Antimicrobial Efficacy of Plant Extracts Combined with Endodontic Sealer on the Growth of Oral Pathogen - An In Vitro Study

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of synthetic sealing material (Zinc oxide eugenol based sealer- Pulp canal sealer EWT) and medicinal plant extracts (Glycyrrhiza glabra, Zingiber officinale, Cinnamon zeylanicum) individually and in combination against oral pathogen (Enterococcus faecalis). Methods: The herbal extracts were independently mixed in different ratios with zinc oxide powder, followed by mixing with eugenol to know the effective concentration using antibacterial assay. Different concentrations of each test material were placed into Agar diffusion wells and zones of inhibition were measured against the selected bacteria. The concentration with maximum zone of inhibition for each test material was assessed and grouped as group I- Glycyrrhiza glabra and pulp canal sealer EWT, group II-Zingiber officinale and pulp canal sealer EWT, group III-Cinnamon zeylanicum and pulp canal sealer EWT,Group IV- Plain pulp canal sealer EWT and compared. Results: It was found that all the groups exhibited varied antimicrobial activity against test microorganism. Highest antimicrobial efficacy was noticed in group III followed by group II, group I and least with group IV samples. Conclusion: Zinc oxide eugenol based sealer with plant extracts produced inhibitory zones against tested microorganism. Hence the plant extract can be added as one of the component of endodontic sealer, but further clinical trials need to be conducted before recommending them as sealers.