Antimicrobial activity of Pseudocedrela kotschyi (Meliaceae) stem bark in traditional dental care

Background: Pseudocedrela kotschyi (Meliaceae) stem bark is widely accepted as chewing stick in Nigeria, used as such and in management of mild mouth cavity infections.

Objective: This study was carried out to evaluate and justify the traditional use of Pseudocedrela kotschyi (Meliaceae) stem bark in dental care.

Methods: The methanolic stem bark extract of P. kotschyi and its fractions were evaluated for possible antimicrobial activities against micro-organisms isolated from the teeth cavity (Staphlococcus aureus, Streptococcus, Lactobacillus, Actinomyces, Candida albicans and Aspergillus). Agar diffusion bio assay method was employed for the study. Chlorhexidine gluconate and sterile water were used as the positive and negative control respectively.

Results: Data obtained shows a dose dependent zone of inhibition of test bacteria while insignificant or no inhibitory activity was observed for test fungi by both the extract and the fractions. Higher growth inhibitory effect were seen with the polar fractions (butanol and aqueous remainder) compared to the extract at -1 concentration of 100 mg mL . Chlorhexidine gluconate exhibited sensitivity for all tested microorganisms.

Conclusion: The study justifies the traditional use of chewing stick, P. kotschyi as an alternative in management of dental infections caused by susceptible organisms. Further study could be done to isolate and characterize the active phytochemicals present in the plant bark.