Assessing the cytotoxic effect and antimicrobial activity of Moringa oleifera aqueous and ethanolic extract against oral pathogens extracted from periodontal and orthodontic patients

Background: Periodontitis is the result of inflammation caused due to the activity of microorganisms. The prevalence of anaerobic organisms is more when it comes to periodontal pockets and orthodontic patients. Plants with phytochemicals that could exert antimicrobial effects could aid in host modulation for management of periodontitis caused by these bacteria in periodontal and orthodontic patients Aim: To assess the antimicrobial effect of aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera Lam (MOL) and cytotoxic effect of aqueous and ethanol extracts of MOL. Materials and methods: Moringa oleifera Lam. extracts were prepared by maceration. Subgingival plaque samples were collected and microorganisms were cultured in anaerobic environment. The microorganisms were treated with the extracts and minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration was assessed. The cytotoxic effects were assessed by brine shrimp assay. Results: Aqueous extract showed antimicrobial effect in dose and time dependent manner and both extracts exhibited cytotoxic effects in a dose and time dependent manner Summary and Conclusion: The antimicrobial effect of MOL could be utilized to develop a nature derived local drug delivery system for treating plaque induced periodontitis in different clinical situations.