Bio Science Research Bulletin

Dental caries is the most prevalent and chronic diseases among dental problems like periodontal, tooth loss, gingivitis, toothache, mouth ulcers, gum bleeding and toothache. It is mainly caused by sugar content in diet and bacteria such as Streptococcus and Staphylococcus. Different methods are used for the prevention of dental caries such as chemical and natural methods. However, the present study was carried out to compare the antibacterial activity of aqueous preparation extract of dried and fresh leaves of Punica granatum, Eucalyptus, Mangifera indica and Acacia nilotica at 0.40% and 0.60% against the dental microflora of tobacco chewers plus smoking, tobacco chewers, smokers and normal persons (who are neither tobacco chewers nor smokers). Antibacterial activity of Punica granatum, Eucalyptus, Mangifera indica and Acacia nilotica have been determined by using agar well diffusion method against the sample. Out of the aqueous preparation of dried leaves extract of Punica granatum, Eucalyptus, Mangifera indica and Acacia nilotica, Punica granatum was found more effective at 0.40% concentration and Acacia nilotica was found least effective at 0.40%. But at 0.60% concentration, Eucalyptus was found more effective and Acacia nilotica was least effective. While, in case of aqueous extract prepared from fresh leaves of the selected plants, Eucalyptus was found more effective at 0.40% concentration, while at 0.60% concentration, Punica granatum was found more effective and Acacia nilotica was least effective. On the basis of quick response, Punica granatum was found more effective in comparison to other tested plant species (i.e. Eucalyptus, Mangifera indica, Acacia nilotica). Punica granatum showed zone of activity within 1days after implementation while other extracts showed zone of activity after 6–7 days.