Methods: Essential oil extracted from the leaves of Gaultheria procumbens by steam distillation was diluted in 99% ethanol. The endodontic pathogens used to test in the present study were Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 19433,Candida albicans ATCC 10231 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538. The inhibitory activity of the oil at the concentration of 20% (v/v) against all test pathogens was performed by agar disc diffusion method.
Results: By agar disc diffusion method,G.procumbens essential oil exhibited the inhibition zones against E.faecalis,C.albicans and S.aureus of >30 mm, 10 mm and 20 mm, respectively.
Conclusions: G.procumbens essential oil was demonstrated to have strong inhibitory activity against all endodontic pathogens tested. It could be use as a potential source of antimicrobial agents in intra root canal medication.