Comparative analysis of the anti-fungal efficacy of herbal denture cleansing agents – an experimental study

Background: This study aims to assess and compare the antimicrobial effects of 0.3% chlorhexidine, Neem, Tulsi, and Indian borage solutions against Candida albicans found on dentures. Methods: The present experimental study was conducted at a dental institution’s Department of Prosthodontics. Fifty edentulous patients currently wearing dentures participated in this study, and their dentures were randomly assigned to one of five treatment groups: Neem solution, Tulsi solution, Indian borage solution, distilled water, or 0.3% chlorhexidine gluconate. To assess the antimicrobial effects of the test solutions, culture swabs were obtained from the dentures both prior to and following treatment, and were subsequently cultured on blood agar medium. The presence or absence of Candida albicans growth was then observed and compared to determine the solutions’ antimicrobial effects. Statistical analysis included both univariate and bivariate methods. A 95% confidence interval was applied, and a p-value of≤0.05 was established as the threshold for statistical significance. Results: In this study, 32 patients participated, resulting in a response rate of 64%. Notably, over 59% of these participants presented with Candida albicans colonization on their dentures. Following treatment, it was observed that the majority of dentures treated with Neem, Indian borage, and chlorhexidine demonstrated the absence of Candida albicans growth when compared to those treated with distilled water. Conclusion: Research has demonstrated that Neem, Tulsi, and Indian borage solutions exhibit antimicrobial properties. These findings suggest their potential utility as natural denture disinfecting agents, particularly against Candida albicans.