Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Activity of Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) Plant Against Representative Oral pathogens

Abstract

Introduction: Oral health is important for general health because, without proper oral hygiene, bacteria can reach levels that might lead to oral infections. Pathogens' resistance to traditional antibiotic products available on the market represents a point of common interest to the scientific community throughout the world and has led to a pressing need to develop new and innovative antimicrobial agents, and among the potential sources of new agents, plants have represented a good alternative. This research is looking at the biological activities of the licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) plant as an antimicrobial agent for oral infections. Method: The antimicrobial activities of various extract fractions prepared from methanol, chloroform, and cyclohexane were evaluated against selected oral pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candia albicans, using the agar-well diffusion method. Results: The results indicated that methanolic extract had antimicrobial activity against the selected isolates, with a zone of inhibition equal to 23mm for S. aureus, 14mm for E. coli, 15mm for P. aeruginosa, and 22mm for C. albicans. Regarding sensitivity, the results showed that S. aureus and C. albicans were the most sensitive isolates toward the tested licorice extracts. The results also showed that licorice extract in chloroform and cyclohexane had no activity against the tested isolates of Gram-negative bacteria. Conclusion: In conclusion, our study provides further evidence of the antimicrobial activity of G. glabra, especially against the selected isolates, and encourages the use of this plant in a suitable dosage form to treat the oral cavity infection that could possibly be caused by the tested microbes.