A Comparative Evaluation of Antimicrobial Efficacy of Various Intracanal Medicaments (Curcuma longa, Honey, Nitrofurantoin, and Calcium Hydroxide) on Enterococcus faecalis: An In Vitro Study

Background: In the modern era of dentistry, natural and herbal alternatives are favored since they are renewable, have fewer adverse effects, and are cost-effective. Purpose: To assess the effectiveness of different intracanal medications in eliminating Enterococcus faecalis. Materials and Methods: In total, 50 single-rooted extracted teeth were decoronated at the cemento-enamel junction followed by the preparation of the canal. Then, in each of the presterilized samples, inoculum containing the E. faecalis was transferred and incubated at 37 degrees C for 24 hours. Samples were allocated into 5 groups of 10 each: Group A (saline), Group B (calcium hydroxide), Group C (Curcuma longa), Group D (honey), and Group E (nitrofurantoin group). The medicaments were injected into the canals respectively, the antibacterial assessment was done on the 1st and 7th day. Dentinal shavings are incubated and streaked on Mueller-Hinton agar plates and incubated for 24 hours at 37 degrees C and the colony forming units (CFUs) were assessed. Results: Among all the groups, there was a significant change in the number of colonies from Day 1 to Day 7, except in Group A (saline). Comparison between the groups revealed significant differences, with better efficacy by Group D (honey) followed by Group E (nitrofurantoin) and Group C (C. longa). The least antimicrobial efficacy was observed with calcium hydroxide and no activity with saline. Conclusion: Honey has the greatest antimicrobial efficacy among all the tested intra-canal medicament groups.