ANTIBACTERIAL EFFICACY OF ROSEMARY EXTRACT ON PERIODONTAL PATHOGENS: AN IN-VITRO ANALYSIS

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Inadequate plaque control is the primary causative factor in the development of gingivitis and periodontitis. Rosemary is a member of the mint family Lamiaceae rich in polyphenolic compounds with an array of potential health benets including anti-inammatory, antioxidative and antimicrobial activity. The present study was carried out with an aim of assessment of Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and Minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of pure leaf extract of rosemary on P.gingivalis (Pg), F.nucleatum (Fn) T.forsythia (Tf) and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa), key periodontal pathogens. MATERIALAND METHODS: By using serial dilution assay with thioglycollate broth by repeating up to 10-9 dilution for each drug in which cultures of chosen organisms were added and then tubes were incubated in anaerobic jar and observed for turbidity to assess Minimum Inhibitory Concentration. First 3 or 5 dilutions tubes which were sensitive in MIC has taken and incubated for 24 hrs then the next day colony count was taken to assess MBC and seen whether there was bactericostatic or bactericidal effect of the extract against chosen microorganisms. RESULTS: MIC values ranged from 0.78 μg/ml to 1.2 μg/ml and MBC values ranged from 1.5 μg/ml to 2.6 μg/ml. CONCLUSION: Pure leaf extract of rosemary have shown antimicrobial activity against all the tested microorganisms & further in-vivo research should be carried out for the treatment of chronic periodontitis.