Determination of Antibacterial Activity of Cacia Nilotica against Porphyromonas Gingivalis and Aggregatibacter Actinomycetemcomitans: An in vitro study

Introduction: Periodontal disease is the most common bacterial disease of the mankind affecting more than 10% of the world’s population. There are various synthetic drugs used now a days to treat periodontal diseases which causes harmful side effects on prolonged use. Development of Multi Drug Resistance (MDR) by bacteria to antibiotics has also become an alarming threat. Hence it is inevitable to develop an innovative and alternative strategy that ensures safety, efficacy, cost effectiveness and easy availability. One such strategy is to explore the enormous wealth of medicinal plants. Objective: To determine the anti – bacterial activity of Acacia nilotica against Porphyromonas gingivalis and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and to impart the significance of herbs in routine life and to identify an alternate natural and safe remedy to periodontal disease. Methods: Extract of “A.nilotica” [powder form] was obtained and was certified to be free from bacteria, yeast/mould by manufacturer after microbial analysis. A.actinomycetemcomitans and P.gingivalis, had been sub cultured from maintained frozen stock. Antibacterial activity of these bacteria against extracts of A.nilotica was determined using disk diffusion method and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration was recorded. Result: A. nilotica showed antibacterial activity for both aqueous and ethanol extracts of which ethanol extracts was more effective than that of aqueous extract. Conclusion: A.nilotica exerts antimicrobial activity against A.actinomycetemcomitans and P.gingivalis. These plant extracts have the potential to be used as antiplaque agents and can be used as an alternate phytotherapeutic for the commercial periodontal drugs available now which are synthetic and causing side effects.