Author/Authors :
Ghabanchi, J Department of Oral Medicine - Shiraz Dentistry School - Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz , Daghigh Afkar, M Department of Oral Medicine - Shiraz Dentistry School - Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz , Bazargani, A Department of Bacteriology and Virology - Shiraz Medical School - Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz , Balady Foroshan, S Shiraz Dentistry School - Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz , Dad Ayeen, S Shiraz Dentistry School - Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz
Abstract :
Background: Honey is one of the traditional medicines used for treatment and prevention of various illnesses.
This study aims to assess the in vitro antimicrobial effect of honey on Streptococcus mutans.
Methods: This experimental study was conducted in Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. The Minimal Inhibitory
Concentration/MIC effect of a type of commercial honey on S. mutans isolates was investigated by Agar well
diffusion and broth microdilution assays. For comparison a carbohydrate solution with sugar content similar to
that of natural honey was used as a control.
Results: The MIC values of honey for 88.3% of tested strains were 75% v/v that were significantly different of the
MIC values of the carbohydrate solution (p<0.001) and the average inhibition zone of undiluted honey on the S.
mutans isolates was 13 mm. No inhibition zone was observed for undiluted carbohydrate solution in any isolates
(p<0.001).
Conclusion: Honey (Apis mellifera) has bacteriostatic activity when tested in vitro. However, pharmacological
standardization and clinical evaluation of this effect are essential before using honey as a preventive measure for
dental caries.
