In vitro Investigation of Combinational Effects of Ethanolic Extracts of Zingiber Officinale and Curcuma Longa with Chlorhexidine on Streptococcus Mutans and Candida Albicans

Mollazadeh , Samaneh; Zarghami Moghaddam, Parastoo; Mokarrami, Amir Mohammad; Afshari-Safavi, Alireza; Aleyasin, Yasaman

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Volume 34, Issue 2 (5-2026)

Journal of Ilam University of Medical Sciences 2026, 34(2): 101-113

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In vitro Investigation of Combinational Effects of Ethanolic Extracts of Zingiber Officinale and Curcuma Longa with Chlorhexidine on Streptococcus Mutans and Candida Albicans

Samaneh Mollazadeh¹

, Parastoo Zarghami Moghaddam²

, Amir Mohammad Mokarrami³

, Alireza Afshari-Safavi⁴

, Yasaman Aleyasin ^*⁵

1- Natural Products and Medicinal Plants Research Center, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran & Dept of Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
2- Natural Products and Medicinal Plants Research Center, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
3- School of Dentistry, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
4- Dept of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Health, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
5- Dept of Periodontics & Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran , Aleyasiny99@gmail.com

Abstract: (483 Views)

Introduction: Given the global interest in natural therapies and the emphasis on the higher safety profile of herbal compounds, investigating the therapeutic potential of medicinal plants in managing oral infections is of paramount importance. This study was therefore designed to evaluate the combined effects of ethanolic extracts of ginger (Zingiber officinale) and turmeric (Curcuma longa) against oral pathogens – specifically, Streptococcus mutans (the causative agent of dental caries) and Candida albicans (responsible for oral candidiasis).
Materials & Methods: In this experimental-analytical (in vitro) study, ethanolic extracts of ginger and turmeric rhizomes were prepared using the maceration method. The antibacterial and antifungal effects of various combined concentrations of these extracts were evaluated against S. mutans and C. albicans using disc diffusion, well diffusion, and biofilm formation assays. Control groups included amoxicillin (100 mg/mL), nystatin (100 mg/mL), and 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash (100 mg/mL). The Kruskal-Wallis test was applied to compare the mean inhibition zone diameters across groups, with p < 0.05 as the significance threshold. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS V.22.
Results: The combined ethanolic extracts of ginger (80 mg/mL) and turmeric (20 mg/mL) demonstrated the most significant antimicrobial effects against the tested pathogens, though their efficacy was inferior to amoxicillin, nystatin (both at 100 mg/mL), and chlorhexidine mouthwash (100 mg/mL) (p<0.05). Notably, only chlorhexidine at 100 mg/mL effectively inhibited biofilm formation.
Conclusion: While the combination of ginger and turmeric extracts showed promising antimicrobial potential for oral infections, its inability to prevent biofilm formation underscores the need for further quantitative investigations (e.g., MIC/MBC determinations) and in vivo studies to comprehensively evaluate its therapeutic applications.

Keywords: Ginger, Turmeric, Streptococcus mutans, Candida albicans

Full-Text [PDF 846 kb] (182 Downloads)

Editorial Note: Research | Subject: biology
Received: 2025/12/15 | Accepted: 2026/04/18 | Published: 2026/05/26

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Mollazadeh S, Zarghami Moghaddam P, Mokarrami A M, Afshari-Safavi A, Aleyasin Y. In vitro Investigation of Combinational Effects of Ethanolic Extracts of Zingiber Officinale and Curcuma Longa with Chlorhexidine on Streptococcus Mutans and Candida Albicans. J. Ilam Uni. Med. Sci. 2026; 34 (2) :101-113
URL: http://sjimu.medilam.ac.ir/article-1-8865-en.html

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