2019 Volume 82 Issue 2 Pages 72-80
Azadirachta indica, commonly known as neem, is an evergreen tree that is a member of the Meliaceae family, and has been used mainly in India over the centuries for treatment of various diseases because of its medicinal properties. We investigated whether the aqueous extract from neem seeds has an antibacterial effect on root caries‐, oral candidiasis‐ or halitosis‐inducing Lactobacillus casei (Lc), Candida albicans (Ca) and Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) by using the paper disk methods and time‐killing kinetics assay. With the paper disk methods, 20 microliters of neem extract indicated more zones of inhibition against Lc (15.5mm±4.8mm) and Ca (15.8mm±2.5mm) than those against Fn (12.2±2.4mm). In addition, neem extract inhibited the growth of Lc and Ca, but not that of Fn at 24 hours when it was co‐cultured with the respective microorganisms in the time‐killing kinetics assay. We demonstrated that neem extract had a more effective antimicrobial activity to Lc and Ca than to Fn. These results suggest that neem extract, which is a naturally‐derived substance, is a safe antibacterial agent for controlling the pathogenesis and progression of root caries and oral candidiasis. Shika Igaku (J Osaka Odontol Soc) 2019; September; 82(2):72‐80.Key words: Neem; Antibacterial effect; Azadirachta indicaShika Igaku (J Osaka Odontol Soc) 2019 Sep;82(2):72—80.
