Selective activity of Streblus asper on Mutans streptococci

The purpose of this in vivo one group time series design and single blind s tudy was to determine the antimicrobial effectiveness of a mouthrinse conta ining Streblus asper leaf extract on Streptococcus mutans and total salivar y bacteria following single 60 s rinse. Changing in salivary pH and buffer capacity during the experimental period were also measured. Thirty human su bjects participated in this study. At each experimental session, a pretest saliva sample was taken. After giving the pretest samples, the subjects rin sed with S. asper leaf extract or distilled water control for 60 s, then th e post-test saliva samples were collected at 0, 0.5, 1, 3, 5 and 6 h. The s amples were used to determine the numbers of S. mutans and total salivary b acteria. The results indicated that S. asper leaf extract significantly red uced S. mutans counts compared with distilled water. However, the mean diff erence from baseline of total salivary bacterial counts was not significant ly different between rinsing with S. asper leaf extract and distilled water . Moreover, S. asper leaf extract showed no effects in modifying the saliva ry pH and buffer capacity. It is concluded that of mouthrinse containing S. asper leaf extract can reduce S. mutans without changing an oral ecology. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.