ORAL HEALTH PROTECTION THROUGH AN AYURVEDA POLY HERBAL FORMULATION- AN IN VITRO STUDY

Abstract

Introduction: Natural medicines prescribed by the traditional Ayurvedic medical system of Sri Lanka have been extensively used to treat and prevent oral diseases.Objective: Here, we investigated the antimicrobial effect of Ayurveda polyherbal formulation, mentioned in authentic text as Gandusha (mouth wash) consisting of Jasminum officinale leaves, Terminalia chebula fruits, Tinospora cordifolia stem, Desmodium triflorum whole plant and Glycyrrhiza glabra roots.Methods: Anti-microbial susceptibility of the poly herbal preparation against common oral pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecalis) was tested using agar well diffusion method. Minimum inhibitory (MIC) was expressed in mg of freeze-dried extract per millilitres of agar solution.Results: The plant extract has considerable antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis. The lowest MIC of 250mg/ml was shown against Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus.Conclusions: The polyherbal formulation is effective in mitigating the bacterial growth and hence enhance the oral health protection.