EVALUATION AND COMPARISON OF ANTIBACTERIAL EFFICACY OF ALBIZIA LEBBECK (L.) BENTH., BAUHINIA VARIEGATA L. AND CHLORHEXIDINE MOUTHWASHES: IN-VITRO STUDY

Aim: Herbal medicines have therapeutic benefits, especially in plaque and gingivitis control. Therefore, the study aims to establish the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth. (Siris tree), Bauhinia variegata Linn. (Mountain Ebony) and Chlorhexidine mouthwashes and to assess and compare the antibacterial effect of Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth. mouthwash (Group I), Bauhinia variegata L. mouthwash (Group II) and Chlorhexidine (Group III) on plaque. Materials and Methods: The MIC of herbal mouthwashes and Chlorhexidine were determined against standard strains of bacteria involved in gingivitis. The antibacterial action of these mouthwashes on the supragingival plaque was determined and compared. Fifteen plaque samples were collected from fifteen individuals with gingivitis and were sent to the laboratory for processing. Data obtained was tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis using analysis of variance and paired t-test. Bonferroni post hoc test was used to know the difference between the pairs of mouthwashes. Analysis of covariance was also done to adjust for the baseline differences. Results: The MIC of Group I, Group II and Group III mouthwashes ranged 0.8 µg/ml-12.5 µg/ml, 0.4 µg/ml-25 µg/ml and 0.4 µg/ml-25 µg/ml, respectively, against the tested bacterial strains. Group I and Group II mouthwashes did exhibit antibacterial activity. However, the antibacterial efficacy of herbal mouthwashes exhibited significant differences when compared with Chlorhexidine. Conclusion: Group I and Group II mouthwashes showed antibacterial activity. However, these herbal mouthwashes showed less antibacterial action when compared to Group III.