Evaluation of Antibacterial Effects of Ginger Extract When Used as One Component of the Root Canal Sealers; (An in vitro Study)

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial properties of aqueous ginger extract as endodontic sealer, against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus sanguis, Candida albicans, anaerobic bacteria and normal flora of oral cavity, and to evaluate the most effective dilution of ginger extract against Enterococcus faecalis in dentinal tubules in order to use it as one component of root canal sealer. Disc diffusion test and direct contact method were used to evaluate the antimicrobial properties of the aqueous ginger extract. The antimicrobial activity was tested 1, 3 and 30 days after dentinal tubules manipulation using different dentin sealer. The Results showed that the highest antimicrobial activity was exhibited by the 20% (w/v) aqueous ginger extract. Moreover, this ginger extract (20%) showed a remarkable antibacterial activity against Enterococcus faecalis in infected dentinal tubules when examined in vitro; the study indicates that ginger extract might have promising effect to be use as one component of root canal sealer.