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. 2024 Jan;17(1):26-30.
doi: 10.5005/jp-journals-10005-2733.

Microbiological Evaluation of Herbal Extracts against Candida albicans in Early Childhood Caries Patients: An In Vitro Study

Shakuntala B Siddaiah  1 , Somya Sinha  1 , B R Archana  2
Affiliations

Microbiological Evaluation of Herbal Extracts against Candida albicans in Early Childhood Caries Patients: An In Vitro Study

Shakuntala B Siddaiah et al. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2024 Jan.

Abstract

Purpose: The current literature proposes a probable role of Candida albicans (C. albicans) in its etiopathogenesis in early childhood caries (ECC). This study aimed to isolate C. albicans species in children with and without ECC and compare the antifungal efficacy of neem, miswak, cinnamon, clove, stevia, and ketoconazole. This study also aimed to assess and compare salivary pH in children with and without ECC.

Materials and methods: A total of 60 children were included in the study, who were divided into two groups-group I (children with ECC) and group II (children without ECC). Plaque samples were collected and streaked on Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA). C. albicans isolates were evaluated, and their susceptibility to herbal agents was tested and compared. Saliva samples were collected, and salivary pH was tested and compared.

Results: The presence of C. albicans was significantly higher in group I (76.7%) as compared to group II (23.3%). The mean zone of inhibition for neem was 4.9 mm, whereas, for miswak, it was 4.5 mm; for cinnamon, 9.3 mm; for clove, 3.8 mm; for stevia, 10.9 mm; and for ketoconazole it was 21.09 mm. The mean salivary pH for group I was 6.7, and that for group II was 7.3.

Conclusion: Candida albicans (C. albicans) carriage in children with ECC was significantly higher than in children without ECC. All herbal agents showed significant antifungal activity, with stevia showing the highest activity. The average salivary pH of children without ECC was slightly higher than that of children with ECC.

How to cite this article: Siddaiah SB, Sinha S, BR A. Microbiological Evaluation of Herbal Extracts against Candida albicans in Early Childhood Caries Patients: An In Vitro Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2024;17(1):26-30.

Keywords: Candida albicans; Dental Caries; Early childhood caries; Herbal drugs; Salivary pH.

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Conflict of interest statement

Source of support: Nil Conflict of interest: None

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Shows growth of C. albicans and its morphological features of cream, smooth, pasty convex colonies on SDA
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Shows species identification of C. albicans was done using the germ tube test method
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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