Antagonistic Potential of Lophophora williamsii, Vinca minor and Hydrastis canadensis against Dental Caries Associated Bacteria

Introduction: Dental caries is a bacterial illness that causes localized disintegration and loss of calcified components in the teeth. Different plant extracts have been used to assess the anti-bacterial activity against the pathogens known to induced dental caries.

Objective: The aim of this research is to determine the antibacterial potential of Lophophora williamsii, Vinca minor, and Hydrastis canadensis against dental caries associated bacteria.

Methodology: The antibacterial activity of aqueous and methanol extracts of Lophophora williamsii (LW), Vinca minor (VM), and Hydrastis Canadensis (HC) was studied. Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), and Staphylococcus aureus were the bacteria employed (S. aureus). The disk diffusion method was used to determine the tendency of bacterial strains towards the two extracts.

Results: S. pyogenes and S. aureus were the most susceptible bacteria, whereas P. aeruginosa was the least susceptible. The methanol extracts of Vinca minor (VM) and Hydrastis Canadensis (HC) had the highest antibacterial activity against S. pyogenes and S. aureus, whereas the aqueous extract of Lophophora williamsii (LW) had the lowest antibacterial activity against (L. acidophilus) and (L. acidophilus) (P. aeruginosa). Methanolic extracts of almost all materials outperformed aqueous extracts in suppressing pathogenic bacteria growth but were less effective than ciprofloxacin extracts used as positive controls. All of the samples had saponins, according to phytochemical analysis. Vinca minor and Hydrastis Canadensis had alkaloids, while Lophophora williamsii contained flavonoids. Only Vinca minor and Hydrastis Canadensis contained tannins, respectively.

Conclusion: Methanolic extracts of practically all materials suppressed pathogenic bacteria growth better than aqueous extracts, although not as well as ciprofloxacin extracts used as positive controls. Plant herbal blends have made major contributions to human health and well-being; as a result, plants have long been seen as a source of hope for novel therapeutic compounds.