Antibacterial Activity ofMyristica fragransagainst Oral Pathogens

Abstract

Myristica fragransHoutt is mostly cultivated for spices in Penang Island, Malaysia. The ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts of flesh, mace and seed ofMyristica fragranswas evaluated the bactericidal potential against three Gram-positive cariogenic bacteria (Streptococcus mutansATCC 25175,Streptococcus mitisATCC 6249, andStreptococcus salivariusATCC 13419) and three Gram-negative periodontopathic bacteria (Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitansATCC 29522,Porphyromonas gingivalisATCC 33277, andFusobacterium nucleatumATCC 25586). Antibacterial activities of the extracts was determined by twofold serial microdilution, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) ranging from 1.25 to 640 mg/mL and 0.075 to 40 mg/mL. The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was obtained by subculturing method. Among all extracts tested, ethyl acetate extract of flesh has the highest significant inhibitory effects against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria with mean MIC value ranging from 0.625 to1.25±0.00(SD) mg/mL;P=0.017) and highest bactericidal effects at mean MBC value ranging from 0.625 mg/mL to20±0.00(SD) mg/mL. While for seed and mace ofMyristica fragrans, their ethanol extracts exhibited good antibacterial activity against both groups of test pathogens compared to its ethyl acetate extracts. All of the extracts ofMyristica fragransdid not show any antibacterial activities againstFusobacterium nucleatumATCC 25586. Thus, our study showed the potential effect of ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts from flesh, seed and mace ofMyristica fragransto be new natural agent that can be incorporated in oral care products.