COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF THE ANTIMICROBIAL EFFICACY OF TRIPHALA AND CENTELLA ASIATICA AGAINST CARIOGENIC BIOFILMFORMING BACTERIA USING MIC TESTING: AN IN VITRO STUDY

Background: Herbal remedies offer natural alternatives to conventional antimicrobials in dentistry. Triphala and Centella asiatica have shown potential against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus casei, two major contributors to dental caries. This study aimed to assess and Aim: compare the antimicrobial efcacy of Triphala and Centella asiatica extracts against cariogenic biolm-forming organisms. Materials and Methods: An in vitro experimental study was conducted using MIC assay to determine antibacterial effects.). Chlorhexidine was used as the control. Both herbal formulations showed signicant antibacterial effects. Triphala displayed greate Results: r inhibition of bacterial adhesion and biolm formation than Centella asiatica, as conrmed by lower MIC values. Triphala and Centella asi Conclusion: atica possess notable antimicrobial activity and may serve as effective agents in natural oral hygiene products. Further clinical validation is recomme