An in vitro evaluation of the antibacterial efficacy, cytocompatibility, and pH modulation of aqueous extract of Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi) on oral streptococci and human gingival fibroblasts - 25/09/26
, N. Lolayekar a , A. Baksi a , S. Saha b , D. Mukherjee a , M.R. Nair a, ⁎ Abstract |
Background |
Ocimum sanctum Linn. (Tulsi/Holy Basil) possesses documented antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), the most common form of oral mucosal ulceration, is primarily an immune-mediated condition, with secondary microbial colonization potentially influencing lesion persistence; current therapies remain largely symptomatic.
Objective |
To evaluate the antibacterial efficacy, cytocompatibility, and pH-modulating effects of an aqueous extract of Ocimum sanctum Linn . against oral streptococci and human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) in vitro.
Methods |
An aqueous crude extract was prepared by maceration. Antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mitis (ATCC 6249) and Streptococcus sanguinis (ATCC 10,556) was assessed by agar well diffusion, direct contact, and microbroth dilution assays (n = 6/group), with blinded outcome assessment. HGF viability (healthy and serum-stressed) was evaluated using the MTT assay (50–400 µg/mL; 24 h–5 days), with ≥70% viability (ISO 10993–5) considered cytocompatible. pH changes were recorded in a sucrose-containing system over 30 minutes. Data were analyzed using non-parametric tests (α = 0.05).
Results |
Agar well diffusion showed inhibition against S. mitis (9.67 ± 0.52 mm; p = 0.002) but not S. sanguinis . Direct contact and microbroth dilution assays revealed significant reductions in viable counts for both organisms (p < 0.01); minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was 50 µg/mL for both. HGF viability remained ≥70% at 50 µg/mL through 3 days in both conditions, whereas higher concentrations reduced viability. The extract raised environmental pH from 5.5 to approximately 6.0–6.5.
Conclusion |
The aqueous extract of Ocimum sanctum Linn. demonstrated antibacterial effects against oral streptococci with acceptable cytocompatibility at lower concentrations and favorable pH modulation, supporting further translational investigation as a bioactive adjunct in oral mucosal ulcer management, with the understanding that such adjunctive use should complement, rather than substitute for, therapies directed at the primary immune-mediated etiology of RAS.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Keywords : Ocimum sanctum linn., Recurrent aphthous stomatitis, Oral streptococci, Human gingival fibroblasts, Cytocompatibility, Antibacterial activity, MTT assay
Plan
| Manju Raman Nair Professor, Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, A B Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, NITTE (Deemed to be University), Deralakatte, Mangaluru, Karnataka, India – 575,018 Contact: +91 9845,451,954 |
Vol 127 - N° 6
Article 102994- décembre 2026 Retour au numéro
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