ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES OF ARECA CATECHU (ARECA NUT) HUSK EXTRACTS AGAINST COMMON ORAL PATHOGENS

The husk fibres of Areca catechu (areca nut) are reported to be used b y the people of rural areas of Dakshina Kannada , Ka rnataka for cleaning their teeth. The beneficial effects of these plant materials are not scientifically proven, so the study was carried out to estimate the antimicrobial properties of A. catechu against common oral pathogens. These antimicrobial properti es in addition to mechanical cleansing property of the fibers of areca nut could improve the oral health. Alcoholic and aqueous extracts of husk of Areca catechu were prepared and antimicrobial properties against common oral pathogens like Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus salivarius, Streptococcus mitis, Lactobacillus acidophilus , Candida albicans, Prevotella intermedia were performed by agar well diffusion method. Alcoholic extract of Areca catechu husk fibers showed dose dependent positive in hi bitory effect against Candida albicans with zone of inhibition of 5 - 9 mm. Alcoholic and aqueous extracts did not show significant antimicrobial activity against other tested organisms . As our study failed to demonstrate significant inhibitory effect on cariogeni c organisms and a periodontal pathogen, we conclude that areca husk when used for routine oral care, would improve the oral health primarily through mechanical clean sing rather than antimicrobial activity. However, the results indicate that areca husk cont ains chemical components that has antifungal effect. Therefore this plant material can be a potential source for developing natural antifungal agents against C. albicans which is a common oral pathogen.