Antibacterial Activity of Chewing Stick Extract (Azadirachta Indica) Against Dental Pathogens

Sheba Rani¹, P. M. Tumane^2, B. J. Wadher³ and A. V. Gomashe⁴

^1,2,3,P.G.T. Department of Microbiology, R.T.M. Nagpur University L.I.T. Premises. Nagpur - 440 033 India.

⁴Shivaji Science College, Nagpur India.

ABSTRACT: Neem (Azadirachta indica) is a large evergreen tree, in the Mahogany family. Neem contains large number of chemical compound that has a long history of use in both traditional Indian medicine and Ayurveda. To study the antibacterial activity of methanolic and distilled water extracts of the Indian neem sticks namely Azadirachta indica present study was investigated at Post Graduate Teaching Department of Microbiology, Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur in the year 2007-08. The extract was reconstituted in methanol and distilled water in three different concentrations and further process is carried out by using these neem extract. Results from this study revealed that the antibacterial activities of the tested chewing sticks vary among themselves and are target-microbe specific. Major antibacterial activity was detected against Escherichia coli followed by Staphylococcus aureus at 100% concentration, by using methanolic extract. Lactobacillus species recorded least antibacterial activity at all concentrations of methanolic extract. Where as no zone was observed against Pseudomonas species in aqueous extract of sticks. Among the different concentrations of extract 100 percent extract gives maximum antibacterial activity as compare to 50 and 25 per cent in both methanolic and aqueous extract.The present study concluded that Methanolic extract of neem chewing sticks is more effective than the Antibiotics which are used during oral infection. The uses of neem chewing sticks were proved to be very effective treatment in maintaining oral hygiene among rural Asians. This indicates that, neem extract is effectively used to kill infectious oral pathogens.

KEYWORDS: Antibacterial activity; Azadirachta indica; methanolic and aqueous extract

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