ANTIBACTERIAL EFFECT OF CRATAEGUS PINNATIFIDA EXTRACT AGAINST ENTROCOCCUS FAECALIS A ROOT CANAL DISEASE-CAUSING BACTERIA.

Studies have substantiated the anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic effects of (C. pinnatifida); however, research on its antibacterial activity using organic solvent remains limited. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to validate the antibacterial activity of C. pinnatifida as a natural extract against Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis), a multidrug-resistant bacterium. E. faecalis was treated with different concentrations of C. pinnatifida to determine the optimal concentration for the most effective antibacterial effect. Fifteen different concentrations were applied for 6 and 24 h. The experimental method centered on confirming antibacterial activity using colony-forming units. The experimental results demonstrated a proportional increase in antibacterial activity with elevated C. pinnatifida concentration. Notably, 99.99% and 100% antibacterial activity were observed at 10 mg/mL and 40 mg/mL concentrations, respectively. Our results suggest that C. pinnatifida holds potential as an antibacterial agent against the multidrug-resistant E. faecalis.

GROWTH INHIBITORY EFFECT OF HOUTTUYNIA CORDATA EXTRACT ON STREPTOCOCCUS MUTANS.

Houttuynia cordata is an herbal plant distributed throughout Asia. H. cordata has many bioactive properties, including antibacterial properties. The antibacterial effects of H. cordata on S. mutans remain unknown. Therefore, we treated S. mutans with 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30, or 40 mg/mL H. cordata extract at 37°C for 24 h. The antibacterial effect of H. cordata against S. mutans was confirmed using colony forming unit assay and disk diffusion assays. The results of the cell concentration assay demonstrated that H. cordata inhibited the growth of S. mutans in a dose-dependent manner. Prominent growth inhibition was observed after treatment with 10 mg/mL H. cordata extract, and these findings were statistically significant. In addition, no colonies of S. mutans were detected after treatment with 40 mg/mL H. cordata. Disk diffusion assays revealed that 20 mg/mL of H. cordata created a zone of growth inhibition of 11 mm. Therefore, our findings suggest the possibility of using H. cordata in the treatment and prevention of dental caries.