Bactericidal and Smear Layer Removal Efficacy of Herbal Alternatives Against Enterococcus Faecalis Dentinal Biofilm - An ex-vivo Study

Arunajatesan Subbiya,Kesavaram Padmavathy,Krishnamurthy Roopchander,Paramasivam Vivekanandan,Krishnan Mahalakshmi

doi:10.1590/pboci.2020.076

Arunajatesan Subbiya, Kesavaram Padmavathy + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/pboci.2020.076

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Abstract

Objective: To assess the antibacterial and smear layer removal ability of Trigonella foenum , Syzygium cumini , Terminalia chebula seed extracts against E. faecalis dentinal biofilm. Material and Methods: Agar well diffusion, micro broth dilution assay and time-kill curve assay were performed to determine the antibacterial activity. The ability of the herbal extracts to remove the smear layer on the root canal surface was assessed by scanning electron microscopy . Results: Antibacterial activity was observed for the extracts of S. cumini and T. chebula on E. faecalis dentinal biofilm and its planktonic counterparts. The smear layer was efficiently removed by the seed extracts of T. chebula alone. Seed extracts of T. foenum neither possessed antibacterial effect nor smear layer removal ability . Conclusion: The extracts of T. chebula seeds may replace conventional irrigant due to its antibacterial properties and smear layer removing the ability. The extracts of S. cumini may be used as an intracanal medicament as it exhibited a bactericidal effect against the E. faecalis dentinal biofilm following 18 hours of incubation.

Highlights

Enterococcus faecalis, gram-positive facultative anaerobic cocci, is rarely seen in primary infection but very commonly present in secondary infection and causes endodontic failure
Objective: To assess the antibacterial and smear layer removal ability of Trigonella foenum, Syzygium cumini, Terminalia chebula seed extracts against E. faecalis dentinal biofilm
The ability of the herbal extracts to remove the smear layer on the root canal surface was assessed by scanning electron microscopy

Summary

Introduction

Enterococcus faecalis, gram-positive facultative anaerobic cocci, is rarely seen in primary infection but very commonly present in secondary infection and causes endodontic failure. The biofilm formation of E. faecalis can impede its elimination when using conventional irrigating solutions [2]. They invade the dentinal tubules and are more resistant to intracanal medicaments during endodontic treatment [3]. Enterococci possess a number of virulence factors that permit adherence to host cells and extracellular matrix, facilitate tissue invasion, effect immunomodulation, cause toxin-mediated damage and withstands harsh environment [4]. Thirty-five percent of the canal system is left untouched by endodontic instruments [6]. Instrumentation with adequate irrigation is necessary to complete the cleaning process and reduce the microbial load within the root canal system. The most commonly used irrigants, which possess antimicrobial properties, include sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and chlorhexidine [8]

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