The antibacterial effects of ellagic acid on mutans streptococci in comparison to chlorhexidine

الملخص EN

Background : Ellagic acid is a nutraceutical contains a naturally occurring poly-phenol compound that has strong anti-oxidant and anti carcinogenic properties.

According to previous researches ellagic acid has anti-viral, antibacterial.

Mutans streptococci are the most cariogenic microorganism responsible for initiation of dental caries.

Ellagic acid is used in treatment of several diseases besides its effect on periodontal disease.

Materials and Methods : This study was conducted to test the effects of Pomegranate extracts (ellagic acid) on growth, adherence effects and acidogenicity of Mutants Streptococci.

Results The results showed that, all concentration of ellagic acid were effective in inhibition of Mutans Streptococci, The inhibition increased with increasing the concentration of ellagic acid, starting from 0.625 to 10 mg / ml.

However the concentration of ellagic acid 5, 10 mg/ml showed stronger effects than chlorhexidine 0.2% and deionized water.

Conclusion : The effects of both 5, 10 mg / ml ellagic acid were tested on the viability counts of salivary Mutans Streptococci in vitro.

The results showed that, highly significant differences (P < 0.001) were reported between 5, 10 mg / ml of ellagic acid when compared to control in the reduction of viable counts of Mutans Streptococci in vitro, on the other hand, the effective concentrations of ellagic acid 5 and 10 mg/ml were able to inhibit the adherence of mutans streptococci to teeth surface and to retard the process of acid production of mutans streptococci in vitro.

Stimulated salivary samples were collected from (18) volunteers before and after rinsing.

The results showed Chlorhexidine o.2% and de-ionized water after half an hour in reducing the counts of salivary Streptococci and Mutans Streptococci .The antibacterial effects of ellagic acid seem to remain for more than two hours.