title: Antimicrobial Efficacy of Various Essential Oils at Varying Concentrations against PeriopathogenPorphyromonas gingivalis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Porphyromonas gingivalis (P.gingivalis)is a notorious perio-pathogen with the ability to evade host defense mechanism and invade into the periodontal tissues. Many antimicrobial agents have been tested that curb its growth, although these agents tend to produce side effects such as antibiotic resistance and opportunistic infections. Therefore search for naturally occurring anti-microbials with lesser side effects is the need of the hour.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to substantiate the antimicrobial activity of various essential oils; eucalyptus oil, chamomile oil, tea tree oil and turmeric oil againstP. gingivalis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pure cultures ofP. gingivaliswere grown on selective blood agar. Antimicrobial efficacy of various concentrations of essential oils (0%, 25%, 50% and 100%) was assessed via disc diffusion test. Zone of inhibition were measured around disc after 48 hours in millimeters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Zones of inhibition were directly proportional to the concentration of essential oils tested. At 100% concentration all the tested oils possess antimicrobial activity againstP.gingivaliswith eucalyptus oil being most effective followed by tea tree oil, chamomile oil and turmeric oil.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All essential oils tested were effective againstP.gingivalis. After testing for their clinical safety they could be developed into local agents to prevent and treat periodontitis.
authors: Reader, Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dental Sciences, SGT University , Gurgaon, Delhi-NCR, India .
authors: Veenu Madaan
authors: VM
authors: Hans
authors: Professor, Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dental Sciences, SGT University , Gurgaon, Delhi-NCR, India .
authors: Harpreet Singh
authors: HS
authors: Grover
authors: Post Graduate Student, Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dental Sciences, SGT University , Gurgaon, Delhi-NCR, India .
authors: Himanshu
authors: H
authors: Deswal
authors: Microbiologist, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, SGT University , Gurgaon, Delhi-NCR, India .
authors: Preeti
authors: P
authors: Agarwal
keywords: Antibacterial; Chamomile; Eucalyptus; Periodontitis; Tea-tree; Turmeric