ACTIVITY OF CYMBOPOGON CITRATUS (DC.) STAPF AND OCIMUM GRATISSIMUM L. ESSENTIAL OILS AGAINST ORAL PATHOGENS

Objective: To test the antimicrobial activity of the essential oils of Cymbopogon citratus and Ocimum gratissimum against oral pathogens. Methods: The essential oils of C. ctratus and O. gratissimum were analysed for their chemical components using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and tested for antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus mutans, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Lactobacillus acidophilus. The essential oils of C. citratus and O. gratissimum were tested for antimicrobial activity using broth dilution at concentrations of 0.1% v/v and 0.25%v/v, in two sets of experiments. Combinations of the two essential oils at concentrations of 0.15%v/v/0.15%v/v and 0.25%v/v/0.25%v/v were also tested. Results: C. citratus was active at a concentration of 0.25% v/v against L. acidophilus. O. gratissimum oil showed activity against all three oral pathogens at concentrations of 0.1% v/v and 0.25% v/v. The combinations of C. citratus and O. gratissimum oils at concentrations of 0.1% v/v/0.1%v/v and 0.25%v/v/0.25%v/v were found to be active against all three pathogens, with activities comparable to those of Listerine and Carsodyl mouthwashes. Conclusion: Findings show that the essential oils of C. citratus and O. gratissimum are active against oral pathogens.