Published Paper Details:

Dental caries and periodontitis are prevalent and persistent oral diseases posing significant health challenges. The inclusion of fungi as commensals within oral biofilms presents a novel avenue of research in oral biology. This study reviews existing literature on biofilms, with a focus on methodologies, highlighting the coexistence of Candida albicans with bacteria in oral biofilms and its implications for oral health. The study explores the efficacy of natural products, particularly traditional herbal remedies like Tulsi, Green Tea, and Neem, as antifungal agents against drug-resistant pathogens. The current study was conducted on Alternaria isolated from patients suffering with dental caries and standard strain of Candida albicans MTCC 227, procured from IMTECH, Chandigarh. To evaluate the efficacy of these plants against oral biofilm-forming bacteria, phytochemical screening using the methanolic leaf extracts and the antimicrobial activity was checked against the isolated strains. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of several bioactive compounds in the extracts, with Eugenol from Ocimum sanctum, Catechin from Camellia sinensis and Nimbidin from Azadirachta indica. This study proposes an investigation into the potential of organic herbs to halt or inhibit dental caries and associated diseases, providing a sustainable and alternative approach to oral health management.