Antibacterial effect and healing potential of nutmeg oil for chemically induced oral ulcerations in rabbits

Abstract

Background and objective: Myristica fragrans is an aromatic green tree usually growing to around 5-13 meters high, and their seeds (nutmegs) is firm broadly ovoid. The objectives of the study were to find the concentration of nutmeg oil that has maximum antibacterial action against Staphylococcus aureus and to evaluate the healing potential of this concentration on a chemically induced oral ulceration in the rabbit's cheek mucosa. Methods: Different concentrations of nutmeg oil were prepared and their antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus was determined by disk diffusion method. The chemically induced oral ulcerations in rabbit's cheek mucosa were achieved by ethanol, and then these ulcerations were irrigated with 0.5ml (5%) of nutmeg oil twice daily. Biopsies were taken after four and eight days of the experiment, processed and stained by hematoxylin and eosin. Results: The concentration 100% of nutmeg oil and the dimethyl sulfoxide; which was used as diluents for preparing different concentrations of nutmeg oil, showed no inhibition zone for Staphylococcus aureus. The concentration (5%) showed maximum inhibitory zone (16.8mm) for the microorganism which was parallel to the effects of amoxicillin (positive control), both with highly significant action (P<0.05). The histopathological pictures showed a delay in the healing process of oral ulcers in rabbits treated by this concentration. Conclusion: The concentration of nutmeg oil (5%) has a good antibacterial action against Staphylococcus aureus, but it causes a delay in the healing process of oral ulcerations.