Evaluation of Propolis as Intracanal Medicament against Enterococcus faecalis

Abstract

The present study aimed to comparatively evaluate Propolis, Calcium hydroxide Ca(OH)2, Chlorhexidine gel 2% (CHX) intracanal medicaments, and a mixture of Propolis with Ca(OH)2 and CHX against Enterococcus faecalis. Material and methods: One hundred and eight single-rooted extracted human teeth were used; all teeth were cut 14 mm away from the apex and prepared until size 25 master apical file. Samples were sterilized and dipped in Brain Heart Infusion Broth (BHI) contaminated with E. faecalis for 21 days at 37˚C. Samples removed, divided into six groups, injected with different medicaments as following: group A: Propolis; group B: Ca(OH)2; group C: CHX; group D: Propolis + Ca(OH)2; group E: Propolis + CHX, group F: control group with no medicament, teeth sealed with filling material and nail varnish for three times periods 2, 7 and 10 days. After each time period, samples were opened and irrigated with normal saline. H-file applied to the full length to obtain dentine chips, the files collected into test tubes containing sterile BHI and stored for 48 hours under anaerobic conditions. Samples were then removed and culture in Mueller-Hinton agar, then samples incubated for one week at 37˚C after which colony forming units counted using colony counter, statistical analysis was done with ANOVA and post hoc use LSD. Results: Propolis, 2% Chlorhexidine gel, and a mixture of Propolis with Calcium hydroxide were effective against E. faecalis, Calcium hydroxide, and a mixture of Propolis Chlorhexidine was not effective against it. Conclusions: Propolis showed a promising role as an intracanal medicament.