مقایسه‌ی ضدمیکروبی عصاره‌های شیرین بیان و آلوئه‌ورا با هیپوکلریت سدیم بر بیوفیلم انتروکوکوس فکالیس

Introduction: Elimination of resistant microorganisms, particularly Enterococcus faecalis, is essential for successful endodontic therapy. Although sodium hypochlorite is considered the gold-standard root canal irrigant, its undesirable side effects have encouraged the search for effective herbal alternatives. This study aimed to compare the antimicrobial efficacy of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) and aloe vera extracts with sodium hypochlorite against E. faecalis biofilm.
Materials and Methods: In this in vitro study conducted in the School of Dentistry at Islamic Azad University (Isfahan Branch) in 1403, 60 single-rooted, single-canal teeth were prepared and inoculated with a three-week Enterococcus faecalis biofilm before being randomly assigned to four groups: positive control (normal saline), 5.25% sodium hypochlorite, licorice extract (1.4 mg/mL), and Aloe vera extract (2 mg/mL). Following irrigation, microbiological sampling was performed, and the number of colony-forming units (CFUs) was determined. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by an appropriate post hoc test at a significance level of 0.05.
Results: A statistically significant difference was observed among the four groups regarding E. faecalis colony counts (P<0.001). All experimental irrigants significantly reduced bacterial colonies compared with the control group (P<0.05). However, no statistically significant differences were found among sodium hypochlorite, licorice extract, and aloe vera extract in reducing CFU counts (P>0.05).
Conclusion: Licorice and aloe vera extracts demonstrated considerable antimicrobial activity against E. faecalis biofilm and showed efficacy comparable to sodium hypochlorite under the conditions of this study. These herbal agents may represent promising candidates for further investigation as alternative root canal irrigants.