Antibacterial Evaluation of Azadirachta indica Ethanolic Leaf Extract against Selected Acidogenic Oral Bacteria Causing Dental Plaque in Fixed Orthodontic Appliance Patients ? An Invitro Study

The objective of our study is to evaluate the antibacterial activity of ethanolic leaf extract of Azadirachta Indica against selected acidogenic oral bacteria that causes dental plaque in fixed orthodontic appliance patients. Azadirachta Indica is used as a traditional medicine from antiquity. Various parts of the plant possess medicinal value for curing diseases. the ethanolic extract of Azadirachta Indica leaf were used to find out the antibacterial property against streptococcus mutans, streptococcus mitis streptococcus sanguis ,streptococcus salivarius and Lactobacillus acidophilus by using the Broth culture method. The extract exhibited significant antibacterial activity against streptococcus mitis, streptococcus mutans ,streptococcus sanguis & streptococcus salivarius with minimum bactericidal concentration of 250 μg/ml, 500 μg/ml , 1mg/ml & 5mg/ml whereas, the extract does not show antibacterial activity against Lactobacillus acidophilus.