Antimicrobial efficiency of Tinospora cordifolia and Ocimum tenuiflorum against Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans

BACKGROUND: The application of traditional medicinal plants and their products for treatment has been an integral part of our culture and continues to play a key role as many infectious microorganisms are resistant to synthetic drugs. Tinospora cordifolia and Ocimum tenuiflorum herbs have shown medicinal properties and have gained importance in modern research. AIMS: This study assessed the antimicrobial activities of Tinospora cordifolia and Ocimum tenuiflorum against Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans to conventional medications such as chlorhexidine and nystatin. METHODOLOGY: The S. mutans and C. albicans were grown and maintained on Columbia agar plates and yeast malt extract agar respectively. An ethanolic extract was made and subjected to rotary evaporation to remove the ethanol. The antimicrobial activity of plant extracts was determined using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. The standard drugs, 10 μg/disc nystatin and 0.12% chlorhexidine, were used as a positive control. The zone of inhibition was measured after 24 hours. RESULTS: At a concentration of 3 mgs., the zone of inhibition of 25.6 mm was found with T. cordifolia, followed by 15.8 mm with O. tenuiflorum against S. mutans, and 0.12% chlorhexidine, at 21.7 ± 0.43 mm. A zone of inhibition of 23 mm and 22.9 mm was observed in both T. cordifolia and O. tenuiflorum against C. albicans, respectively. Positive control of nystatin showed 26.1 ± 0.46 mm. CONCLUSION: Tinospora cordifolia has better antimicrobial activity against S. mutans compared to Ocimum tenuiflorum. Whereas at higher concentrations, both extracts were effective against C. albicans.