An in vitro evaluation of antibacterial effect of curcumin-loaded chitosan nanoparticle-coated gutta-percha against Staphylococcus aureus.

Abstract

The persistence of microorganisms in root canal system is pivotal factor pertinent to endodontic failure. Even if you meet the highest technical and asepsis standards and also minimize the procedural errors, failures result. The rapidly increasing antibiotic resistance among these bacteria and the adverse effects of these antibiotics along with their toxicity are the main situations indicating the utmost urgent requirement of a safe, effective, natural phytochemical like curcumin with tremendous medicinal potential. Nanoformulations of curcumin are their improved version with enhanced antibacterial activity. A thin layer of nanocurcumin was coated on the surface of gutta-percha cones. To observe the uniformity and adherence of nanocurcumin coating on the exterior surface of gutta-percha, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was done. Further agar gel diffusion technique was used to assess the antimicrobial activity of nanocurcumin-coated gutta-percha cones and conventional gutta-percha cones and their results were compared statistically. The results of SEM study showed a layer of nanocurcumin adhering uniformly to the surface of gutta-percha cones. Furthermore, the nanocurcumin-coated gutta-percha cones demonstrated higher antibacterial activity as compared to the conventional cones. Our study results reveal that the coating of nanocurcumin on gutta-percha cones has augmented their antibacterial activity.