Evaluation of the Anti-plaque Efficacy of a Jamun Extract Containing Mouthwash

The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of a jamun extract containing mouthwash on plaque formation and evaluate its antibacterial properties against selected oral pathogens in vitro.

Forty five periodontally healthy subjects were randomly divided into three groups, they refrained from all mechanical oral hygiene measures for 4 days and used one of the randomly assigned mouthwashes (A, jamun; B, chlorhexidine; or C, distilled water [placebo]) twice daily. The Plaque Index (PI) was assessed at the baseline and the 5^th day. Jamun extract was tested against Streptococcus mitis, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Tanerella Forsythia.

In all groups, the PI significantly increased from the baseline to day 5 (P <.0 1) There was a statistically significant difference (P < 0.01) between the chlorhexidine and placebo mouthwash and the jamun and placebo mouthwash, but no statistically significant difference was found between the chlorhexidine and jamun mouthwash with respect to the PI. Jamun extract showed effective inhibition of Tanerella forsythia at 15% concentration.

These results indicate that the jamun mouthwash has an antiplaque effect. Jamun extract is efficacious against Tanerella forsythia strains in vitro. Thus, Jamun mouthwash should be explored as a long-term antiplaque rinse with prophylactic benefits.