Antibacterial activity of Methanol and Chloroform extracts of Spilanthes oleracea plant on isolated pathogenic oral bacteria

Abstract

Dental caries is an infectious and transmissible disease caused by the colonization of tooth surfaces by normal oral flora, including  Streptococcus and Lactobacillus species. Routine use of broad spectrum antibiotics in the treatment of dental caries including postoperative  prophylactic use, has led to widespread bacteria resistance to antibiotics, a situation that currently pose a global threat to public health. Spilanthes oleracea, popularly known as the toothache plant, is widely used for the treatment of toothache, sore throat and gum infections. Although a large number of antimicrobial effects have been reported against gram positive and gram negative species, only a small number of S.oleracea have been studied for biochemical activity. The crude extracts of S. oleracea showed very potent antimicrobial activity against a population of isolated  pathogenic oral organisms. 20mg/ml each of crude methanol and  dichloromethane extracts of S. oleracea leaves produced average zones of inhibition ranging between 21mm and 29mm (in diameter) against  isolated Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus species, while 20mg/ml of crude methanol extracts of S. oleracea flowers produced average zones of inhibition of 28mm and 25mm (in diameter) against S. mutans and Lactobacillus species respectively. Findings indicate that polar and  non-polar extracts of S. oleracea could potentially function as an  alternative to synthetic antibiotics in the treatment of oral infections and dental caries.

Keywords: Cariogenic, dental caries, antimicrobial, pharmacological activities