Invitro: Antimicrobial Activity of Leaves Extracts of Eucalyptus Spathulata Against Streptococcus Mutans and Candida Albicans

Abstract

Streptococcus mutans and candida albicans, are the most common causes of oral infections and the artificial drugs have unpleasant side effects on the other hand the number of drug resistant microorganisms is increasing so the developing countries are trying to pay more attention to herbal drugs. Plants are natural source of antimicrobial agents and plant‐derived medicines have been a part of our traditional health care system. Dental plaque, which caused by Streptococcus mutans plays the primary role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Present study deals with evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of methanolic extracts of Eucalyptus spathulata traditional medicinal plant. The efficacy of the plant extracts has been assessed by testing on salivary samples of patients suffering from dental carries. Antimicrobial assay was carried out using agar well diffusion method. Against Strep. mutans the mean of inhibition zone was 12.4mm comparing with 15.2mm for gentamicin and 5.1mm against C.albicans comparing with 10.9mm for nystatin.The study revealed that methanolic extract of Eucalyptus spathulata was effective in inhibiting on Strep. mutans than on C. albicans.