Chemical Composition and Effectiveness of Ocimum basilicum L. Extracts on the Adhesion of Candida albicans and C. dubliniensis on Acrylic Surfaces of Removable Orthodontic Appliances

Abstract

The outbreak of diseases caused by Candida species is growing. These opportunistic pathogens can produce biofilm on non-biological surfaces, such as removable orthodontic appliances. Over the past two decades, there has been a significant increase in resistance to several types of antifungal drugs. Recently, there is a growing interest in using herbal plants and their extracts as an alternative to antifungal drugs. A common plant is basil, which belongs to Lamiaceae family. This study aimed to determine the effect of basil extracts on the adhesion of C. albicans and C. dubliniensis to acrylic surfaces of removable orthodontic appliances. Basil dried leaves were macerated in ethanol to extract its constituent, and then the extract was dissolved in water and fractioned by other solvents, including n-hexane and ethyl acetate, successively. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the extracts against standard species of Candida were determined by the broth microdilution method based on clinical and laboratory standard institute (CLSI) protocol. Afterward, adherence and biofilm formation tests were done on acrylic specimens in the vicinity of proper concentration of fractions with the help of the Crystal Violet and spectrophotometry method. MIC for ethyl acetate fraction, n-hexane fraction, ethanol crude extract, and the aqueous fraction was 1024, 2048, ≥2048, >2048 µg/ml, respectively. Inhibition of adherence and biofilm formation for Candida albicans and Candida dubliniensis in the vicinity of ethyl acetate fraction was 73% and 78%, respectively. In the vicinity of n-hexane fraction was 65% and 78%, respectively. Two fractions could inhibit the growth, adherence, and biofilm formation of two Candida species.