article · Path of Science
Maintaining good oral health is vital for physical wellbeing and social interaction. This research evaluates the antibacterial properties of clove, or Syzygium aromaticum, extracts against bacteria associated with tooth decay. Laboratory testing compared aqueous and ethanolic preparations against Lactobacillus casei and Streptococcus mutans. Findings show that ethanolic clove extract produced the largest inhibition zones against Lactobacillus casei, whereas the aqueous extract proved more effective against Streptococcus mutans. The minimum inhibitory concentration for the aqueous extract against Streptococcus mutans was notably lower than that of the ethanolic version, requiring only half the concentration to inhibit growth. Bactericidal testing showed that the aqueous extract eliminated Lactobacillus casei at a lower concentration than the ethanolic preparation. Overall, the evidence demonstrates that water-based clove extracts offer notable antibacterial action against specific oral pathogens linked to dental caries.
Dental caries remains a widespread oral health problem that directly impacts daily wellbeing, nutrition, and personal confidence. Discovering that common plant sources like clove provide natural antibacterial properties against cavity-causing bacteria offers a foundation for developing alternative oral care solutions. Water-based extraction in particular presents an accessible and straightforward method to harness these protective effects against common dental pathogens.
This early-stage laboratory research could enable the formulation of botanical oral hygiene products, such as toothpastes or mouthwashes, targeting bacteria that cause tooth decay. Commercial interest would likely come from oral care manufacturers and natural health product developers. Because the findings are limited to preliminary in vitro minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentration assays, significant formulation development, safety evaluation, and clinical testing remain necessary before any real-world application.
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Oral health encompasses the condition of the mouth, teeth, and related facial structures, enabling vital activities such as eating, breathing, and speaking. It also includes psychological and social factors such as self-esteem, overall well-being, and the ability to interact and work without experiencing pain, discomfort, or embarrassment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial effects of an aqueous extract of Syzygium aromaticum (clove) on certain bacteria known to cause dental caries. Among the tested bacteria, Lactobacillus casei showed the greatest sensitivity to the ethanolic clove extract, with inhibition zones ranging from 10 to 20 mm. The aqueous extract, however, showed lower inhibition, ranging from 8 to 14 mm. For Streptococcus mutans, the aqueous extract showed higher antibacterial activity, with inhibition zones of 4-8 mm. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of both aqueous and ethanolic extracts against Lactobacillus casei was 125 mg/mL. In the case of Streptococcus mutans, the aqueous extract exhibited an MIC of 62.5 mg/mL, whereas the ethanolic extract exhibited an MIC of 250 mg/mL.Regarding minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), the aqueous and ethanolic extracts required concentrations of 250 mg/mL and 500 mg/mL, respectively, to kill Lactobacillus casei. The ethanolic extract also had an MBC of 500 mg/mL against Streptococcus mutans. These results suggest that extracts from Syzygium aromaticum possess significant antibacterial properties, particularly when extracted with water, emphasising their potential as alternative antibacterial agents for oral health.
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DOI: 10.22178/pos.127-30
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