Antibacterial efficacy of epicatechin and rutin from Acacia catechu leaf extract against Enterococcus faecalis and Streptococcus mutans - An in vitro study

To evaluate in vitro antibacterial effect of epicatechin and rutin from Acacia catechu leaf against Streptococcus mutans, Enterococcus faecalis. Chlorhexidine is used as a positive control. ATCC strains were obtained from HI media (Mumbai). Using agar well diffusion method, susceptibility tests were performed overnight incubation at 37°C. All tests were performed in duplicate. Minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration were also performed by broth dilution method. Epicatechin showed significant antibacterial efficacy against the oral microbes tested whereas rutin showed moderate efficacy against the oral microbes tested. Indian herbal extracts are used since ancient times to treat various disease ailments as these natural products exert broad-spectrum actions. E. faecalis, S. mutans is a normal inhabitant of the oral cavity. E. faecalis commonly causes Root canal failure. The prevalence of S. mutans is increased in oral rinse samples from patients receiving dental treatment. Hence, the finding suggests that epicatechin from ethanolic leaf extract of A. catechu showed good activity against S. mutans when compared to rutin.