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The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) addition on the antibacterial and surface hardness characteristics of two commercial resin-based dental composites (RBDCs). A total of two hundred and seventy (n = 270) specimens from Filtek Z250 Universal and Filtek Z350 XT flowable RBDCs were fabricated with the addition of CPC at 2 %wt and 4 %wt concentrations to assess their antibacterial activity using the agar diffusion test and direct contact inhibition test, and their surface hardness using the Vickers microhardness test after 1 day, 30 days, and 90 days of aging. A surface morphology analysis of the specimens was performed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The RBDCs that contained 2 %wt and 4 %wt CPC demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans up to 90 days, with the highest activity observed for the 4 %wt concentration. Nevertheless, there was a reduction in antibacterial effectiveness over time. Moreover, compared to the control (0 %wt) and 2 %wt CPC groups, the universal RBDCs containing 4 %wt CPC exhibited a notable decrease in surface hardness, while all groups showed a decline in hardness over time. In conclusion, the satisfactory combination of the antibacterial effect and surface hardness property of RBDCs was revealed with the addition of a 2 %wt CPC concentration.

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OBJECTIVES: Recent research has demonstrated that platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is an appropriate carrier for ampicillin/sulbactam. The aim of the study was to investigate whether PRF is also a suitable bio-carrier for clindamycin (CLI). METHODS: PRF membranes were produced from 36 patients receiving intravenous therapy with CLI (e.g. due to the diagnosis of an osteonecrosis of the jaw or infections). Concentrations of CLI in PRF membranes were measured with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and the antimicrobial effects were investigated in vitro in agar diffusion tests with fresh PRF and PRF stored for 24 h. Storage was performed in an incubator at 36 °C to simulate the in-vivo situation. RESULTS: The mean concentration of CLI in plasma was 1.0 ± 0.3 µg/100 mg plasma; in resulting PRF membranes 0.7 ± 0.4 µg/100 mg PRF. Agar diffusion tests were performed with Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus mitis, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Fusobacterium nucleatum. Mean inhibition zones, in mm, for fresh PRF were 17.3, 12.2, 18.8, 17.1, 25.8 and 18.1, 12.7, 19.2, 17.3, and 26.3 for stored PRF, respectively. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate that PRF is a suitable bio-carrier for CLI when administered systemically to patients. The concentration in PRF generated from patients after infusion of 600 mg CLI dose suffices to target clinically relevant bacteria. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Using PRF as a carrier for local antibiotic application can prevent infections in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Within the study limitations, the findings could expand the scope of PRF application by adding CLI as a new antibiotic to the spectrum of PRF therapy.

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OBJECTIVES: Different platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) protocols exist and are known to differ in resulting mechanical and bioactive properties. Centrifugation parameters may also influence drug release, in particular antibiotics, when using PRF as a bio-carrier. We thus evaluated three common protocols regarding effects on the bio-carrier properties. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a prospective trial comprising 33 patients, we compared different protocols for PRF as a bio-carrier for ampicillin/sulbactam (SAM). Blood samples were taken shortly after a single dose of ampicillin/sulbactam (2 g/1 g) was administered to patients intravenously. PRF was obtained by centrifugation and three protocols were used: protocol A (1300 rpm, 8 min, RCF-max = 208 g), B (2300 rpm, 12 min, RCF-max = 652 g), and C (1500 rpm, 14 min, RCF-max = 276 g). The antibacterial activity of PRF was investigated against five oral species in vitro, based on agar diffusion methodology. RESULTS: The study demonstrates that a single dose of SAM is sufficient to reach high concentrations in PRF in all protocols (150 µg/ml), which is comparable to the plasma SAM concentration. Antibacterial activity was inferred from the diameter of inhibition zones seen in agar diffusion tests using PRF discs. Protocol B resulted in the largest inhibition zones. One-way ANOVA revealed statistically improved results for protocol B for some bacteria. CONCLUSIONS: The study provides valuable data on PRF antibiotic enrichment, notably SAM. A single dose of SAM is sufficient to reach clinically relevant concentrations in PRF. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These findings potentially extend the application of PRF, for example in patients with osteonecrosis of the jaw or in oral surgery (e.g., stick bone).

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In this in vitro study, we assessed the antibacterial efficacy of four endodontic sealers-resin AH26, EndoRez, calcium hydroxide (Apexit), and pure zinc oxide-against Enterococcus faecalis. The agar diffusion test was employed to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of the sealers in vitro, with distilled water serving as a control. The sealers were prepared following the manufacturer's instructions and placed in wells of 50 agar plates, each inoculated with 15 samples of Kocuria rhizophila and Staphylococcus aureus. Inhibition zones were assessed after 72, 120, and 168 hours of anaerobic incubation at 37°C for 196 hours. Kruskal-Wallis and Friedman tests were used for data analysis. Positive control plates exhibited bacterial growth in all specified periods. AH26 demonstrated significantly higher antibacterial effectiveness against both bacterium types compared to the other sealers (P<0.01). Pure zinc oxide exhibited moderate antibacterial activity, while Apexit and EndoRez showed the lowest activity against S. aureus and no activity against K. rhizophila. AH26 had the highest antibacterial effect, and EndoRez had the lowest (P<0.05). In terms of inhibiting bacterial growth, the effectiveness of root canal sealers was ranked as follows: AH26 > Pure Zinc Oxide >Apexit/EndoRez.

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(1) Background: recently, the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers (ABHSs) has become very frequent, and an evaluation of the stability and effectiveness of their formulations is a critical topic which should be carefully considered. (2) Methods: starting from the characterization of the hand sanitizers object of the study, our interest was focused on their rheological behavior in order to confirm their intrinsic features, but also the stability of each formulation in different conditions of shear and temperature; the second aspect concerns the antimicrobial assessment through a panel of in vitro and in vivo experimental trials. (3) Results: rheological investigation confirmed good stability for the two hand sanitizers in gel formula with respect to the reference in liquid formula; the antimicrobial activity evaluation showed good efficacy of each formulation both in vitro and in vivo. (4) Conclusions: altogether, our overview presents a valid quality control assessment to ensure the stability and efficacy of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

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Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the common postoperative complications observed after various periodontal surgeries, and sutures play a vital role in its causation. Thus, the aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the efficacy of a novel tetracycline-coated suture with triclosan-coated and nonantibacterial-coated sutures on bacterial load reduction to prevent SSI by measuring the zone of inhibition. Materials and Methods: Twenty systemically healthy individuals with moderate chronic periodontitis were included in this study. Fresh unstimulated saliva was collected from each patient and inoculated on three different blood agar plates. Sutures were divided into three groups (Group A: Tetracycline-coated suture, Group B: Triclosan-coated suture, Group C [control group]: Nonantibacterial-coated suture). The antibacterial efficacy of each suture was evaluated by performing agar diffusion test. The zone of inhibition around each suture was calculated, and statistical analysis was performed for the same using Kruskall-Wallis ANOVA test and Mann-Whitney U-test. Results: On intergroup comparison, there was a statistically highly significant difference seen for the zone of inhibition between the groups (P < 0.01) with the highest values in Group A (14.45 mm), followed by Group B (1.4 mm) and least in Group C (0 mm). Conclusion: Tetracycline-coated suture is more efficacious than triclosan-coated suture to reduce bacterial load and further prevent SSIs. However, in vivo clinical trial is must to prove the same.

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OBJECTIVES: Mechanisms of wound healing are often impaired in patients with osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). According to the guidelines for the treatment of this disease, early surgical intervention is indicated. However, surgery often faces complications such as wound healing disorders. The application of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) after necrosectomy between bone and mucosa may constitute a promising approach to improve surgical results. An aspect that was not investigated until now is that PRF acts as a "bio-carrier" for antibiotics previously applied intravenously. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated the antimicrobial properties of PRF in 24 patients presenting ONJ undergoing systemic antibiosis with ampicillin/sulbactam. We measured the concentration of ampicillin/sulbactam in plasma and PRF and performed agar diffusion tests. Ampicillin/sulbactam was applied intravenously to the patient 10 minutes for blood sampling for PRF. No further incorporation of patients' blood or PRF product with antibiotic drugs was obtained. Four healthy patients served as controls. RESULTS: Our results revealed that PRF is highly enriched with ampicillin/sulbactam that is released to the environment. The antibiotic concentration in PRF was comparable to the plasma concentration of ampicillin/sulbactam. The inhibition zone (IZ) of PRF was comparable to the standard ampicillin/sulbactam discs used in sensitivity testing. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study demonstrated that PRF is a reliable bio-carrier for systemic applied antibiotics and exhibits a large antimicrobial effect. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: We describe a clinically useful feature of PRF as a bio-carrier for antibiotics. Especially when applied to poorly perfused tissues and bone such as in ONJ, the local release of antibiotics can reduce wound healing disorders like infections.

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Salvia rosmarinus Spenn. and Salvia jordanii J.B.Walker are aromatic evergreen shrubs belonging to the Lamiaceae family. Their aerial parts have been used since ancient times as natural preservatives. The present study reported the investigation of the chemical profile and the extraction yield of the essential oils (EOs) obtained from the dried aerial parts of four cultivars of Salvia rosmarinus ('Boule'; 'Vicomte de Noailles'; 'Gorizia'; 'Joyce de Baggio') and the species S. jordanii, together with their antibacterial and antifungal activities. The phytochemical investigation evidenced a predominance of oxygenated monoterpenes in all the samples (57.5-77.1%), except in 'Boule', in which the hydrocarbon form prevailed (50.2%). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of the matrix taxa × compounds showed that nine compounds have a significant discriminating function between the samples. 'Vicomte de Noailles' was characterized by high amounts of camphor and 14-hydroxy-9-epi-(E)-caryophyllene, while 'Gorizia' and Jord differed in their predominance of camphene, borneol, bornyl acetate, and α-humulene. Lastly, 'Boule' and 'Joyce de Baggio' segregated separately and were characterized by high amounts of α-pinene, myrcene, and verbenone. The selected EOs presented a moderate antibacterial activity on the tested bacterial strains and resulted not active on the tested yeast species.

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More than 6 billion bacteria and other microorganisms live in the adult oral cavity. As a result of any deleterious effect on this community, some microorganisms will survive better than others, which may trigger pathogenic processes like caries, halitosis, gingivitis or periodontitis. Oral dysbiosis is among the most frequent human health hazards globally. Quality of life of patients deteriorates notably, while treatments are often unpleasant, expensive and irreversible, e.g. tooth loss. In the experiments reported here, we investigated the individual interactions between 8 pathogenic and 8 probiotic strains and a commercially available probiotic product. Almost all pathogens, namely Fusobacterium nucleatum, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus gordonii, Enterococcus faecalis and Prevotella buccae are pathogens frequently occurring in the oral cavity. The used probiotic strains were Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus delbrueckii, Bifidobacterium thermophilum and two Streptococcus dentisani isolates. Using a modified agar diffusion method, we investigated capability of the probiotic bacteria to prevent the growth of the pathogenic ones in order to identify candidates for future therapeutic treatments. The results indicated successful bacteriocin production, i.e. growth inhibition, against every pathogenic bacterium by at least 5 probiotic strains.

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Bacteriostatic action of a biocidal agent results from the cumulative impact of different kinetics, including those of bacterial growth, mass transfer of the agent and its antibacterial action against the targeted bacteria. Current studies on bacteriostatic effects always directly consider the combination of these kinetics at given times, without discrimination between each other. This work introduces a novel approach, consisting of first studying independently, by the experiment and the model, the different kinetics involved, and then in coupling these kinetics to obtain a model that will be confronted with experimental data. An agar diffusion test with silver ions against Escherichia coli bacteria was implemented herein to assess the relevance of this approach. This work achieved to characterize the different kinetics and to propose a dynamic model combining them, which fits the experimental data with a silver diffusivity in the biofilm fixed to 7.0 ± 0.1 × 10-12 m2 s-1. This study also proves that the diffusive phenomenon was limiting the bacteriostatic action of silver ions over the test duration.

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PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity (ABA), Vickers microhardness numbers (VHN) and cumulative fluoride-releasing (CFR) patterns of conventional glass ionomer cement (GIC) containing AB agents. METHODS: Chlorhexidine (CHX), Cetrimide (CT) and Cetylpyridinum Chloride (CPC) were added to the powder and Benzalkonium Chloride (BC) was added to liquid of GIC in concentrations of 1% and served as the experimental group (EG). Antibacterial-free GIC was used a control group (CG). RESULTS: Compared to the CG, a statistically significantly higher level of ABA was detected at the 1st and 7th day against Streptococcus mutans (SM) and on all days against Lactobacillus casei (LC). The CG had statistically significantly high microhardness values in all time periods compared to the EG. With regard to fluoride ion release, there was no statistical difference between CG and EG at all times. A statistically significant increase was observed in both CG and EG during the 1st day to the 30th day. CONCLUSION: The results of this in vitro investigation demonstrated that AB agents added to the GIC can exhibit AB effects against SM and LC without seriously damaging the physical and chemical properties of the material.

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AIM: The aim and objective of this in vitro study was to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of root canal sealers (bioceramic [BC] sealer, Epiphany self-etch sealer, and AH-Plus sealer) on Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An agar well diffusion assay method was used to determine the efficacy of the root canal sealer against S. aureus (ATCC 6538) and C. albicans (ATCC 10231). Root canal sealers were divided into three groups: BC sealer, Epiphany self-etch sealer, and AH-Plus sealer, and the standard antibiotic disc of amoxiclav and fluconazole was kept as a control against S. aureus and C. albicans. The diameters of the growth inhibition zones against S. aureus and C. albicans for each group were recorded and compared at 24 h. The differences between groups were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc tests for intergroup analysis. RESULTS: AH-Plus sealer exhibited a larger zone of inhibition than the other two sealers against S. aureus and C. albicans at 24 h. The standard antibiotic disc of fluconazole, which was used as a control against C. albicans, exhibited a higher antimicrobial activity than the AH-Plus sealer at 24 h, whereas Epiphany self-etch sealer showed the least antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and C. albicans. CONCLUSION: The AH-plus root canal sealer exhibits a better antibacterial action against S. aureus and C. albicans at 24 h.

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AIM: The main aim of the study is to compare the antibacterial effect of Silver nanoparticle gel alone and combination of silver nanoparticle gel with various medicaments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Intracanal dressings: Group 1 -Silver Nanocure gel, Group 2 - Silver Nanocure gel+ Cavisept gel(1:1),Group 3- Silver Nanocure gel+ Aveu-Cal gel(1:1) ,Group 4 - Silver Nanocure gel +Cavisept gel +Aveu-Cal gel(1:1:1) were taken on a culture plate inoculated with E.faecalis. Antibacterial activity was assessed using Agar diffusion test and results were noted as diameter of growth inhibition zone. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Student t -test was used to analyse results. RESULTS: The diameter of combination of Silver nanocure gel+Cavisept +Aveu-Cal gel(1:1:1) was highest in comparison to other medicaments tested. CONCLUSION: Intracanal dressing with a combination of all the three {Silver nanocure gel+Cavisept +Aveu-Cal gel(1:1:1) } is the best treatment for elimination of highly resistant Enterococcus faecalis in root canals.

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Two soft denture lining materials (SC-Soft Confort and TS-Trusoft) were investigated with and without the addition of 1.0% of chlorhexidine diacetate (1.0% CHX). To assess peel bond strength, specimens (75×10×6 mm) were submitted to a peel test at 10 mm/min immediately and after 24 h. To evaluate Candida albicans growth inhibition, disc of specimens (10×3 mm) were immersed in a solution with 3×106 CFU/mL of C. albicans, and spectral measurements were made following immersion in MTT solution for 2, 4, and 6 days. The agar diffusion test was performed by investigating the diameters of inhibition zones around the disc of specimens (10×3 mm)after 48 h. Data were submitted to statistical analysis (α=0.05) and the failure modes were visually classified. The incorporation of 1.0% CHX significantly decreased the peel bond strength for TS (p=0.001) and SC (p=0.005) for immediate test and for TS after 24 h (p=0.010), but not for SC. C. albicans growth was decreased for both materials over time (p<0.05). SC presented inhibition zones approximately 2.0 times larger than TS. The incorporation of 1.0% CHX inhibited fungal growth without impairment to the peel bond strength for SC after 24 h.

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AIM: To screen the possible antimicrobial activity of a range of clinically used, silver-based compounds on cariogenic organisms: silver diammine fluoride (SDF), silver fluoride, and silver nitrate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Preliminary screening disk-diffusion susceptibility tests were conducted on Mueller-Hinton agar plates inoculated with Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Actinomyces naeslundii, organisms known to be cariogenic. In order to identify which component of the silver compounds was responsible for any antibacterial (AB) effect, and to provide controls, the following were also investigated at high and low concentrations: sodium fluoride, ammonium fluoride, ammonium chloride, sodium fluoride, sodium chloride, and sodium nitrate, as well as deionized water as control. A volume of 10 pL of a test solution was dispensed onto a paper disk resting on the inoculated agar surface, and the plate incubated anaerobically at 37°C for 48 hours. The zones of inhibition were then measured. RESULTS: Silver diammine fluoride, silver fluoride, silver nitrate, and ammonium fluoride had significant AB effect (p < 0.05) on all three test organisms, although ammonium fluoride had no effect at low concentration; the remaining other compounds had no effect. CONCLUSION: Silver ions appear to be the principal AB agent at both high and low concentration; fluoride ions only have an AB effect at high concentration, while ammonium, nitrate, chloride and sodium ions have none. The anticaries effect of topical silver solutions appears restricted to that of the silver ions. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Silver compounds, such as SDF, silver fluoride, and silver nitrate have AB effect against cariogenic organisms and these may have clinical impact in arresting or preventing dental decay. Sodium fluoride did not have AB effect under the conditions tested.

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PURPOSE: To compare the antimicrobial activity of the tricalcium silicate-based Biodentine (BD) and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA)-Angelus cement with the aid of agar diffusion test. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Enterococcus faecium were inoculated in the Brucella liquid medium and were incubated at 37°C for 24 h. Thereafter, 100 >µl of the liquid culture of bacteria inoculated in the Mueller-Hinton agar with spread plate technique. Petri plates were dried in room temperature. For every microorganism, 3 petri plates were prepared (12 in total). In the medium, in every petri plate, 2 holes with 5 mm diameter and 2 mm depth were made. Afterward, BD and MTA-Angelus were filled into these holes under aseptic conditions according to the instructions of the manufacturing company. Then, the plates were kept in the incubator at 37°C for 24 h, and the diameters of the inhibition zones were measured with a digital caliper. RESULTS: Inhibition zones formed by BD against E. coli and S. aureus were significantly larger than the zones formed by MTA-Angelus (P < 0.05). However, the inhibition zones formed by MTA-Angelus against P. aureus and E. faecium were larger than the zones formed by BD (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Within the limits of the present study, tricalcium silicate-based MTA-Angelus and BD have antimicrobial activity against E. coli, S. aureus, P. aureus, and E. faecium.

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INTRODUCTION: This study aimed at evaluating and comparing the antibacterial activity of six types of dental luting cements on Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus using the agar diffusion test (ADT) and the direct-contact test (DCT). The antibacterial activity in ADT was measured based on the diameter of the zone of inhibition formed, whereas in DCT the density of the bacterial suspension was measured. The lower the density of the suspension, the more antibacterial activity the cement possesses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Agar diffusion test was carried out on the bacteria. After an incubation period of 24 hours, the plates were checked for the presence of zone of inhibition. In DCT the cement was mixed and applied. Once the cement was set, bacterial suspension and brain-heart infusion medium was poured and incubated for 24 hours. After 24 hours, the plate was placed in the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay plate reader, which measured the optical density of the fluid. The first set of data was recorded approximately 1 hour after incubation. Overall, three sets of data were recorded. Additional experiments were performed on set test materials that were allowed to age for 24 hours, 1 week, 1, 3, and 6 months. RESULTS: When using ADT only two cements zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE) and zinc polycarboxylate (ZPC) cement showed antibacterial activity against the test organisms. When using DCT, all cements showed some amount of antibacterial activity. Zinc oxide eugenol and ZPC cement showed highest amount of antibacterial activity against S. mutans and L. acidophilus respectively. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of study, ZOE cement and ZPC cement were most effective against the tested microorganisms followed by the newer resin cement. The glass ionomer cement was the weakest of all. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Patients with high caries index can be treated more effectively using the abovementioned cements.

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AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial efficacies of 2% chlorhexidine (CHX), N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) and assess their synergistic or antagonist action as intracanal medicament. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Agar diffusion test was performed with 2% CHX, NAC, and their combination against E. faecalis planktonic cells. The diameters of the zones of bacterial inhibition were measured and recorded for each solution. The assay was further extended to 2 weeks old E. faecalis dentinal biofilm. Sixteen freshly extracted teeth were vertically sectioned into two halves resulting in a total of 32 samples. The samples were inoculated with bacterial suspension and incubated at 37°C for 2 weeks for biofilm formation. The samples were then divided into four experimental groups with 8 samples in each group. The samples were gently washed in saline and placed in culture wells containing the test solutions, i.e., 2% CHX, NAC, a combination of 2% CHX and NAC in 1:1 ratio, and a control group containing saline. The biofilm formed on the root canal surface were removed with a sterile scalpel and inoculated on blood agar plates to check for the formation of E. faecalis colonies. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: For agar diffusion test, data were analyzed statistically using one-way analysis of variance and then by post-hoc Scheffe's test to compare the antimicrobial efficacy between the groups. Statistical analysis was not done for the cultures obtained from the biofilm as there was no growth in all the three test groups except the control group, i.e., saline. RESULTS: In agar diffusion test, among the three groups tested, 2% CHX and NAC showed almost equal zones of inhibition whereas maximum inhibition was shown by a combination of NAC and 2% CHX suggesting a synergistic action. The results obtained were highly significant (P < 0.001) for the combination of medicament when compared to individual test group. In culture analysis, which was done for the biofilm, no growth was observed in all the three test groups. The results obtained were biologically significant but statistically insignificant. CONCLUSION: NAC has almost equal antimicrobial property as 2% CHX whereas their combination showed a synergistic action.

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Background. Elimination of bacteria from the root canal system is one of the aims of endodontic treatment; hence the incorporation of antibiotics into sealers can increase their antimicrobial efficacy. The aim of the present study was to determine the in vitro antimicrobial effects of AH26 and AH Plus sealers mixed with amoxicillin, triple antibiotic paste and nanosilver on Enterococcus faecalis. Methods. In this experiment, amoxicillin, triple antibiotic paste and nanosilver powder were added at 10% of the total sealer weight to AH26 and AH Plus sealers and then cultured freshly or after 1, 3, and 7 days with suspension of E. faecalis for 24 hours. The zones of growth inhibition for E. faecalis were evaluated in each group. Results. Incorporation of nanosilver did not increase antibacterial effects of the sealers. Sealers combined with amoxicillin exhibited the highest antibacterial efficacy in fresh condition. In the set specimens, the results demonstrated that the mixture of sealers and triple antibiotic pastes exhibited the greatest antibacterial efficacy. Conclusion. Amoxicillin and triple antibiotic paste significantly improved the antibacterial properties of AH Plus and AH26 sealers. Such properties decreased with time, but the use of sealer-amoxicillin/triple paste combination was still superior to using sealers alone or in combination with nanosilver.

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OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the antimicrobial activity of different concentrations of Matricaria chamomilla and Chlorhexidine gel against Candida albicans and Enterococcus faecalis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The agar diffusion test was used to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of 15%, 25% Matricaria chamomilla in aq. base and 2% chlorhexidine gel against C. albicans (ATCC 24433) and E. faecalis (ATCC 24212) strains. Vancomycin was used as the positive control for E. faecalis and fluconazole for C. albicans . The agar plates were incubated at 37°C for 48 h after which the zone of inhibition were measured separately for each material. Data thus obtained were statistically analyzed using the Wilcoxon rank-order test. RESULTS: 2% chlorhexidine showed maximum inhibitory zone for C. albicans (33.26 mm) and E. faecalis (24.54 mm). 25% Matricaria showed zones of 24.16 mm and 20.62 mm for C. albicans and E. faecalis, respectively. 15% Matricaria did not show any antimicrobial activity (0 mm). CONCLUSION: The results of the current in vitro study suggest that 25% Matricaria can be used as an antimicrobial agent, but it is less effective than 2% chlorhexidine gluconate gel against C. albicans and E. faecalis. Matricaria at a lesser concentration of 15% aq. base is ineffective against both the microorganisms.