In vitro Study of the Synergistic Effect of Different Concentrations of Chlorhexidine Mouthwash and Ethanolic Extract of Pinus Gerardiana on Oral Pathogens (Streptococcus Mutans and Candida Albicans)

Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease in the world. Streptococcus mutans is the most important bacteria that cause tooth decay. The most common chemical method to prevent tooth decay is using mouthwash. Chlorhexidine is used as a standard mouthwash. The use of herbal compounds with antibacterial effect is preferable to chlorhexidine due to less side effects. The purpose of this study was to investigate the combination of different concentrations of chlorhexidine mouthwash and ethanol extract of Pinus gerardiana medicinal plant on oral pathogens (Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans).

A combination of different concentrations of chlorhexidine mouthwash and ethanol extract of Pinus gerardiana medicinal plant was prepared and its effect in different dilution against Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans was investigated by disc diffusion, well diffusion, and prevention of biofilm formation methods.

The results of disc diffusion, well diffusion, and biofilm method showed that the ethanolic extract of Pinus gerardiana medicinal plant alone had no significant antimicrobial effect on Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans and it was not comparable to chlorhexidine.

According to the findings of this study, the antibacterial and antifungal effects of chlorhexidine gradually increased with the increase in concentration, and 0.2% chlorhexidine had the highest inhibitory effect on bacteria and fungi under the present study.