Efficacy of tea tree, sesame, and cumin extracts against oral Candida species – An in Vitro study

Abstract

Background and Objective: Oral cavity ports have diverse, abundant, and complex microbial communities. Candida is (a genus of yeast) and is the most common cause of oral fungal infection. The standard treatment of oral candidiasis is the use of antifungal agents, which cause different adverse effects. To combat this, herbal drugs can be considered as an alternative to allopathic drugs. The literature has reported that these herbal products are a rich source of antimicrobial agents. The present study determined the antifungal efficacy of tea tree, sesame, and cumin extracts against oral candidiasis in comparison to clotrimazole. Material and Methods: An in vitro study was carried out on 30 patients, wherein saliva and swab samples were collected and subjected to culture on chromagar and incubated at 37°C for 24 to 48 hours. The cultured Candida species were subjected to an antifungal susceptibility test. Clotrimazole (Group I: positive control), tea tree extracts (Group II–Group VI), sesame extracts (Group VII–Group XI), and cumin extracts (Group XII–Group XVI) were inoculated in wells and incubated. Zones of inhibitions were measured and subjected to statistical analysis. Results: Antifungal efficacy of tea tree (Group II–VI), sesame (Group VII–IX), cumin (Group XII–XIV), and clotrimazole (Group I) were compared and proven to be statistically significant with a P value < 0.05. Conclusion: Clotrimazole had a higher antimicrobial activity compared to medicinal plants. The extracts of tea tree, sesame, and cumin had significant antimicrobial activity and they might prove to be promising alternatives as a therapeutic agent for oral candidiasis.

Keywords

• extracts and antimicrobial activity
• oral candida species