Antibacterial and anti-trichomunas characteristics of local landraces of Lawsonia inermis L.

BACKGROUND: Henna (Lawsonia inermis) with anti-bacterial properties has been widely used in traditional medicine especially Persian medicine. Henna oil is suggested for diseases of infectious origin, such as cervical ulcers. Group B Streptococcus agalactiae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and, Trichomonas vaginalis are involved in the infection of women especially cervicitis. Henna grows in dry and tropical regions. The main important landraces of henna landraces are cultivated in Kerman, Sistan and Baluchestan, Hormozgan, and Bushehr provinces in Iran. Proper use of antimicrobial agents, use of new antimicrobial strategies, and alternative methods, such as herbal methods may help reduce drug resistance in the future. This study's objective was to investigate the anti-Trichomonas vaginalis activity of three different henna landraces and antimicrobial effects against group B Streptococcus agalactiae and, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. METHODS: Total phenol content was measured by Folin ciocaltu method. Antibacterial effect of landraces of Henna against P. aeruginosa and S. agalactiae were assayed by well diffusion method and minimal inhibitory concentration assessments were done using the broth micro-dilution technique. Anti-Trichomonas effect of Henna landraces were assayed by Hemocytometery method. RESULTS: Total phenol content of Shahdad, Rudbar-e-Jonub, and Qaleh Ganj was 206.51, 201.96, and 254.85 µg/ml, respectively. Shahdad, Rudbar-e-Jonub, and Qaleh Ganj had MIC against GBS at 15, 15 and, 4 µg/ml. The growth inhibition diameter of the most effective henna (Shahdad landrace) at a concentration of 20 µg/ml on P. aeruginosa was 2.46 ± 0.15 cm and in the MIC method at a concentration of 5 µg/ml of Shahdad landrace, P. aeruginosa did not grow. IC50 of shahdad Henna after 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h was 7.54, 4.83 and 20.54 µg/ml, respectively. IC50 of Rudbar-e-Jonub extract was 5.76, 3.79 and 5.77 µg/ml in different days. IC50 of Qaleh Ganj extract was 6.09, 4.08 and 5.74 µg/ml in different days. CONCLUSIONS: The amount of total phenol in Qaleh Ganj was higher than the other varieties. In the well diffusion method, Qaleh Ganj was more effective against group B Streptococcus (Gram-positive bacterium) than the other two landraces, and Shahdad landrace was more effective against P. aeruginosa (Gram-negative bacterium) than other. In the MIC method, the same result was obtained as in the well diffusion method, but at a lower concentration.

The effect of Frankincense in the treatment of moderate plaque-induced gingivitis: a double blinded randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND AND THE PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Extract of Boswellia Serrata species has been used in the Indian traditional medicine in the treatment of various inflammatory diseases. The present study was designed to evaluate anti-inflammatory effects of Frankincense in the treatment of gingivitis, which is a periodontal tissue inflammatory disease. METHODS: This double blind randomized placebo controlled trial was carried out among high school female students with moderate plaque-induced gingivitis. Based on either administration of 0.1 gram of Frankincense extract or 0.2 gram of its powder or placebo and whether the patients undergone scaling and root planning (SRP) or not, they were randomly assigned to 6 groups. The primary efficacy outcome was changes in Gingival Index (Loe & Sillness) and the secondary outcomes were alteration in plaque index (Sillness & Loe), bleeding index (Cowell) and probing pocket depth (WHO probe). All indices were measured in the 0, 7th and 14th days of the study. RESULTS: Seventy five patients ranged of 15-18 years old were enrolled. At the end of the study, the indices in all groups showed significant decreases in comparison to the first day (p< 0.05), except for the bleeding index in the group without SRP and drug therapy (p=0.111). More precise analysis of data revealed that SRP in association with Frankincense application (either extract or powder) can lead to remarkable decrease in inflammatory indices in comparison to the groups without SRP and drug therapy (p<0.001). In addition, no significant difference was observed between powder or extract therapy (p >0.05) and between patients received either SRP or treatment alone (p=0.169). CONCLUSION: Frankincense, a safe and low-cost herbal medicine, may be feasibly applied to improve inflammation based disease of gingival as an adjunct to the conventional mechanical therapy.