Antibacterial Activity of Kabasura Kudineer on Periodontal Pathogens: An In-vitro Study

Introduction: Antiseptic agents used in periodontics, such as bis-biguanide derivatives (Chlorhexidine - CHX) or essential oils, are primarily chemical substances. However, the recent rise of herbal derivatives, with their activity against putative periodontal pathogens, has sparked interest. This study delves into a polyherbal formulation, Kabasura Kudineer (KSK), which is a blend of medicinal herbs with known individual pharmacological benefits, to determine its antibacterial efficacy against periodontal pathogens in-vitro. Aim: To assess the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) of KSK extract against pure strains of putative periodontal pathogens, namely Porphyromonas gingivalis (American Type Culture Collection - ATCC 33277), Fusobacterium nucleatum (ATCC 25586), and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (ATCC 43718). Materials and Methods: An in-vitro study was performed in the Department of Periodontics, Sri Ramachandra Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, between December 2022 and February 2023. In the study, the aqueous extract of KSK was prepared by maceration and stored under controlled conditions at 4°C. The MIC and MBC were determined against commercially available strains of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, and Fusobacterium nucleatum using the broth dilution method and MIC assay method, respectively. The MIC and MBC activities of the KSK extracts were compared with CHX as a standard. Results: Kabasura kudineer has been proven to possess antibacterial activity against all three tested periodontal pathogens. The MIC value of KSK extract was similar to that of CHX, as assessed by the broth dilution method. The MIC of KSK extract for P. gingivalis was 0.4 μg/mL, while for A. actinomycetemcomitans and F. nucleatum, it was 0.2 μg/mL; the CHX values against all three periodontal pathogens were 0.2 μg/mL. The MBC of KSK extract for P. gingivalis was 0.8 μg/mL, and for A. actinomycetemcomitans and F. nucleatum, it was 0.2 μg/mL, with CHX values against all three periodontal pathogens also being 0.2 μg/mL. Conclusion: The aqueous extract of KSK demonstrated a noteworthy MIC and MBC, exhibiting effectiveness against the three periodontal pathogens evaluated in this study, thereby demonstrating its potential for use as an adjunct in periodontal therapy