ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF CURCUMIN AGAINST PATHOGENIC BACTERIA PRESENT IN ORAL CAVITY

*B. Raja Narender and *T. Pandu Raju

ABSTRACT

Oral pathogenic gram-positive bacteria, Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus sanguis, are caused severe human diseases with complications, including rheumatic fever, sepsis, severe soft-tissue invasion, and toxic-shock-like syndrome (TSLS). Whereas, Streptococcus mutants (Strept. mutans), described a key causative agent of caries and infective endocarditis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory effect of Curcumin on Strept. mutans and Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus sanguis growth in comparison with the antibiotic Ciprofloxacin using well diffusion method. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MICs) showed that curcumin-mediated growth inhibition of Strept. mutans and, Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus sanguis. Results showed that curcumin significantly inhibited the activity of Strept. mutans and Strept. pyogenes growth with inhibition zones, 9.7mm and 10.2 mm, respectively while the inhibition zone of Ciprofloxacin 15.52mm to 13.4mm against Strept. mutans, Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus sanguis respectively. The antibacterial activity of curcumin on Strept. Mutans, Streptococcus oralis, and Streptococcus sanguis growth suggests that the curcumin may be useful for controlling dental biofilms, subsequently dental caries formation. This study provides significant insights into the therapeutic effect of curcumin against pathogenic gram positive bacteria, suggesting its potential as an alternative therapy, and opens the way for further studies on identification of novel antimicrobial targets of Curcumin.

Keywords: Curcumin, Curcuma longa, Antibacterial Activity, Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), Zone of Inhibition (ZOI).