Comparison of Antibacterial Efficacy of Calcium Hydroxide with and without Addition of Herbal Medicaments against Enterococcus Faecalis

Aim: The aim of this study is to compare the antibacterial efficacy of Calcium hydroxide with and without addition of herbal medicaments like turmeric and neem extracts against Enterococcus faecalis. Materials and Methodology: Calcium hydroxide and herbal extracts were prepared and the samples were divided into 6 groups. Group A ? Calcium hydroxide + saline, Group B ? Calcium hydroxide + Turmeric extract, Group C ? Calcium hydroxide + Neem extract, GROUP A1 ? Normal saline, GROUP B1 ? Turmeric extract, GROUP C1 - Neem extract. Enterococcus faecalis are grown in Brain heart infusion broth (BHI). 3 wells, 4mm in diameter are punched in each media plate and are filled with respective groups of equal volume. After incubation for 24-48hrs, at 37˚C, inhibition zones are measured with a sliding caliper. Results: All the statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 18. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Comparison of mean zone of inhibition was done using ANOVA with post-hoc Games Howell test. Conclusion: Within the limitations of the study, all materials showed antibacterial activity against Enterococcus faecalis but Calcium hydroxide and saline combination showed best efficacy against E.faecalis while Turmeric showed least efficacy.