The aim of the study is to evaluate and compare the antibacterial activity of ethanolic stem extract of (Wild African nutmeg) Pycnanthus angolensis (Welw.) and some commercially available toothpaste against bacteria isolated from the hidden resident mouth cavity microfora. Bacteria were isolated from swabs of apparently healthy individuals and were identified using Staining procedure biochemical tests and the use of Bergey’s manual of bacteria identification The assay for antibacterial activity of Pycnanthus angolensis stem bark extract and the four toothpastes were determined using agar well diffusion method. The Gram positive bacteria isolated were Streptococcus sangus, Streptococcus ratti, Stomatococcus mucilaginous., Peptostreptococcus sp., and Streptococcus mutans and the Gram negative bacteria were Veillonella atypical, Veillonella parvula, Veillonella dispar and Acidiaminococcus sp. Oral B toothpaste showed maximum efficacy of inhibition with inhibition zone diameter as wide as 20 mm at 100 mg/ml. Percentage frequency distribution of antibacterial activity of conventional toothpaste (Close-up) against hidden resident mouth cavity microfora depicts Acidaminococcus sp.13%, Veillonella parvula (10%), Veillonella dispar (12%), Peptostreptococcus sp.(12%), Stomatococcus mucilaginous.(9%), Streptococcus ratti (13%), Veillonella atypical (11%), Streptococcus sangus (9%) and Streptococcus mutans (11%), Percentage frequency distribution of antibacterial activity of conventional toothpaste (Oral B toothpaste) against hidden resident mouth cavity microfora reveals Acidaminococcus sp.(11%,) Veillonella dispar (11%), Veillonella parvula (10%), Peptostreptococcus sp. (12%), Stomatococcus mucilaginous.(15%), Streptococcus ratti (11%), Veillonella atypical (8%), Streptococcus sangus (10%), and Streptococcus mutans (12%), Percentage frequency distribution of antibacterial activity of conventional toothpaste (MyMy toothpaste) against hidden resident mouth cavity microfora depicts Acidaminococcus sp.(12%), Veillonella dispar (9%), Veillonella parvula (8%), Peptostreptococcus sp.(10%), Stomatococcus mucilaginous.(16%), Streptococcus ratti (9%), Veillonella atypical (15%),Streptococcus sangus (9%) and Streptococcus mutans (12%), Percentage frequency distribution of antibacterial activity of conventional toothpaste (Olive toothpaste) against hidden resident mouth cavity microfora shows Acidaminococcus sp.(9%), Veillonella dispar (10%), Veillonella parvula (10%), Peptostreptococcus sp.(12%), Stomatococcus mucilaginous.(13%), Streptococcus ratti (10%) ,Veillonella atypical (17%), Streptococcus sangus (7%), and Streptococcus mutans (12%). Pycnanthus Angolensis stem bark extract inhibited the growth of the oral bacterial isolates with of zones of inhibition diameter ranging from 6 mm to 17 mm at a concentration of 100mg/ml. Secondary metabolite (Phytochemical) screening shows the presence of flavonoids, tannins, saponins, alkaloids, reducing sugars, steroid, phenol, terpenoid, pyrrolozidine alkaloid, glycoside and cardiac glycoside with glycoside and terpenoid most present. However, anthraquinones and volatile oil were absent. With menial antibacterial activity, P. angolensis can be use in the formulation of herbal toothpaste. It should be advocated that Pycnanthus angolensis should be added to our convention toothpaste to improve the functional ingredient of the toothpaste and Plant-based traditional knowledge has become a recognized tool in search for new sources of drugs. It is clear that the use of these herbal plants can offer a platform for further research.
A Patient with Suspected Diphtheria
