An In Vitro Comparison of Antimicrobial Effects of Curcumin-Based Photodynamic Therapy and Chlorhexidine, on Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans

Introduction: Considering the importance of prevention in periodontal diseases and the important role of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans in induction and progression of these diseases, the aim of the present in vitro study was to compare the antimicrobial effects of chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX), curcumin and light-emitting diode (LED) laser, on this bacterium. Methods: Antimicrobial activity of curcumin (5 mg/ml), CHX (2%), LED (120 J/cm(2)) and LED + curcumin (120 J/cm(2) + 2.5 mg/ml) against A. actinomycetemcomitans were tested in vitro, using micro-broth dilution test. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's HSD tests served for statistical analysis. Results: Regarding the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), CHX had a significantly lower MIC than curcumin (P < 0.05). Sorted out by bacterial growth from lowest to highest, were CHX, LED + curcumin, curcumin, and LED groups. All the differences were found to be statistically significant (P < 0.05) except for the LED group. Conclusion: We conclude that curcumin is an effective substance in preventing the growth of A. actinomycetemcomitans, whose impact is reinforced when used simultaneously with photodynamic therapy (PDT).