title: Antimicrobial efficacy of endodontic irrigants from Azadirachta indica: An in vitro study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study analyzed the antimicrobial effect of five irrigants formulated from different parts of the tree Azadirachta indica (Neem) and compared with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite and 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate through an agar diffusion test.
  
  
  METHODS
  A clinical isolate of Candida albicans was innoculated on Sabourad Dextrose Agar and Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212) on Sheep Blood Agar. Wells with 6 mm diameter were created in agar and 100 μL aliquiots of each irrigant were introduced to five different wells. After incubation, the largest uniform diameter of the inhibition zone was recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The leaf extract of the tree and a mixture of the seed-bark powder dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide were active against both organisms. The other neem-based irrigants, a leaf powder dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide, aqueous bark decoction and neem oil, did not possess any antimicrobial efficacy. Sodium hypochlorite completely inhibited growth of C. albicans and the leaf extract had larger inhibition zones than chlorhexidine (p = 0.011) or the seed-bark irrigant (p = 0.008). Against E. faecalis, inhibition zones with chlorhexidine were the largest and differed significantly from sodium hypochlorite (p = 0.039), leaf extract (p = 0.008) and seed-bark irrigant (p = 0.011).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Two neem irrigants displayed antimicrobial properties. The efficacy of the standard endodontic irrigants varied depending on the organisms tested.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neem-based endodontic irrigants may be formulated for clinical application.
authors: Restorative Dentistry, Glasgow Dental Hospital , Glasgow , UK.
authors: Arindam
authors: A
authors: Dutta
authors: Mala
authors: M
authors: Kundabala
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D031601:Azadirachta / Q000737:chemistry*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects; D004708:Endodontics; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000187:drug effects; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants