Investigation of the antimicrobial effects of Sapindus mukorossi on endodontic pathogens

Abstract

Endodontic infections have a polymicrobial nature. Thus, eliminating the microorganisms from infected root canals without damaging healthy surrounding tissue is a major concern. Sapindus mukorossi (S. mukorossi) is a natural product with potential antimicrobial effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether various extract solutions of S. mukorossi have an antimicrobial activity against specific endodontic pathogens. Extracts were obtained from S. mukorossi fruit pericarps using methanol, ethanol, butanol and distilled water solvents. The inhibition zone, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) were determined with disc diffusion assay, broth microdilution assay and agar dilution assay. Antimicrobial inhibitory activity was observed with all four different solvent extracts of S. mukorossi against Fusobacterium nucleatum American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) 25586, Porphyromonas gingivalis ATCC 33277 and Actinomyces odontolyticus (clinical isolate). The MIC values were ranged 10.24-10.24, 0.01-0.64 and 1.28-2.56 mg/mL, respectively. The MBC value was not detected for Fusobacterium nucleatum ATCC 25586. The MBC values were 0.02-1.25 and 2.56-5.12 mg/ mL for Porphyromonas gingivalis ATCC 33277 and Actinomyces odontolyticus (clinical isolate), respectively. Antifungal activities were also observed with the four different solvent extracts of S. mukorossi against Candida albicans ATCC 10231 and C. albicans clinical isolates 1, 2 and 3. The inhibition zone diameter values were in the range of 18-21 mm. The MIC values for C. albicans ATCC 10231 and C. albicans clinical isolates 1, 2 and 3 were 0.2-0.4 and MFC values were 0.4-0.8 mg/mL, respectively. The antimicrobial effects of the S. mukorossi fruit pericarp extract inhibited the growth of P. gingivalis, A. odontolyticus, F. nucleatum, and especially the C. albicans strains. S. mukorossi extract has interesting potential as an antimicrobial agent against endodontic pathogens.