title: The efficacy of neem extract on four microorganisms responsible for causing dental caries viz Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus salivarius, Streptococcus mitis and Streptococcus sanguis: an in vitro study.
abstract: HISTORY AND OBJECTIVES: From the ancient time, neem used to be the traditional medicine for many diseases and was mainly used for cleaning the oral cavity. The incidence of dental caries was less a few decades ago but now the incidence of caries is very aggressive. This might be due to change in dietary habits, life style and more tendency toward processed food. The objective of this study is to find out the truth that if the neem is really efficacious against caries-inducing microorganisms, mainly Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus salivarius, Streptococcus mitis and Streptococcus sanguis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The dried neem sticks ground into a coarse powder and weighed into 5, 10 and 50 gm were added to 100 ml of deionized double distilled water. After soaking for 2 days, the water was filtered at 4 °C and the fine filtrate was inoculated onto blood agar plates contains individual species of microorganisms and incubated at 37 °C for 2 days.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At maximum concentrations, neem extract has shown the maximum zone of inhibition on Streptococcus mutans. At less concentration, the efficacy of neem has shown some inhibition of growth for all the four species of microorganisms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neem chewing provides the maximum benefits. Hence, the use of chewing sticks of neem can be recommended.
authors: Department of Oral Surgery, Rama Dental College and Research Centre, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. venkatomfs@gmail.com
authors: Venkateswara Rao
authors: VR
authors: Chava
authors: S M
authors: SM
authors: Manjunath
authors: A V
authors: AV
authors: Rajanikanth
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Sridevi
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D031601:Azadirachta; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011208:Powders; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000187:drug effects*; D034361:Streptococcus mitis / Q000187:drug effects; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects; D013298:Streptococcus sanguis / Q000187:drug effects; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D034363:Viridans Streptococci / Q000187:drug effects*; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011208:Powders; D014867:Water