Phytochemical and Antibacterial Potential of Vernonia Adoensis Stem Bark to Curb Cariogenic Microorganisms

Background: Oral diseases are one of the most common diseases of humankind, which have received little attention globally. Weak health care systems, high cost of conventional oral hygiene agents and drug resistance are the major confounding factors in the fight against oral infections. Plants offer alternative arsenal of cheap and safe agents in enhancing oral health. Additionally plants present a blend of compounds which work concertedly against the microbes. This mechanisms of action provides negligible chances of drug resistance. This study was undertaken to assess the antibacterial activity of Vernonia adoensis against selected common oral microorganisms. Objectives: To test the phytochemicals present and the antibacterial activity of methanol and acetone extracts of Vernonia adoensis stem bark against selected cariogenic microorganisms. Methodology: The plant samples were extracted using maceration method using methanol and acetone as solvents. Phytochemicals screening was done using standard procedures with minor adjustments and antibacterial activity was done using disc diffusion method. Results: The plant extracts were found to inhibit the growth of all selected cariogenic bacteria, except Streptococcus pyogenes which was found to be resistant against the acetone extract. All phytochemicals tested in the plant stem bark were present. Discussion: The effectiveness of the plant against cariogenic bacteria could be attributed to the presence of various phytochemicals found in the plant. The present study demonstrates that the stem bark of Vernonia adoensis has the potential to prevent orally infectious diseases caused by the selected cariogenic microorganisms.

Author(s): Stephen W. Muhindi, Chrispus M. Ngule and Ramesh FDepartment of Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Africa, Baraton

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