Abstract:
Irrigation of the root canals with antibacterial solutions is a mandatory step to reduce or eliminate micro-organisms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of garlic and ginger as irrigating solutions. The ethanolic extracts of garlic bulbs, ginger rhizomes and 2% solution of CHX were prepared. Forty single rooted teeth canal were divided into 3 groups according to the irrigant used, in addition to the positive control group where the roots were irrigated with sterile distilled water and a negative control group in which the roots were uninfected with E. faecalis. The teeth were filled with 30 μl of E. faecalis suspension
and incubated for 1 week at 37ºC. They were prepared mechanically using protaper rotary files both shaper and finisher, each root was irrigated successively with 1 ml of the tested irrigant after each file and then 3 ml as a final flush. After chemo- mechanical preparation, samples were evaluated for antibacterial evaluation using brain heart infusion agar method. The components of the ethanolic extracts of garlic bulbs and ginger rhizomes were identified using LC/ESI-MS analysis. The highest antibacterial activity was observed in ginger extract followed by 2% CHX solution, and garlic extract. Zingerone, gingerol and [6]-shogaol were the major components determined in ginger extract using LC/ESI-MS, while garlic extract was rich in di-2-propenyldisulfide, methyl-2-propenyl trisulfide, 3-vinyl-1,2-dithiocyclohex-4-ene and di-2-propenyltrisulfide. The ethanolic extracts of both garlic bulbs and ginger rhizomes can be used as endodontic irrigants during the root canal treatment for their antimicrobial effects.
