Abstract

ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF THE ETHANOLIC EXTRACTS OF ALLIUM SATIVUM L. BULBS AND ZINGIBER OFFICINALE ROSCOE RHIZOMES AS IRRIGATING SOLUTIONS

Basma A. Alrazhi, Alaa H. Diab, Somaia A. Essa,  Geraldine M. Ahmed and Shahira M. Ezzat*

ABSTRACT

Irrigation of the root canals with antibacterial solutions is a mandatory step to reduce or eliminate micro-organisms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of garlic and ginger as irrigating solutions. The ethanolic extracts of garlic bulbs, ginger rhizomes and 2% solution of CHX were prepared. Forty single rooted teeth canal were divided into 3 groups according to the irrigant used, in addition to the positive control group where the roots were irrigated with sterile distilled water and a negative control group in which the roots were uninfected with E. faecalis. The teeth were filled with 30 μl of E. faecalis suspension and incubated for 1 week at 37ºC. They were prepared mechanically using protaper rotary files both shaper and finisher, each root was irrigated successively with 1 ml of the tested irrigant after each file and then 3 ml as a final flush. After chemo- mechanical preparation, samples were evaluated for antibacterial evaluation using brain heart infusion agar method. The components of the ethanolic extracts of garlic bulbs and ginger rhizomes were identified using LC/ESI-MS analysis. The highest antibacterial activity was observed in ginger extract followed by 2% CHX solution, and garlic extract. Zingerone, gingerol and [6]-shogaol were the major components determined in ginger extract using LC/ESI-MS, while garlic extract was rich in di-2-propenyldisulfide, methyl-2-propenyl trisulfide, 3-vinyl-1,2-dithiocyclohex- 4-ene and di-2-propenyltrisulfide. The ethanolic extracts of both garlic bulbs and ginger rhizomes can be used as endodontic irrigants during the root canal treatment for their antimicrobial effects.

Keywords: CHX, Enterococcus faecalis, garlic extract, ginger extract, LC/ESI-MS.