Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Dental Materials Research Center, School of Dentistry, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
2
Department of Bacteriology and Virology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
3
Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center (CMBRC), Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
4
Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, School of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
5
Department of Social Medicine, School of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
Abstract
Removing the bacteria, including Enterococcus faecalis, from the root canal is one of the important aims in
endodontic treatment.We aimed to compare the antibacterial activity of Chlorhexidine with two natural drugs.
The antibacterial activities of three different propolis extracts (alcohol concentrations: 0, 15, 40%) and Aloe vera
gel on E. faecalis were compared using three methods: disk diffusion, microdilution and direct contact test. In
addition to the above bacterium, the Aloe vera gel effect on Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus mutans
was evaluated. Disk diffusion test revealed that propolis ethanolic extracts (the alcohol concentration of 15 and
40%) and Aloe vera gel have antibacterial activities but aqueous extract of propolis did not show any effect in
this test. The MICs for propolis ethanolic extracts, Aloe vera gel and aqueous extract of propolis (0% alcohol)
were 313 µg/ml, 750 µg/ml, 2250 µg/ml, and ≥ 500 µg/ml respectively, much higher than the Chlorhexidine
one. In direct contact test, contrary to Aloe vera, all three propolis extracts showed antibacterial effects on E.
faecalis. The Aloe vera gel also showed significant antibacterial effect on S.aureus and S.mutans. The
hydroalcoholic extracts of propolis and Aloe vera gel had antibacterial effects on E. faecalis, however, propolis
is more potent than Aloe vera. The antibacterial effect of Aloe vera on S. aureus and S. mutans is low (MIC ≥
2250 µg/ml). Appropriate concentrations of alcoholic extracts of propolis and some fractions of Aloe vera gel
might be good choices for disinfecting the root canal in endodontic treatments.
Keywords