The antibacterial effect of herbal alternative, green tea and Salvadora Persica (Siwak) extracts on Entercoccus faecalis

Background: Disinfection and shaping of the canal with a combination of chem¬ical agents and endodontic instruments play an important role in the success of endodontic therapy. Eliminating the microorganisms within the pulp space is a critical and important objective in treating a tooth with apical periodontitis. This study was conducted to evaluate the antibacterial properties of herbal alternatives (Green tea and siwak extracts) as possible irrigants during endodontic treatment compared with the conventional irrigation solutions. Materials and methods: Salvadora Persica (siwak) and Green Tea solutions were prepared.An agar diffusion test was performed on Mueller-Hinton agar using the well diffusion method. The tested solutions (5.25% NaOCl, 2% Chlorhexidine gluconate, 5% Siwak extract and 5% Green tea extract)were used to fill the wells that were made in the agar media respectively.Plates were left to incubate for 24 hr. at 37°C. Zones of inhibition of the bacterial growth were calculated to measure the antibacterial effect of the tested irrigants. Results: Sodium hypochlorite had the highest mean value (29.88) followed by Chlorhexidine which had a mean value of (26.13), Siwak with mean value of (11.25) and Green tea being the least with mean value of (8.88). ANOVA test showed a highly statistical difference with a P-value of (0.000). Conclusions: NaOCl still the superior irrigant than other irrigants. Herbal alternatives (Siwak and Green tea) can be used as possible irrigants solution to disinfect the root canal system from Enterococcus faecalis during endodontic treatments