title: An in vitro evaluation of the antimicrobial efficacy of Curcuma longa, Tachyspermum ammi, chlorhexidine gluconate, and calcium hydroxide on Enterococcus faecalis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This in vitro study was designed to comparatively evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of Curcuma longa (turmeric - T1-10%, T2-20%); Tachyspermum ammi (ajwain - A1-10%, A2-20%); chlorhexidine (CHX) gluconate gel (hexigel - 1%); and calcium hydroxide (10%) as intracanal medicaments against Enterococcus faecalis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Agar plates were prepared using brain-heart infusion (BHI) agar. Cultures of E. faecalis were grown in BHI broth at 37°C. Well diffusion method was used to derive results. Plates were inoculated for 72 h at 37°C and microbial zones of inhibition were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed with repeated measures analysis of variance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  C. longa (T2-20%) and CHX gluconate gel (hexigel - CHX-1%) showed larger zones of microbial inhibition than C. longa (T1-10%) that were statistically significant (P < 0.05) and were highly significant when compared to T. ammi (ajwain - A1 and A2) and calcium hydroxide.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  C. longa can be used as intracanal medicament in endodontic failure cases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontics, Sudha Rustagi College of Dental Sciences, N.I.T. Faridabad, Haryana, India.
authors.forename: Hemanshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kumar
keywords: Chlorhexidine gluconate gel; Curcuma longa; Enterococcus faecalis; Tachyspermum ammi