title: Anti-microbial Efficacy of Soursop Leaf Extract (Annona muricata) on Oral Pathogens: An In-vitro Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Annona muricataalso called as Soursop is a, flowering evergreen tree native to Mexico, Cuba, Central America and parts of India. The miracle tree as it is widely known as a natural cancer killer that is 10,000 times stronger than chemotherapy. Based on these miraculous claims, the leaves of these plants were used as an extract at varying concentrations as an antibacterial agent against oral pathogens.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to assess antimicrobial efficacy of Soursop leaf extarct (Annona muricata) onStreptococcus mutans,Streptococcus mitis,Porphyromonas gingivalis,Prevotella intermediaandCandida albicansusing disc diffusion method.
  
  
  METHODS
  Extracts ofAnnona muricataleaves of concentrations of 1%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% were prepared. The anti-microbial efficacy was evaluated using disc diffusion method againstStreptococcus mutans,Streptococcus mitis,Porphyromonas gingivalis,Prevotella intermediaandCandida albicanson agar plates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All concentrations of extracts were effective on the microbiota except for theP. Intermedia. The Soursop extract was highly effective onCandidaspecies, with all concentrations exhibiting bactericidal and fungicidal property. The extracts at different concentration were effective when compared to the gold standard controls and the effect was statistically significant (p<0.05). Data obtained was analysed using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's post-hoc test.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Soursop extracts were efficient for all test organisms expectP. intermedia. The present study demonstrated the in-vitro efficacy of Soursop was highest againstS. mutansfollowed byC. albicansand least onP. intermedia. Hence, this study proves to an extent that the Soursop extract when used against oral microbiota has sufficient anti-microbial and fungicidal property.
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal University , Mangaluru, Karnataka, India .
authors.forename: Bh Mithun
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Pai
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal University , Mangaluru, Karnataka, India .
authors.forename: Gururagavendra
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rajesh
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal University , Mangaluru, Karnataka, India .
authors.forename: Ramya
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shenoy
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal University , Mangaluru, Karnataka, India .
authors.forename: Ashwini
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rao
keywords: Dental caries; Periodontal disease; Streptococcus mutans