Antibacterial Effect of Matricaria chamomilla L. Extract Against Enterococcus faecalis

PURPOSE: With the demand for better efficiency during endodontic therapy, the purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the efficiency of ethyl acetate (EthOAc) extract of Matricaria chamomilla (L.) against Enterococcus faecalis and compare with standard root canal irrigation solutions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The antibacterial effect against Enterococcus faecalis of the EthOAc extract of Matricaria chamomilla was assessed without, or with dentine powder, using agar disk diffusion method. The inhibition zones induced by the EthOAc extract were observed after 5 minutes, 60 minutes, and 24 hours and compared with standard irrigation solutions (2% chlorhexidine and 2% sodium hypochlorite) without, or after mixing with dentine powder. Statistical analysis of the results were analysed with the Kruskal–Wallis test and one-way ANOVA. RESULTS: There was no inhibition zone in samples with and without dentine powder after combination of ethyl acetate extract of Matricaria chamomilla with sodium hypochlorite. When the extract was used alone in samples without dentine powder, the inhibition zone was 9.7 mm after 24 h, but this zone was decreased after adding dentine powder (7.7 mm). When the extract was used in combination with CHX, the inhibition zone in samples with dentine powder was 25.3 mm, but it was decreased after adding dentine powder (21.7 mm). CONCLUSION: The EthOAc extract of Matricaria chamomilla as alternative root canal irrigant may be a useful natural agent with antibacterial activity against Enterococcus faecalis. Also, it showed promising results in endodontic therapy after combination with chlorhexidine in Enterococcus faecalis eradication.