Evaluation of Antibacterial Activityof Hydromethanolic Extracts of Peels of Punica Granatum and Citrus Limetta

Objectives. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of the hydro-alcoholic extract of Punica granatum Linn. (P. granatum) petal on Streptococcus sanguinis, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus salivarius, Streptococcus sobrinus and Enterococcus faecalis. Materials and methods. In this in vitro study, P. granatum extract was prepared using powdered petals and water-ethanol solvent. The antibacterial effect of the extract, chlorhexidine (CHX) and ampicillin was evaluated on brain-heart infusion agar (BHIA) by the cup-plate method. By evaluating the diameter of the growth inhibition zone, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the extract were determined for the above bacteria. Result. The hydro- alcoholic extract of P. granatum petal had inhibitory effects on the proliferation of all five bacterial strains with the maximum effect on S. mutans with MIC and MBC of 3.9 mg/ml. The largest diameter of the zone of growth inhibition belonged to S. sanguinis and the smallest to E. faecalis. Ampicillin and CHX had the greatest inhibitory effect on S. sanguinis. Conclusions. The hydroalcoholic extract of P. granatum had a significant antibacterial effect on common oral bacterial pathogens with maximum effect on S. mutans, which is the main microorganism responsible for dental plaque and caries.