An in vitro evaluation of the antimicrobial efficacy of Curcuma longa, Tachyspermum ammi, chlorhexidine gluconate, and calcium hydroxide on Enterococcus faecalis

AIM AND OBJECTIVES: This in vitro study was designed to comparatively evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of Curcuma longa (turmeric – T(1)-10%, T(2)-20%); Tachyspermum ammi (ajwain – A(1)-10%, A(2)-20%); chlorhexidine (CHX) gluconate gel (hexigel – 1%); and calcium hydroxide (10%) as intracanal medicaments against Enterococcus faecalis. MATERIALS AND 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 (T(2)-20%) and CHX gluconate gel (hexigel – CHX-1%) showed larger zones of microbial inhibition than C. longa (T(1)-10%) that were statistically significant (P < 0.05) and were highly significant when compared to T. ammi (ajwain – A(1) and A(2)) and calcium hydroxide. CONCLUSION: C. longa can be used as intracanal medicament in endodontic failure cases.