ANTIMICROBIAL EFFICACY OF PASSION FRUIT EXTRACT AGAINST ENTEROCOCCUS FAECALIS – AN IN VITRO STUDY

Abstract

Purpose: Elimination of infectious microorganisms that cause pulpal and periapical diseases through biomechanical preparation and irrigation is mandatory for the success of endodontic therapy. Although many irrigants were used before, a novel approach in the field of endodontics began with the advent of herbal extracts. Passion fruit is an exotic climber possessing many antimicrobial, antifungal and antioxidant properties that fulfil some desirable properties required for an ideal root canal irrigant. Considering these, the study was aimed to compare and assess the antimicrobial efficacy of different concentrations of Passion fruit extract with saline and NaOCl against E. Faecalis. Methods: 80 single rooted premolars following the inclusion and exclusion criteria were taken for the study and was divided randomly in to four groups namely Group A- 30% Passion fruit extract, Group B- 20% Passion fruit extract, Group C- 0.9% Normal saline, Group D- 5.25% Sodium hypochlorite. Before and after irrigation CFU were calculated after canal preparation and irrigation with test and control irrigants was done. All the groups were compared and the data’s were analysed statistically. Results: Group A 30% Passion fruit extract showed a comparable result with Group D- 5.25% Sodium hypochlorite and was statistically significant Conclusion: 20% and 30% Passion fruit extract was found effective in reducing the bacterial load and 30% Passion fruit extract was comparable with 5.25% Sodium hypochlorite