Antibacterial Effect of Ziziphus mauritiana on Streptococcus mutans.

Aim: To determine the antibacterial effect of ethanolic Z. mauritiana leaves extract against Streptococcus mutans, which is known as an aetiological agent in the development of dental caries. Materials and Methods: The plant extracts were prepared using maceration method in 100 % ethanol for 72 hours. The ethanol filtrate was separated and concentrated using a rotary evaporator. Then, the extract was lyophilized using freeze dryer for three days. The antibacterial assay of the leaf extracts was conducted on S. mutans (ATCC 25175) by disc diffusion method, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). Results: The results of disc diffusion method were determined by the diameter of zone of inhibition. For 200 mg/mc and 500 mg/mℓ of the ethanolic extract of Ziziphus mauritiana leaf extract the zone of inhibition were 11.67 mm and 13.9 mm respectively. The MIC and MBC value was 3.125 mg/mℓ. Conclusion: The findings from this study suggest that ethanol extracts of Ziziphus mauritiana leaves have the potential to be developed as a therapeutic agent in preventing development of dental caries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]