Investigation of Antibacterial and Antifungal effect of Hydroalcoholic extract of Ephedra Gerardiana; Compartion with Chlorhexidine ۱% on Oral Pathogenesis Microbiome

Background and Aim : Ephedra guardiana is an herbal medicine that has been used in the treatment of asthma, nasal congestion and disorders of the central nervous system.Almost all species of this plant are adapted to the environmental and climatic conditions of Iran and have significant antimicrobial effects.The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of Ephedra gerardiana whit chlorhexidine on normal flora of oral bacteria and Candida albicans in vitro.Methods : The antimicrobial effect of the extracts was determined by broth microdilution method on Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC ۲۹۲۱۲), Streptococcus mutans (ATCC ۳۵۶۶۸), Lactobacilli casei (ATCC ۳۹۳۹۲) and Candida albicans (ATCC ۱۰۲۳۱).Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) andminimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC was determined by using colony count on blood agar medium.Results : Enterococcus faecalis and Streptococcus mutans were resistant to aqueous extractswhile aqueous extract showed inhibitory effect on Lactobacilli casei and Candida albicans.Enterococcus faecalis,was also resistant to alcoholic extracts. However, Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacilli casei and Candida albicans were susceptible toalcoholic extracts.Chlorhexidine ۱%showed inhibitory effect on all bacterial strains and Candida albicans.Conclusion : In the present study, regardless ofEnterococcus faecalis, which was resistant to all of aqueous and alcoholic extracts,Ephedra grardiana extract has antibacterial and antifungal properties and therefore can be effective antimicrobial agent.

Keywords:

Ephedra gerardiana , chlorhexidine ۱% , Antimicrobial effect , Enterococcus faecalis , Streptococcus mutans , Lactobacilli casei , Candida albicans