Antimicrobial activity of dalchini (Cinnamomum zeylanicum bark) extracts on some dental caries pathogens.

Abstract

The objective of the study was to assess the antimicrobial potential of the cinnamon bark with a view of searching a novel extract as a remedy for dental caries pathogens. Acetone, ethanol, methanol and aqueous (cold and hot) extracts of dalchini, the bark of Cinnamomum zeylanicum, were tested against three bacteria and two yeasts causing dental caries using agar well diffusion method. The ethanolic, methanolic and acetonic cinnamon bark extracts showed greater antimicrobial activities than the water extracts against the tested bacteria (Streptococcus mutans and Staphylococcus aureus) and the yeasts (Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae) while Lactobacillus acidophilus was resistant to all the five extracts. Of the five extracts of cinnamon bark screened, the acetonic extract showed greater antimicrobial activity than the corresponding water and alcoholic extracts. Strongest antimicrobial activity was observed in the acetonic extract against C.albicans (zone of inhibition 29.30mm and 12.5mg/ml MIC) showing higher inhibition zone than the standard antifungal drug amphotericin B (zone of inhibition 13mm).