Assessment of Antimicrobial Activity Against Candida albicans, Streptococcus mutans, Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus and Cytotoxic Effect of the Mouthwash Prepared Using Persea americana and Clove - An In Vitro Study.

CONTEXT: A natural mouthwash with minimal side effects is essential for obviating the disadvantages of chemically based mouthwashes. Research has been carried out worldwide using herbal extracts from leaves, stems, seeds, fruits, etc., for various dental purposes. The present investigation attempted to highlight one such natural product Persea americana (avocado) where the pulp of the avocado fruit has been used to synthesize mouthwash using an eco-friendly green method.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current study is to emphasize antimicrobial property in relation to Candida albicans , Streptococcus mutans , Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus and cytotoxic properties of P. americana -based mouthwash which could be used as a potent antimicrobial mouthwash in the near future.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties of the synthesized P. americana -based mouthwash were assessed using zone of inhibition and brine shrimp lethality assay, respectively, and the results were compared with the standard.

RESULTS: The prepared mouthwash was effective against C. albicans (14 mm at 100 µl) and S. mutans (statistically significant) ( P < 0.05), and it is completely safe at 5 μl concentration.

CONCLUSION: The study concluded that the prepared P. americana -based mouthwash could act as an adjunctive antifungal remedy in future. Dose-based cytotoxic property of this mouthwash requires assessment of the safety levels prior to administering for therapeutic purposes.