Background: Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) is a prototypical resistant bacterium in root canal infections and a leading cause of endodontic treatment failure. German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) flower extract has been used as a traditional medicine to treat infections. The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial efficacy of chamomile extract on the removal of E. faecalis root canal biofilm. Materials and Methods: Chamomile flower extract was prepared and subjected to detailed chemical analysis. For the in vitro biofilm model, human mandibular premolars (n=48) with 18-20mm working length were used. Root canal preparation was performed using the ProTaper® Next system. Each sample was split longitudinally and reassembled within a pre-prepared silicone matrix, and a mature E. faecalis biofilm was grown for seven days. Samples were randomised into four groups (n=12 for each arm) based on the type of irrigant protocol comprising normal saline, 3% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), dual irrigation with 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and 3% NaOCl, and chamomile extract. After irrigation, residual biofilms were measured in (n=9/group) using densiometric measurements. Observational analysis of residual biofilm was performed in (n=3/group) using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Results: Phytochemical investigations showed that chamomile extract is rich in antimicrobial components such as flavonoids, polyphenolic compounds, tannins, and others. Spectrophotometry analysis showed a statistically significant difference between the normal saline group with mean optical density (OD)= 0.63044; ±0.106 and each of EDTA and NaOCl group (mean OD=0.35922; ±0.091), chamomile group (mean OD=0.37611; ±0.106) at p<0.001, and the NaOCl group (mean OD=0.46344; ±0.096) at p<0.01. No statistically significant difference between chamomile group and NaOCl and the dual EDTA and NaOCl irrigation protocol. SEM images showed removal of E. faecalis biofilm and smear layer was in the order: dual EDTA and NaOCl irrigation>chamomile extract>NaOCl. Conclusions: Chamomile flower extract has an apparent removal efficacy of E. faecalis biofilm from root canals. It may be a promising antimicrobial material to be used as a natural endodontic irrigation solution.
A study was conducted to evaluate the antibacterial effect of Phyllanthus emblica extract (ethanol:methanol, 1:1) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli at different concentrations, i.e. 0.625, 1.25, 2.50, 5.0, 10.0 and 20.0 mg/ml. The antibacterial activity was determined by the agar well diffusion method to investigate the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). The alcoholic extract of Phyllanthus emblica had the highest antibacterial activity at 20 mg/ml and 5 mg/ml except for Pseudomonas aeruginosa where the value of inhibition was between 20 and 10 mg/ml. The MIC concentrations were mostly very high and ranged from 5 to 1.25 mg/ml, while the MBC range fro
... Show MoreThis experiment was conducted in order to estimate azulene and apigenin in chamomile flowers. Ethanol extracts were examined singly or in combination with some drugs in their biological activity against some pathogens causing skin infection. Ethanol extract was applied at a concentration of 40 mg/ml for the treatment of induced skin infection of mice. Among the topicals used, Claforan was found the most effective on microorganisms causing skin diseases; ethanol extract was more effective than the drug Candimazole solution 1%. HPLC was used for the determination of azulene and apigenin active compounds of chamomile plant.
ABSTRACT Background: The main goal of chemomechanical endodontic treatment is the reduction or elimination of microorganisms from root canal system. The intracanal medicaments were used to enhance the disinfection process. This study was conducted to evaluate the antibacterial effect of thymus vulgaris, tea tree essential oils and cold pressed black seed oil (BSO) against E.faecalis. Materials and methods: E.faecalis was isolated from ten patients in need for endodontic treatment. The sensitivity of E.faecalis to the tested oils was evaluated in different concentrations in agar well diffusion method and compared with calcium hydroxide. The sensitivity of E.faecalis to vapor of the tested oils was also evaluated, in disk vaporization method
... Show MoreBackground: Antibacterial action of root canal filling is an important factor for successful root canal treatment, so the aim of the study was to identify and to compare the antimicrobial effect of new sealer (GuttaFlow) to commonly used endodontic sealers (AH Plus, Apexit and EndoFill) against four endodontic microbes. Materials and methods: Twenty patients aged (30-40) years with infected root canals were selected. Four types of microorganisms were isolated from root canals (E faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, E coli and Candida albicans) and cultured on Mueller Hinton agar Petri-dishes. After identification and isolation of bacterial species, agar diffusion method was used to assess the antibacterial action of four contemporary endodontic
... Show MoreBackground: Multidrug-resistant (MDR) enterococci have become a major problem in recent times and have been reported increasingly around the world. Lytic phages infect bacteria leading to rapid host death with limited risk of phage transduction, underlining the increasing interest in potential phage therapy in the future. Objective (s): The aim of this study is to use phage therapy as alternative approach for treatment of Enterococcus faecalis infections that recorded as MDR in Iraq to tackle this problem. Materials and Methods: Thirty E. faecalis isolates were collected from patients with different infectious diseases such as urinary tract infection (UTI), diabetic foot, septicemia, and wound infections. The isolation of specific l
... Show MoreBackground. Endodontic infections caused by remaining biofilm following disinfection with chemical fluids encourage secondary bacterial infection; hence, employing laser pulses to activate the fluids is advised to improve microbial biofilm clearance. This study investigated the performance of Er,Cr:YSGG laser in photon-induced photoacoustic streaming (PIPS) agitation of 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) to enhance the removal of mature Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) biofilms in complex root canal systems. Methods. The mesial roots of the lower first and second molars were separated and inoculated with E. faecalis bacteria for 30 days. The roots were irrigated with 5.25% NaOCl, some of them were agitated with passive ultrasonic
... Show MoreThe first aim of this paper was to evaluate the push-out bond strength of the gutta-percha coating of Thermafil and GuttaCore and compare it with that of gutta-percha used to coat an experimental hydroxyapatite/polyethylene (HA/PE) obturator. The second aim was to assess the thickness of gutta-percha around the carriers of GuttaCore and HA/PE obturators using microcomputed tomography (
Background: Cleaning and shaping of root canals successfully requires high volumes of irrigation solutions that can only be applied to the apical third of root canal after enlargement with instrument, so the aim of this study was to evaluate and to compare the efficiency of Maxi-I-probe (side-vented needle), in the amount of root canal irrigant penetration for five different master apical file sizes (MAF) and four different degrees of coronal and middle thirds flaring. Materials and Methods: Two hundred resin blocks with simulated root canals were used in this study and divided into 5 major groups (40 for each) based on the size of master apical files (#20, #25, #30, #35, and #40). Each major group was subdivided into 4 subgroups depending
... Show MoreFlaxseed from the flax plant (Linum usitatissimum), which has been cultivated for domestic use since prehistoric times. This study aims to investigate presence of antibacterial effect of flaxseed extract against selected oral pathogen in-vitro.
The ability of microorganisms to attach to living and non-living surfaces and create a biofilm is the cause of numerous long-lasting illnesses, as well as their strong resistance to drugs. Bacterial biofilms consist of intricate assemblies of immobile bacteria. These are located in an extracellular matrix and adhere to various surfaces for a long period. The present study evaluated the antibacterial effectiveness of Plantago major extract against Staphylococcus aureus biofilm. The specimens analyzed in this investigation were skin infections of clinical origin. The current study was not previously studied, particularly in terms of S. aureus biofilm breakdown and inhibition. The disc diffusion method was used to test the antimicrobial activi
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