Antimicrobial and Antifungal Activities of Ethanol and Aqueous Crude Extracts of Hymenocardia acida Stem Against Selected Dental Caries Pathogens

The ethanol and aqueous crude extracts of Hymenocardia acida stem showed inhibitory activity against all the tested microorganisms, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus auricularis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus mutans, Candida albicans, Aspergilus flavus, Microsporium gypseum and Bacillus subtilis. The largest zone of inhibition was obtained with the ethanolic extract (100 mg/ml) against S. mutans (16.73 ± 0.07 mm) and the least zone of inhibition was obtained with the aqueous extract (100 mg/ml) against S. pyogenes (5.83 ± 0.03 mm). Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) were also determined against the selected microorganisms showing zones of inhibition ≥ 6.25 mm for MIC and ≥ 12.25 mm for MBC. Phytochemical screening indicates the availability of secondary metabolites in the plant. This study reveals that the stem of H. acida possess antifungal and antibacterial activities respectively and can be used as a potential source of antimicrobial ingredients to cure dental carries pathogens.