Determining the Phytochemical Properties and Antibiogram of Different Chewing Stick Plants on Selected Streptococcal Species Isolated from the Oral Cavity

Chewing sticks are small twigs obtained from plant stems, measuring 12-25cm long and tied in bundles of 5-10. These twigs have been used for oral hygiene for many years, even before the invention of toothpaste, mouthwash, and mouth sprays. This study aims to determine the phytochemical properties and antibiogram of different chewing stick plants on two streptococcal species isolated from the oral cavity. Streptococcus pyogenes and Streptococcus mutans were isolated from oral swabs of patients at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital and identified to the species level. The pure isolates were further tested against the antimicrobial effects of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of four chewing stick plants: Vernonia amygdalina, Jatropha curcas, Massularia acuminate, and Phyllanthus mullerianus. Qualitative phytochemical screening and quantitative analysis were carried out on the plant stems to determine the presence of antimicrobials. The percentage of antimicrobials present in the plant stems ranged from 33.3% to 66.7%, with Jatropha curcas, Massularia acuminate, and Vernonia amygdalina exhibiting the highest percentages, and Phyllanthus mullerianus the lowest. The antibiogram of the isolates to conventional gram-positive antibiotics was determined by the disc diffusion method. Streptococcus pyogenes showed 75% sensitivity and 25% resistance to the antibiotics, while Streptococcus mutans displayed 50% sensitivity, 16.7% intermediate, and 33.3% resistance to the antibiotics. The investigation found that the ethanolic extract of Massularia acuminate has the highest zone of inhibition of 15.5 ±0.71mm at 100mg/ml, while Phyllanthus mullerianus exhibited the least inhibition at 8 ±0mm. The ethanolic extract of Jatropha curcas and Vernonia amygdalina showed little effect on the test isolates, with a range of 0-9.5±0.71mm. The aqueous extract ranged from 8±5.7 - 9.5±0.71mm at 100mg/ml, with Massulara acuminate exhibiting the highest and the lowest zones of inhibition. This finding indicates that Massularia accuminate has the ability to suppress the growth of dental plaque-forming Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus pyogenes. Chewing sticks are more affordable and easily accessible, so they could be recommended in community oral health programs.