Comparison of Antibacterial Activity of Calcium Hydroxide, Azadirachta Indica (Neem), Ocimum Tenuiflorum (Tulsi) and Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Gels as Intracanal Medicaments Against Enterococcus Faecalis: An in-vitro Study

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of Calcium hydroxide, Azadirachta indica (Neem), Ocimum tenuiflorum (Tulsi) and Punica granatum (Pomegranate) gels as intracanal medicaments against Enterococcus faecalis. Methodology: Crude extracts of Pomegranate peel, Neem leaves and Tulsi leaves were used to determine MIC following which gels of 5% neem, 10% tulsi and 10% pomegranate were prepared. Forty-eight single rooted human premolars were procured and inoculated with E.faecalis for 7 days. Specimens were then randomly distributed into 4 groups.

Group I- Calcium hydroxide

Group II- 5% A. indica (Neem) gel

Group III- 10% O. tenuiflorum (Tulsi) gel

Group IV-10%

P. granatum (Pomegranate) gel The experimental gels were then introduced into the samples and were sealed at both ends. The antimicrobial activity of medicaments was assessed by measuring CFU/ml at the end of 1, 3 and 5 days. Results: Calcium hydroxide showed the maximum antibacterial activity (5.3X10⁴ CFU/ml) followed by Pomegranate gel (5.4 X10⁴ CFU/ml) with no statistically significant difference between them. Similarly, no statistically significant difference was observed between the mean CFU/ml values of the neem (10.2 X10⁴ CFU/ml) and tulsi gel (10.2 X10⁴ CFU/ml). However, pomegranate gel showed statistically significant antibacterial activity when compared to Neem and Tulsi. (Table 1, Table 2, Table 3, table 4) (Figure 1). Conclusion: Calcium hydroxide showed the best antibacterial activity against E.faecalis. Among herbal gels, pomegranate showed the maximum antibacterial activity, however, further in-vivo research is required for it to be used as a sole intracanal medicament clinically.