Evaluation of the Ability of Barberry Liquid Extract to Prevent the Formation of Microbial Biofilm by Enterococcus Faecalis: An In Vitro Study

Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) is one of the microbes of the normal flora of the oral cavity, which is one of the common factors in the failure of root canal treatment. This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the ability of barberry extract to prevent the formation of microbial biofilm by E. faecalis.

Initially, E. faecalis was cultured simultaneously with barberry bark and root extract, and biofilm formation was evaluated after 48 h. In the second stage of the active culture of the bacteria (48 h), all root and bark concentrations had similar growth inhibition with the control group. The same results were observed after two weeks. Fluorescence staining with SYPRO® Ruby (Invitrogen, USA, 2010) was used to confirm the formation of biofilm. Subsequently, all samples were examined by fluorescence microscope, and the results were reported using Relative Fluorescence Unit.

In the simultaneous cultivation of barberry and E. faecalis, root (30%), growth medium (50%), and bark (30%) had similar growth inhibition with the control group. After adding barberry bark and root extract (48 h), all concentrations of barberry bark and root showed similar growth inhibition with the control group. After two weeks of E. faecalis culture, the results were the same as those of the first group. However, wide and thick biofilms were formed in the samples without treatment and those treated with normal saline.

Due to the positive effects of barberry bark and root extract, it can be used to sterilize dental canals and can be considered a suitable alternative to hypochlorite.