Antimicrobial Efficacy of Homeopathic Medicines Acid Benzoicum and Hepar Sulfur against Enterococcus faecalis Compared to 3% Sodium Hypochlorite: An In Vitro Study
Aim: The study aimed to assess the antimicrobial efficacy of homeopathic medicines acid benzoicum and Hepar sulfur against Enterococcus
faecalis compared to 3% sodium hypochlorite.
Materials and methods: An in vitro study was conducted using acid benzoicum and Hepar sulfur in various potencies, 3% sodium hypochlorite,
and E. faecalis as the test organism. The antimicrobial efficacy was evaluated using the agar well diffusion method. One-way analysis of variance
(ANOVA) followed by post hoc Tukey’s test was used with a level of significance at p ≤ 0.05.
Results: The results showed that the group II (Hepar sulfur) subgroup D showed the maximum zone of inhibition against E. faecalis (11.5 ±
0.70) with the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values of 0.9 µg/mL and 7.05 × 106
,
respectively. This was followed by group I (acid benzoicum) subgroup D, having a zone of inhibition of 10.25 ± 0.3, with MIC and MBC values of
0.9 µg/mL and 7.41 × 105
. Group III (3% sodium hypochlorite) had a mean zone of inhibition of 5.25 ± 0.3. The results showed that in relation
to antibacterial activity, difference between the groups was highly significant (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: The study suggests that Hepar sulfur showed the maximum zone of inhibition against E. faecalis, followed by acid benzoicum and
3% sodium hypochlorite.
Clinical significance: This study’s findings highlight the potential of homeopathic medicines, specifically benzoicum and Hepar sulfur, as effective
root canal irrigants against E. faecalis, a common cause of endodontic infections. If proven effective, these alternatives could offer a novel approach
to root canal disinfection, potentially reducing the use of sodium hypochlorite and its associated limitations. The results may contribute to the
development of more biocompatible and efficient endodontic treatment strategies, ultimately improving patient outcomes and dental care.
faecalis compared to 3% sodium hypochlorite.
Materials and methods: An in vitro study was conducted using acid benzoicum and Hepar sulfur in various potencies, 3% sodium hypochlorite,
and E. faecalis as the test organism. The antimicrobial efficacy was evaluated using the agar well diffusion method. One-way analysis of variance
(ANOVA) followed by post hoc Tukey’s test was used with a level of significance at p ≤ 0.05.
Results: The results showed that the group II (Hepar sulfur) subgroup D showed the maximum zone of inhibition against E. faecalis (11.5 ±
0.70) with the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values of 0.9 µg/mL and 7.05 × 106
,
respectively. This was followed by group I (acid benzoicum) subgroup D, having a zone of inhibition of 10.25 ± 0.3, with MIC and MBC values of
0.9 µg/mL and 7.41 × 105
. Group III (3% sodium hypochlorite) had a mean zone of inhibition of 5.25 ± 0.3. The results showed that in relation
to antibacterial activity, difference between the groups was highly significant (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: The study suggests that Hepar sulfur showed the maximum zone of inhibition against E. faecalis, followed by acid benzoicum and
3% sodium hypochlorite.
Clinical significance: This study’s findings highlight the potential of homeopathic medicines, specifically benzoicum and Hepar sulfur, as effective
root canal irrigants against E. faecalis, a common cause of endodontic infections. If proven effective, these alternatives could offer a novel approach
to root canal disinfection, potentially reducing the use of sodium hypochlorite and its associated limitations. The results may contribute to the
development of more biocompatible and efficient endodontic treatment strategies, ultimately improving patient outcomes and dental care.