Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory potential of Azadirachta indica against dental bacteria

The aim of the present study was to identify the phytochemical constituents Azadirachta indica (Neem) leaves and evaluate their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities. The antibacterial properties of Azadirachta indica leaf extract were assessed using solvents such as ethanol, ethyl acetate, methanol and distilled water. These extracts were tested against two bacterial strains: Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus mutans. The results indicated that the ethyl acetate extract exhibited the highest zone of inhibition against both bacterial strains. Specifically, the zone for S. aureus ranged from 15.66-20.30 mm, while for S. mutans, it ranged from 21.50-27.56 mm. These finding demonstrate that A. indica possesses significant antimicrobial activity against both bacterial strains, with the ethyl acetate extract showing the most Pronounced inhibitory effect. Given its superior antibacterial activity, the ethyl acetate extract was further selected for the evaluation of its anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, the chemical constituents responsible for these bioactivities were found out by using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS).