Anticaries Activity of Azolla pinnata and Azolla rubra

Abstract

The present study was carried out to investigate anticaries activity of two Azolla species viz., A. pinnata and A. rubra. Inhibitory efficacy of methanolic extract of both Azolla species was tested against six oral isolates of Streptococcus mutans by Agar well diffusion and Minium inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination. The S. mutans isolates were shown to be susceptible to extracts. Among Azolla species, A. pinnata displayed high inhibitory effect against oral isolates when compared to A. rubra as evidenced by wider inhibition zones and low MIC values. These Azolla species can be used to treat dental caries.

Keywords: Azolla Dental caries Agar well diffusion