Publication:

Comparative antibacterial efficacy of a commercially available herbal mouthwash and chlorhexidine mouthwash against Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans: an in vitro study

Background Dental caries and periodontal diseases are widespread oral health problems caused primarily by plaque-forming microorganisms. While chlorhexidine (CHX) is widely used and highly effective as a chemical plaque-control agent, its prolonged use is limited by side effects such as staining and altered taste. This has led to growing interest in herbal mouthwashes, which offer antimicrobial benefits with fewer adverse effects, making them a promising natural alternative for long-term oral hygiene. To compare the antibacterial efficacy of a herbal mouthwash (Turmwash™) with chlorhexidine (Hexidine™) against Actinomyces actinomycetemcomitans using agar well diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assays.

Methods A. actinomycetemcomitans (ATCC 29522) was revived and cultured. Antibacterial activity of Turmwash™ and Hexidine™ was assessed by measuring zones of inhibition (ZOI) on Mueller–Hinton agar. MIC was determined using two-fold serial dilutions (1000–1.95 µg/mL) in Mueller–Hinton broth, followed by resazurin-based growth confirmation. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, with p<0.05 considered significant.

Results Mean ZOI values for Turmwash™ ranged from 20–22 mm, while Hexidine™ showed ZOI values of 24–25 mm. Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference between the two (p = 0.125). MIC assays demonstrated that Turmwash™ inhibited bacterial growth between 15.62 µg/ml and 31.25 µg/mL, with higher concentrations showing complete inhibition.

Conclusions Although Hexidine™ exhibited slightly higher antibacterial activity, the difference compared with the herbal mouthwash was not statistically significant. Turmwash™ demonstrated substantial antibacterial efficacy against A. actinomycetemcomitans, suggesting it may serve as a potential natural alternative to chlorhexidine with reduced risk of side effects.