Evaluation of the antibacterial effect of propolis and its application in mouthwash

Introduction: This study aimed to determine the antibacterial properties of Propolis in a laboratory environment and to use it to produce antibacterial mouthwash with minimal complications. Methods: In this experimental laboratorial study, the alcoholic extract of Propolis was first prepared. Then the Minimum Inhibitory (MIC) was calculated for four bacterial species of staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Enterococcus faecalis using the agar dilution test. Using the MIC, the Propolis antibacterial mouthwash was produced and compared to water, chlorhexidine and Listerine in laboratory rats for clinical examination. Salivary specimens of rats were collected 12 hours, 1 week and 2 weeks after using the mouthwash and examined by the Real Time PCR (RT-PCR). Data were analyzed by SPSS using one-way ANOVA and the repeated measure of ANOVA (α=0.05). Results : The results of agar dilution test by number of colony forming unit showed the lowest MIC for Staphylococcus aureus and the highest for Lactobacillus acidophilus. On the other hand, the results of RT-PCR showed that water alone had no effect on the level of oral bacteria. In the case of Streptococcus mutans, Enterococcus faecalis and Lactobacillus Acidophilus, the Propolis mouthwash showed a significant difference with chlorhexidine and Listerin(P <0.05), while chlorhexidine and Listerin had lower effect in comparison. As for Staphylococcus aureus, there was no significant difference between chlorhexidine and Propolis (P =0.110), but Listerine had lower effect than either (P <0.05). Conclusion : The results of the study suggested that the Propolis mouthwash had a better effect on the oral bacteria.