IN VITRO ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF CAPPARIS SPINOSA EXTRACT AGAINST ORAL PATHOGENS FROM PEDIATRIC DENTAL CARIES

Aim: Dental caries is one of the most common oral diseases of children worldwide. Natural agents with antimicrobial activity are increasingly being explored in light of the rise in resistance of oral microorganisms to conventional antibiotics. Objective: This study aimed to isolate and phenotypically identify oral pathogens associated with dental caries in children and to evaluate the in vitro antifungal effect of the aqueous extract of Capparis spinosa leaves. Materials and Methods: Thirty clinical specimens were obtained from children aged 7-9 years, including 20 samples with dental caries and 10 from healthy children as controls. The samples were incubated for 24–48 hours after being cultured on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) and Brain Heart Infusion (BHI). Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA by LSD test at a p ≤ 0.05 probability level. Results: The isolated fungi, comprising Candida albicans (60%), C. parapsilosis (30%), and C. krusei (10%), Streptococcus mutans (70%), and Lactobacillus spp. (30%), were isolated from carious samples. The aqueous extract of C. spinosa demonstrated a strong effect against C. albicans but a weak antibacterial effect against Streptococcus mutans. Conclusion: Findings of this in vitro study indicate that Capparis spinosa extract showed antifungal activity against specific fungal species associated with pediatric dental caries. Further in vivo investigations are recommended to explore its incorporation into pediatric oral care formulations.