The Inhibition of Green Okra Fruit (Abelmoschus Esculentus) Extract Against Streptococcus Viridans Root Canals of Teeth

Abstract

Background: Streptococcus viridans is the most frequently isolated bacterium from infected root canals (63%) and the leading cause of life-threatening sub-acute endocarditis (35%). The use of 2.5% NaOCl as a root canal irrigation material has disadvantages, it is a bad smell and taste, causing allergies, irritating and toxic, so other alternatives are needed. The green okra fruit extract has secondary antibacterial metabolites such as flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, and terpenoids. Purpose: This study aims to determine the inhibition of green okra fruit extract against S. viridans. Methods: This research is an experimental laboratory in vitro with a post-test-only control group design. Antibacterial test using the disk diffusion method which consisted of 5 research groups (green okra extract with a concentration of 1,56%, 3,125%, 6,25%, 12,5%, and 2,5% NaOCl) and 4 repetitions. The result was analyzed using non-parametric statistical tests. Results: The average diameter of inhibition zone of each concentration of green okra fruit extract is 1,56% (0 mm ), 3,125% (0 mm), 6,25% (14,58 mm), 12,5% (18,19 mm), and 2,5% NaOCl (23,55 mm). The Kruskal-Wallis test showed a significance value of less than 0.05 which meant that there was a difference in inhibition in all groups. The Mann-Whitney test showed that there were significant differences between the study groups (α<0,05), except for the green okra extract with a concentration of 1,56% with 3,125%. Conclusion: Green okra fruit extract (Abelmoschus esculentus) has inhibition against S. viridans at concentrations of 6,25% (14,58 mm) and 12,5% (18,19 mm) including the strong category.