Comparative Evaluation of the Antibacterial Efficacy of the Aloe Vera, 3% Sodium Hypochlorite, and 2% Chlorhexidine Gluconate Against Enterococcus faecalis: An In Vitro Study

Aim To compare the antibacterial efficacy of irrigants (aloe vera, 3% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), 2% chlorhexidine (CHX), and saline) against Enterococcus faecalis using the turbidometric analysis and colony count method. Materials and Methods Eighty freshly extracted, single-rooted, human mandibular premolar teeth were taken. Access opening was done, instrumented, and autoclaved. Samples were inoculated with 10 mu L of an Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) bacterial suspension and incubated at 37 degrees C for three days. Samples were divided into four groups of 20 teeth each based on the type of irrigating solution used. Group 1 was irrigated with 3% sodium hypochlorite; Group 2 with 2% chlorhexidine; group 3 with aloe vera; and Group 4 with 0.9% saline (the control group). Ten teeth from each group were subjected to a turbidity analysis by spectrophotometer and the remaining 10 teeth from each group were tested for colony-forming units (CFU)/mL. The plates were incubated at 37 degrees C for 24 hours and CFU that were grown were counted using a bacterial colony counter. Results were subjected to an analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by a post hoc Games-Howell test. Results All the tested irrigating solutions demonstrated an antibacterial effect against E. faecalis. The greatest antimicrobial effects were observed in samples treated with 2% CHX (p<0.001). No statistically significant difference was found between 3% NaOCl and aloe vera (p > 0.001) against E. faecalis. Conclusion Two percent chlorhexidine exhibited good antimicrobial efficacy against E. faecalis. Three percent NaOCl and aloe vera showed a similar antimicrobial efficacy against E. faecalis. Aloe vera can be used as an antibacterial agent in novel drugs for the treatment of bacterial diseases.