Antibacterial effect of propolis derived from tribal region on Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus: An in vitro study.

Abstract

The study aimed at investigating in vitro antimicrobial activity of ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) and water extract of propolis against two main cariogenic oral pathogens: Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus. Propolis was obtained from beehives in the Jhabua region of India. Ethanolic and water extracts were prepared at concentrations of 5% and 20% weight/volume (w/v). To support the results, a positive control (chlorhexidine 0.2%) and a negative control (distilled water) were used. S. mutans was cultured on brain-heart infusion agar and L. acidophilus was cultured on De Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe agar. The results showed that at concentrations of 5% and 20%, EEP was effective against S. mutans and L. acidophilus. However, at similar concentrations, water extract was effective only against L. acidophilus. The highest activity was shown by chlorhexidine (0.2%) with mean zones of inhibition of 13.9 mm and 15.1 mm against S. mutans and L. acidophilus, respectively. It can be concluded that the propolis extracted from tribal regions of Jhabua possesses antibacterial efficacy against S. mutans and L. acidophilus.