Aim: To evaluate and compare the antimicrobial properties of propolis and calcium hydroxide alone and in combination with ciprofloxacin and moxifloxacin against Enterococcus faecalis (E. Faecalis).
Materials and methods: The laboratory study was carried out to test the effectiveness of propolis and calcium hydroxidealone as well as in combination with the established endodontic medicaments (moxifloxacin and ciprofloxacin). The various combinations were-group 1: propolis, group 2: calcium hydroxide, group 3: moxifloxacin, group 4: ciprofoxacin, group 5: propolis + moxifloxacin, group 6: propolis + Ciprofloxacin, group 7: calcium hydroxide + ciprofloxacin, group 8: calcium hydroxide + moxifloxacin. The efficacy of these medicaments was tested by checking for the zone of inhibition for the specific strain (ATCC 29212) of E. faecalis at different time intervals, i.e. 24, 48 and 72 hours.
Results: Mean zone of inhibition was maximum in group V (21.94 ± 4.26) followed by group VI (18.80 ± 1.93), group I (18.71 ± 4.26), group VIII (15.88 ± 2.59), group III (14.91 ± 1.00), group VII (14.57 ± 2.17), group IV (13.91 ± 1.00) and minimum in group II (12.89 ± 2.14). Mean zone of inhibition was found to be maximum at 72 hours and minimum at 24 hours. At all time intervals, the combination of Propalis with Moxifocacin showed the maximum antimicrobial efficacy.
Conclusion: On the basis of the results of the present study, it can be concluded that propolis and calcium hydroxide show synergistic effect with moxifloxacin and ciprofloxacin against E. Faecalis. Propolis in combination with antibiotics and alone is more effective than calcium hydroxide.
Clinical significance: Since propolis alone and in combination with antibiotics was observed to be more effective than calcium hydroxide, propolis can be considered as an intracanal medicament when compared to traditional calcium hydroxide.
Keywords: Calcium hydroxide; Ciprofloxacin, E. faecalis; Intracanal medicaments; Laboratory research; Moxifloxacin; Propolis..