Successful root canal treatment involves the complete elimination of microorganism from the root canal. Enterococcus faecalis is the most recalcitrant bacteria commonly found in failed/infected root canals. The need for efficacious, modest and nontoxic substitutes has led to the search for natural plant compounds. Considering the side effects of non-herbal irrigants, herbal medicines are gaining popularity. The present study was aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of Withania somnifera, a medicinal plant, chlorhexidine (CHX) and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) against Enterococcus faecalis. The bacterial Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212) was maintained by using LB medium. Antibacterial inhibition was assessed using agar well diffusion method. The irrigants were added to respective wells in agar plates and incubated at 37°C for 24 hours. Bacterial inhibition zone around each well was recorded. Results say that Withania somnifera root extract showed the highest zone of inhibition against E. faecalis i.e. 19.2 mm. The results of this study indicated significant antimicrobial effects of the mentioned Withania somnifera on E. faecalis. The greatest antimicrobial activity belonged to 5% root extract. This experiment suggests that extract of Withania somnifera root has the potential to be used as a root canal irrigant.
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