Using Colocynth Extract as an Antibacterial Against Tooth Decay
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59675/M324Keywords:
Drug-resistant germs, Citrullus colocynthis, Dental caries, PhytochemicalsAbstract
The past few decades have witnessed the emergence of drug-resistant germs, which has contributed to the search for bioactive substances effective against these microbes. Plant-derived phytochemicals, which can be taken from any part of the plant, including the root, stem or flower, have shown beneficial therapeutic properties. Citrullus colocynthis's ethanolic extract has been observed to have inhibitory effects on Streptococcus mutans. The aim of the current literature review was to explore how dental caries can be treated using herbal products and their secondary metabolites. The studies included in our review were all conducted either in the laboratory or inside the body to determine the extent of the effect of this plant on bacteria. The number of original studies using different extracts of Citrullus colocynthis was 6, with the highest concentration was (16.384 mg/mL) and the lowest MBC (1.5 mg/mL) aqueous and ethanolic extract, respectively, while the lowest MIC was 0.37 mg/mL aqueous extracts, and the highest 1 mg/mL ethanolic extract. We concluded in the current study that further studies are needed on this topic to test the possibility of using the extract safely internally and externally, given the emergence of bacteria resistant to known antibiotics.
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