title: Evaluation of antiplaque activity of Azadirachta indica leaf extract gel--a 6-week clinical study.
abstract: Various chemical agents have been evaluated over the years with respect to their antimicrobial effects in the oral cavity; however, all are associated with side effects that prohibit regular long-term use. Therefore, the effectiveness of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) leaf extract against plaque formation was assessed in males between the age group of 20-30 years over a period of 6 weeks. Present study includes formulation of mucoadhesive dental gel containing Azadirachta indica leaf extract (25 mg/g). A 6-week clinical study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of neem extract dental gel with commercially available chlorhexidine gluconate (0.2% w/v) mouthwash as positive control. Microbial evaluation of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacilli species was carried out to determine the total decrease in the salivary bacterial count over a period of treatment using a semi-quantitative four quadrant streaking method. The results of the study suggested that the dental gel containing neem extract has significantly (P<0.05) reduced the plaque index and bacterial count than that of the control group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, 576119, Manipal, India
authors.forename: M Raveendra
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Pai
authors.forename: Leelavathi D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Acharya
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Udupa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D031601:Azadirachta; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D007777:Lactobacillaceae / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018515:Plant Leaves; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D005782:Gels; D010936:Plant Extracts