ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF ALOE VERA, CURCUMIN & NUTMEG AGAINST STREPTOCOCCUS MUTANS & LACTOBACILLUS - A NOVEL TRIO - in vitro STUDY

Aim: The aim of the study is to assess the combined antibacterial activity of Aloe vera, Curcumin and Nutmeg against oral pathogens.

Materials and Methods: Fresh extract of aloe vera, curcumin and nutmeg was prepared. Seven test samples were tested in the study, which included i) Aloe vera, ii) Curcumin, iii) Nutmeg individually, iv) Combination of aloe vera & curcumin (1:1), v) Combination of aloe vera & nutmeg (1:1), vi) Combination of curcumin & nutmeg (1:1) and vii) Combination of aloe vera, curcumin& nutmeg (1:1:1).The antibacterial activity of all the samples against Streptococcus mutans & Lactobacillus were determined using agar disc diffusion method. The discs impregnated with different concentrations (500 µg/ml. 750 µg/ml & 1000 µg/ml) of the sterile samples and 20 µl of Standard antibiotic (Ampicillin) disc were placed in agar plates. The plates were incubated at 37ºC for 24 hrs. The antimicrobial activity was determined by measuring the diameter of the zone of inhibition.

Results: Nutmeg individually showed higher antibacterial effect against S. mutans at 1000µg/ml, followed by aloe vera & curcumin. Combination of aloe vera & nutmeg and combination of curcumin & nutmeg at 1000 µg/ml showed greater inhibitory effect against S. mutans, when compared to combination of aloe vera and curcumin. Aloe vera individually showed higher antibacterial effect against Lactobacillus at 1000 µg/ml, followed by nutmeg & curcumin Combination of aloe vera & curcumin at 1000 µg/ml showed greater inhibitory effect against Lactobacillus, when compared to the other two combinations. Combination of all three herbs showed highest antibacterial activity against both the test organisms.

Conclusion: It is evident that this novel herbal trio is effective as an antibacterial agent against oral pathogens such as S. mutans and Lactobacillus.