Citrullus colocynthis (bitter apple) extracts shows strong antibacterial effects against dental infection pathogens 

Authors

  • Sayyad Ahmad Reza Amini Department of microbiology,kherad institu of higher education,Bushehr,Iran.
  • Behdokht Jamali Department of microbiology,kherad institu of higher education,Bushehr,Iran.
  • Katayoun Aliyari Dr.aliyaripathobiolab,borujerd,iran
  • Hadi Shakerin Research Center for Prevention of Oral and Dental Diseases, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  • Roohollah Zarei koosha Applied Microbiology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Email: Rohollah.kos

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22034/LSSJ.2025.147

Keywords:

: Extract, bitter apple, Flavonoid, dental infection.

Abstract

Abstract

Background: One of the factors involved in tooth decay is pathogenic bacteria, which due to the development of antibiotic resistance in them, it is necessary to invent new treatment options. One of these therapeutic approaches is to investigate the potential of medicinal plant extracts with antibacterial properties against pathogenic bacteria that cause tooth decay.

Objectives: Therefore, in the present study, the antimicrobial effects of aqueous, ethanolic and methanolic extracts of Citrullus colocynthis (bitter apple) were studied on pathogens isolated from dental infections.

Methods: Aqueous, ethanolic and methanolic extracts of bitter apple fruit were prepared and their total phenol content, total flavonoid content and antioxidant capacity were studied. In the next step, two clinical isolates of Streptococcus mutans and Bacillus subtilis were exposed to different extracts of bitter apple fruit to check the antibacterial effects based on disc diffusion method. Broth microdilution method was used to determine MIC.

Results: Ethanol extract of bitter apple fruit showed the highest content of total phenol, total flavonoid and antioxidant capacity equivalent to ascorbic acid. All the extracts showed antibacterial effects on the isolates in the disc diffusion test. The MICs of aqueous, ethanolic and methanolic extracts of bitter apple fruit against the clinical isolate of S. mutans were estimated to be 4000, 1000 and 2000 µg/ml, respectively, and all these extracts showed an MIC equal to 2000 µg/ml against B. subtilis. The MBCs of aqueous, ethanolic and methanolic extracts of bitter apple fruit were estimated to be 8000, 2000 and 4000 µg/ml against the clinical isolate of S. mutans isolated from decayed teeth, and against B. subtilis MBC was measured to be 8000, 4000 and 8000 µg/ml respectively.

Conclusions: Ethanolic extract of bitter apple has the potential to be used in combating bacteria caused dental infection.

Downloads

Published

2025-05-25

How to Cite

Amini, S. A. R. ., Jamali, B., Aliyari, K., Shakerin, H. ., & koosha, R. Z. . (2025). Citrullus colocynthis (bitter apple) extracts shows strong antibacterial effects against dental infection pathogens . Life Sciences Student Journal, 3(2), 38–44. https://doi.org/10.22034/LSSJ.2025.147

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 2 (2025): Vol.3 No.2 (2025)

Section

Articles

License

 Publisher's Own License

This work is licensed under the publisher's own license, which allows for sharing and use under specific conditions. Attribution is required; users must give appropriate credit to the original creator. Additionally, this license includes a No Commercial Usage clause, meaning that the work cannot be used for commercial purposes or for profit. Users are encouraged to share and adapt the content non-commercially, provided they adhere to these guidelines. Please ensure that you respect the terms of this license to promote a collaborative and respectful use of the work.