Evaluation of the Phytochemical and Antimicrobial Activity of Achyranthes aspera Stem Extract against Dental Infection

The present study aims to evaluate the phytochemical and antimicrobial properties of Achyranthes aspera stem extract against S. mutans and S. aureus. Dental infections are a major problem in children and adults. Dental infections caused by Streptococcus mutans and Staphylococcus aureus are the main contributors to oral health problems, including periodontal disease and dental caries. The plant extracts were prepared using ethyl acetate, methanol, ethanol, and distilled water, and their efficiency was evaluated using the agar well diffusion method. The ethyl acetate extract exhibited the highest zone of inhibition against both bacterial strains, followed by ethanolic, methanolic, and aqueous extracts. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) assays further confirmed the potency of the extracts, with the ethyl acetate extract exhibiting MIC values of 3.75 (µg/ml) against S. mutans and 7.5 (µg/ml) against S. aureus. These findings support the potential application of Achyranthes aspera as a natural antimicrobial agent for dealing with dental pathogens and highlight the importance of plant-based compounds in oral healthcare.