Determination of Antibacterial Activity of Commiphora Myrrha and Ziziphus spina-christi Leaf Extracts Against Porphyromonas gingivalis in Patients with Fixed Partial Dentures with Chronic Periodontitis - An In Vitro Study

Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), a highly studied black pigmented bacterium, is thought to be associated with chronic periodontitis. It makes up a significant portion of the subgingival microbiota found in periodontal pockets. Natural antibacterial compounds derived from plants could be potential substitutes for the traditionally employed chlorhexidine. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the antibacterial properties of alcoholic extracts from the leaves of Ziziphus spina-christi (ZSC) and Commiphora myrrha (C. myrrha) in vitro, both individually and in combination, against the P. gingivalis.

Clinical samples of subgingival plaque were taken from patients who had fixed partial dentures with chronic periodontitis. The presence of the target microorganism was verified via Gram's stain and biochemical tests. Ethanol extracts were prepared from the leaves of ZSC and C. myrrha in vitro. Antibacterial effects of different concentrations of the olive leaf extracts (20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100%) were tested both individually and in combination, against the P. gingivalis, and compared with those of deionized water and 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and susceptibility of the bacteria to the extracts were measured both individually and in combination.

P. gingivalis growth was significantly inhibited by ethanol extracts at different concentrations (20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100%), resulting in varying degrees of growth inhibition. Researchers have demonstrated that a combination of extracts (Commiphora myrrha and Ziziphus spina-christi leaf extracts) has greater antibacterial effects than chlorhexidine, followed by individual extracts from C. myrrha and ZSC. The MICs of the extracts varied between 0.2 and 0.6 g/ml. The alcoholic extracts had MBCs ranging from 0.4 to 0.8 g/ml.

A prevalent public health issue, periodontal diseases have little chance of being prevented. Therefore, it is crucial to look for possible substitutes for synthetic substances. These plants' or their extracts' antibacterial properties may serve as a source for novel antibiotics.

Each extract exhibited both bacteriostatic and bactericidal properties and was effective against P. gingivalis. The combined alcoholic extract had the strongest antibacterial activity against P. gingivalis at all the tested concentrations. Therefore, it can be considered a potential alternative to chlorhexidine.