Ehretia laevis leaves: Potential herbal remedy for mouth microflora

Abstract

The advantages and uses of folklore herbs have been acclaimed and executed from ancient times in India. The use of these Folklore remedial herbs for therapeutic applications is contributing to maintenance of human health. The ancient literature, i.e., Ayurveda and Unani, also describes the global usage of herbal medicine for treatment, and its formulation’s concoction for prevention of various diseases. Ehretia laevis is a conventional therapeutic herb from ancient times, frequently designated as Khandu Chakka by local people in Maharashtra. E. laevis leaves are used in the treatment of skin infections, fungal infections, mouth blisters, eczema, cuts and wounds, diabetes, asthma, fever and joint pain etc. The leaf of this plant contains abundant therapeutically beneficial secondary metabolites besides primary metabolites. This paper describes antimicrobial sensitivity of E. laevis leaf (fresh and dried) acetone and ethyl alcohol (95%) soxhlet extract and dried leaf dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) extract (prepared after from evaporation of acetone in dried leaf acetone extract) against isolated oral microbial flora i.e., Streptococcus spp, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida spp. Amoxicillin in dimethyl sulphoxide was also tested for antimicrobial sensitivity. The result revealed that E. laevis fresh leaf ethyl alcohol and acetone extract and dried leaf acetone and DMSO extract was efficacious against isolated oral microbial flora. The extracts showed positive results for flavonoids and tannins. The results showed the antibacterial and antifungal potential of this folklore plant, particularly against S. aureus and Candida spp., which are microorganisms that are becoming resistant against most therapeutic drugs. This use of this folklore herb requires further study on pharmacological drug formulations. And it can also be used in herbal products i.e., toothpastes, mouthwash etc.