Assessing the Effects of Different Plant Extracts on Primary Dental Plaque Colonizer and Human Fibroblast Cells

The success of plant extracts in ceasing and inhibiting Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) growth was investigated. This can provide an innovative strategy to control the progression of plaque associated diseases (periodontal diseases and dental caries) by using natural sources. Aim of work: To screen some herbal plant extracts for their inhibitory activity on Streptococcus mutans bacterial growth, its biofilm formation ability and measuring their Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC). Methodology: This experimental study tested the antibacterial activity of fourteen prepared plant extracts against streptococcus mutans, including their Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and inhibiting its biofilm formation using disc diffusion method with some modifications and ELISA assay plate reader respectively. Cytotoxicity assay was used for calculating the proper extract dose concentration that does not have a toxic effect on human fibroblast cells. Results: The results showed the ability of 71.4 % of the tested extracts to cease the bacterial growth. The pattern of effectiveness can be ordered as follows: clove = pomegranate peel? sage? anise ? cardamom = thyme = myrrh ? ginger ? mint = turmeric. The recorded MIC for pomegranate peel, clove and sage was 1, 1 and 0.5 % respectively. The clove extract was able to inhibit the biofilm formation compared with pomegranate peel and sage which didn't. The clove extract showed 78.7 % percentage of biofilim inhibition compared with positive control (S. mutans with no additions).