Abstract

IWUEKE, Gertrude C et al. In vitro comparative study of the ethanol and aqueous extracts of Spondias mombim leaves, stem bark and charcoal on Streptococcus mutans. S. Afr. dent. j. [online]. 2024, vol.79, n.2, pp.86-91. ISSN 0375-1562.  http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/sadj.v79i02.16807.

BACKGROUND: Plants are increasingly explored for their potential as antimicrobial agents. Spondias mombin plants have been used in folkloric medicine in the treatment of dental health and general health issues. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To compare zone of inhibition, minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of S. mombin aqueous and ethanol stem bark, leaves and charcoal extracts on Streptococcus mutans. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty grams of each plant part was soaked in 100ml of ethanol and boiled in distilled water and left to stand for 24h with intermittent shaking until evaporated. The dried filtrates were diluted to obtain concentrations of 500mg/ml, 250mg/ ml, 125mg/ml and 62.5mg/ml in duplicates. The zone of inhibition, minimum inhibition concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration tests on S mutans were carried out using a standard procedure. RESULTS: Ethanol and aqueous extracts of S. mombin displayed antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus mutans. The leaves and stem bark extracts demonstrated superior potency compared to charcoal extracts. Ethanol extracts (32.4mm) consistently exhibited stronger inhibitory effects than aqueous extracts (25mm). CONCLUSION: The salient feature of this study justifies the folkloric medicinal use of Spondias mombin plants in the treatment of toothaches and prevention of dental caries.

Keywords : Streptococcus mutans; Spondias mombin; dental caries; dextran; zone of inhibition; minimum bactericidal.

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