IADR Abstract Archives
Exploring the Potential of Jatropha Curcas as an Anticaries Agent
Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate the anticaries potential of both the leaf and latex of J.curcas by investigating their inhibitory effect against growth of caries causing bacteria, Streptococcus mutans.
Methods: Dried aqueous leaf extract and dried latex of J.curcas, diluted to specific concentration, were used in this study. The total phenolic content of both the aqueous leaf extract and latex was determined using tannin as standard. To study the effect of the extract on S.mutans viability, determination of the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was conducted using the 2-fold broth dilution method. The MIC value was then used as a reference point to assess the toxicity of the extracts using the haemolytic study. To assess the stability of the extract, the effect of the extract on S.mutans viability was assessed over a six-month period.
Results: Investigation on the phenolic content of both the aqueous leaf extract and latex showed that the concentration of phenolic compound (tannin equivalent) is about 7-fold higher in latex compared to the aqueous leaf extract. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) determination showed that bacterial growth is visibly inhibited by the latex at a concentration of 125 mg/ml (the MIC value). However, no visible inhibition was observed for the aqueous leaf extract at concentration of up to 16mg/ml. Investigation for possible latex toxicity showed no red blood cell hemolysis at the MIC value of 125mg/ml. Stability study of the dried latex showed that the latex, kept at 4oC and room temperature, respectively, remain active up to six months in both storage condition.
Conclusions: The latex of J. curcas has potential as an anticaries agent and therefore, warrants further investigations.
Methods: Dried aqueous leaf extract and dried latex of J.curcas, diluted to specific concentration, were used in this study. The total phenolic content of both the aqueous leaf extract and latex was determined using tannin as standard. To study the effect of the extract on S.mutans viability, determination of the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was conducted using the 2-fold broth dilution method. The MIC value was then used as a reference point to assess the toxicity of the extracts using the haemolytic study. To assess the stability of the extract, the effect of the extract on S.mutans viability was assessed over a six-month period.
Results: Investigation on the phenolic content of both the aqueous leaf extract and latex showed that the concentration of phenolic compound (tannin equivalent) is about 7-fold higher in latex compared to the aqueous leaf extract. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) determination showed that bacterial growth is visibly inhibited by the latex at a concentration of 125 mg/ml (the MIC value). However, no visible inhibition was observed for the aqueous leaf extract at concentration of up to 16mg/ml. Investigation for possible latex toxicity showed no red blood cell hemolysis at the MIC value of 125mg/ml. Stability study of the dried latex showed that the latex, kept at 4oC and room temperature, respectively, remain active up to six months in both storage condition.
Conclusions: The latex of J. curcas has potential as an anticaries agent and therefore, warrants further investigations.