Determination of Minimal Inhibitory Concentration of Gel containing combination of Picrorhiza Kurroa and Ficus Benghalensis for Treatment of Periodontitis

Background: The therapeutic effects of Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex benth and Ficus benghalensis L. for treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases is well known. Objective: The purpose of the present study is assessment of the efficacy of gel containing combination of Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex benth and Ficus benghalensis L. against periodontopathogens and hydroalcoholic extracts of Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex benth (PK) and Ficus benghalensis L. (FB) against periodontopathogens. Material & Methods:  The preparation of the herbal Water extracts, Alcohol extracts and Hydro Alcoholic extracts was done by Soxhlet extraction method. MIC of different extracts of PK and FB and its combination was determined. Results: The MIC of the PK water extract against Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) and Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) was 0.8 μg/ml. For Aa and Pg, the MIC of water extract of FB was 1.6 μg/ml and 6.25 μg/ml, respectively. The combination of PK and FB alcoholic extract was shown to have a MIC of 1.6 μg/ml. Conclusion: The presence of antibacterial activity could be confirmed in periodontopathogens species which were assayed in this study. However, the MIC for the species employed showed a very large range, and were mostly very high. Nevertheless, traditional knowledge might provide some leads to elucidate potential candidates for future development of new antibiotic agents.