Abstract:
Background : Enterococcus faecalis is one of bacterial species in endodontic infections and commonly found in endodontic treatment failure. Extracts of leaf tamarind (Tamarindus indica Linn) has been reported to have antibacterial effects for gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, so could be potentially developed as root canal sterilization agent. Purpose : Aim of this study was to determine inhibitory effect of tamarind extract to growth of Enterococcus faecalis. Methods : This study was an experimental study with post test only control group design and were tested by diffusion methods with 2 controls groups DMSO 1% as negative control, and ChKM as positive control and 4 groups concentration extracts of leaf tamarind one of each 3,125 mg/ml, 6,25 mg/ml, 12,5 mg/m and, 25 mg/ml, each group consisted of 8 samples. Inhibition effect were examined by measure diameter of clear zone around disc containing leaf extract of tamarind. Data were analyzed by statistic test. Results : Results showed that there were clear zone around disc containing leaf extract of tamarind, greater concentration of the extract greater diameter of the clear zone. Mean of inhibition zone at concentrations of 3,125 mg/ml (7,55 mm), 6,25 mg/ml (8,12 mm), 12,5 mg/ml (8,42 mm), 25 mg/ml (8,84 mm) for negative control DMSO 1 % (6.03 mm) and positive control ChKM (25.39 mm). It had been proved that leaf extract of tamarind could inhibit the growth of E. faecalis (p<0,05). Conclution : Tamarind (Tamarindus indica Linn) leaf extract could inhibit the growth of Enterococcus faecalis at all concentrations.
