A Study on Phytochemicals from Medicinal Plants Against Multidrug Resistant Streptococcus mutans

Abstract

Microbial drug resistance is creating severe problems worldwide. Medicinal important plants are a rich source of phytochemicals. These active compounds have antimicrobial and anticancer properties. Over a period of years, various plants based active compounds and its active principles have been analyzed for phytochemicals with antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans but this study was conducted on phytochemicals against multi-drug resistant S. mutans from dental plaque samples. Identification and isolation of S. mutans from dental plaque was done by using standard tests like Gram staining, phenol red test and blood agar hemolysis. Sensitivity/resistance pattern was done by antimicrobial sensitivity test by Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion test. Phytochemical extraction from Myristica fragrans (nutmeg) seed (MFS) and leaves (MFL), cloves (Syzigium aromaticam), Punica granatum fruit peel (PGP), Morus alba L. plant type I (MLP I) and M. alba L. plant type II leaves (MLP II) were done using solvent maceration with methanol, ethanol and water. Extracts were tested for antimicrobial properties against multidrug resistant S. mutans using antibiotic sensitivity test by agar well diffusion method and then were subjected for screening and identification of active phytochemical groups by chemical tests and high performance thin layer chromatography. The confirmatory analysis of the active compounds was done by using chromatography techniques: HPLC and GCMS. In the screening of medicinal plants clove bud, nutmeg seed and pomegranate peel showed effective antimicrobial activity against MDR S. mutans. The minimum inhibitory concentration for pomegranate peel was found to be 20 mg/ml, for clove 10 mg/ml and for Myristica seed 15 mg/ml.