Evaluation of Antibacterial Activities of Aqueous and Methanolic Extracts of Areca Catechu Against Some Opportunistic Oral Bacteria

Asmaa A. Faden

Department of Oral Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dentistry,King Saud University, 11545, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh.

Corresponding Author E-mail: fadena@gmail.com

DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.13005/bbra/2673

ABSTRACT: The aqueous and methanolic extracts of Areca catechu seeds (known as areca nut: a component of a betel quid, where their chewing habitis a popular cultural tradition in some South East Asian countries used as an oral cleanser) have shown some antimicrobial potentials against some oral bacteria which are capable of causing opportunistic infections in the mouth. The objective of this study is to detect the antibacterial activities of aqueous and methanolic extracts of Areca catechu against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.Manystudies showed different antibacterial activity, depending on the Areca catechu extracts method, concentration, and the bacterium under test. The aqueous and methanolic extracts were added to growth medium of Escherichia coli or Staphylococcus aureus. The antibacterial activities of the attained fractions were assessed using agar-well diffusion test. In this study we have observed that the Methanolic extract inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli or Staphylococcus aureus, while aqueous extract was ineffective. In conclusion the methanolic extract of the Areca catechu seeds “areca nut” can be a potential source for developing antibacterial agent against E. coli and S. aureus which are commonly found on human oral cavity and responsible for some oral infections.

KEYWORDS: Areca Catechu; Areca nut; Escherichia coli; MBC; MIC; Staphylococcus Aureus

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