Effect of thymus vulgaris extract on streptococci and mutans streptococci, in comparison to chlorhexidine gluconate (in vivo study)

A. Al-Timimi, Eman; AL-Casey, Mohammed

	Effect of thymus vulgaris extract on streptococci and mutans streptococci, in comparison to chlorhexidine gluconate (in vivo study)
Journal of baghdad college of dentistry
Article 1, Volume 24, Issue 3, 2012, Pages 116-121
Authors
Eman A. Al-Timimi; Mohammed AL-Casey
Abstract
Background: Thymus vulgaris L. (Thyme) is an aromatic plant which has been used since ancient times for its culinary and medicinal effects almost everywhere in the world. In Medicine, it is used as antispasmolytic, antibacterial, antifungal, expectorant, and antiseptic. Externally, it is used in the treatment of tonsillitis, gum diseases, and fungal infections. The aim of this study was to test the effects of Thymus Vulgaris extract on the viable count of Salivary Streptococci and Mutans Streptococci and on salivary flow rate and pH in comparison to Chlorhexidine Gluconate 0.2% and de-ionized water in vivo. Materials and method: Thymus vulgaris extract was prepared and different concentrations of Thyme extract were prepared and estimated in gm /100 ml of De-ionized water. Chlorhexidine gluconate 0.2% used as a control positive; while deionized water was used as a control negative. Stimulated saliva was collected from 15 volunteers, divided into three groups each group rinsed with one of the tested agents (Chlorhexidine, Thyme extract and De-ionized water) for one minute. The counts of bacteria were recorded at different time point (before rinsing, one minute after rinsing, 15 minutes, 30 minutes and one hour). Colonies were counted using colony counter. Salivary pH and volume of saliva were measured also. Results: Thymus Vulgaris extract had a significant antimicrobial activity against Streptococci and Mutans Streptococci in the following time points (15 minutes and 30 minute) and a highly significant reduction in the counts of salivary streptococci and Mutans Streptococci (P<0.001) had been found after one hour, but Chlorhexidine is still more effective than other agents in reduction of salivary counts of these two types of bacteria. Salivary flow rates and pH was measured for the three agents before and after rinsing for five time intervals. Immediately after rinsing, salivary flow rates and pH increased for the three mouth rinses. The increase in Salivary flow rates and pH continued after half an hour and then started to decrease after one hour for Chlorhexidine and Thymus vulgaris extract. Chlorhexidine had the highest increase in salivary flow rates and pH followed by Thymus Vulgaris then De-ionized water. Conclusion: Thymus Vulgaris extract was effective against both Streptococci and Mutans Streptococci and Chlorhexidine is still more effective than other agents
Keywords
Mutans Streptococci; Thymus Vulgaris extracts; chlorhexidine

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