Background: Garlic is a plant with antimicrobial effects and different concentrations of garlic extract can decrease oral microorganisms. This study evaluates the effectiveness of different concentrations of garlic extract in an oral salivary microbial population.
Methods: A total of 40 patients were selected based on information obtained through a questionnaire. Saliva samples were collected from all 40 subjects in dry plastic vials by spitting. Each sample was divided into 3 groups (2 cases and 1 control). One milliliter of sample was added to 9 mL of sterile physiologic serum and mixed. Then, this mixture was serially diluted to prepare a 10-3 suspension. One mL of garlic hydro-alcoholic extract was added to 1 mL each of the case specimens and transferred to a Trypticase Soy Agar (TSA) culture medium. Case specimens were exposed to 40% and 70% concentrations of garlic extract after 30 and 60 seconds. Control specimens were prepared by the same method, but without exposure to garlic extract. All samples were incubated at 37°C for 48 hours. Assessments were made based on colony counts to determine inhibitory activity of garlic extracts on oral salivary microorganisms.
Results: There was a significant reduction in colony forming unit (CFU) at 30 and 60 seconds for 40% concentrations of garlic extracts in comparison to the control group. In other words, 78% and 83.5% reduction in CFU, respectively. On the other hand, for the 70% concentrations, an 86.5% and 90.8% reduction occurred in CFU at 30 and 60 seconds, correspondingly.The mean colony counts of salivary microbial population at the 70% concentration were 771.72 ± 703.86 at 30 seconds and 524.8 ± 497.4 at 60 seconds.
Conclusion: According to our findings, garlic extract is effective in the reduction of an oral microbial population.It may be useful as an alternative product and new treatment modality with fewer side effects.