Antibacterial Effects of Flouride Varnish Containing Ocinum sanctum and Graptophyllum pictum L. Griff Leaves Extracts Against Streptococcus mutans

Abstract

Caries is a disease that attacks the hard tissue of teeth that is demineralized due to the presence of organic acids produced by Streptococcus mutans. Fluoride varnish is topical therapy for caries prevention that can remineralize tooth surfaces. The addition of antibacterial agents to fluoride varnishes, especially those derived from natural ingredients, needs to be done to increase the ability to inhibit the growth of Streptococcus mutans. Based on phytochemical studies, the leaves extracts of ruku or Ocimum Sanctum Linn and wungu leaves or Graptophyllum pictum L. Griff can inhibit the growth of Streptococcus mutans in vitro. This study aimed to evaluate the inhibitory effect of fluoride varnish that containing antibacterial agents on Streptococcus mutans and its fluor ion release. The antibacterial agents used were 0.1 g/mL of ruku leaves extract, and 0.1 g/mL of wungu leaves extract, and MI Varnish as a control. The inhibitory strength of fluoride varnish was measured by a zone of inhibition using the agar disk diffusion method and fluoride ions were measured by Ion-Selective Electrode (ISE). Fluoride varnish with ruku leaves extract has the highest inhibition zone at a diameter of 19.7 mm. The highest cumulative fluoride ion release was obtained from fluoride varnish with addition ruku leaves extract at 280.98 mg/L in four hours. It can be concluded that fluoride varnish with Ocimum sanctum Linn as the antibacterial agent in this research was the most effective formulation against Streptococcus mutans and has the highest fluor ion release in four hours.