Antibacterial and Antifungal Activities of Punica Granatum Peel Extracts Against Oral Pathogens

Punica granatum has been used for many years in folk medicine due to severalpurposes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of methanolic extract ofPunica granatum peel (MEPGP) against Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus,Streptococcus salivarius, Streptococcus sanguinis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Actynomycesviscosus, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Candida albicans.Materials and Methods: In this in vitro study, the mentioned oral organisms were culturedin blood agar and mueller-hinton media and then paper disks containing MEPGP atconcentrations of 4 mg/ml, 8 mg/ml and 12 mg/ml were inserted on medias. The antimicrobialactivity was evaluated by agar disk diffusion method. The effects of three differentconcentrations of MEPGP against microorganisms were compared using one-wayANOVA and Tukey tests.Results: All concentrations of MEPGP had antibacterial activity against S. aureus and S.epidermidis. Only at concentration of 8 mg/ml and 12 mg/ml MEPGP was effectiveagainst L. acidophilus, S. mutans and S. salivarius. Furthermore; no concentrations ofMEPGP inhibited A. viscosus and C. albicans.Conclusion: This study suggests that MEPGP might be used as an antibacterial agent incontrolling oral infections.