Antibacterial effects of mineral trioxide aggregate and Biodentine TM after the addition of different concentrations of black seed aqueous solutions

Abstract

Background: Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) and BiodentineTM cements are new materials with numerous excitingclinical applications. Both have appreciable properties which include good physical properties and the ability tostimulate tissue regeneration as well as good antibacterial effects. The aim of this study was to investigate andcompare the antibacterial effects of MTA and BiodentineTM, when they were mixed with different concentrations ofaqueous solutions of Black Seed extract, against Enterococcus faecalis.Materials and methods: MTA and BiodentineTMwere prepared according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Themethod of Mawlood was followed to prepare the Black Seed aqueous solution. Agar diffusion method on Brain HeartInfusion agar was employed.Twenty, 9 cm diameter, petri-plates with 25 ml of Muller Hinton agar media wereprepared. A sterile spreader was used to inoculate the microorganisms. With a micropipette 0.1 ml of theEnterococcus faecalis suspension was added to the surface of the plates. Within 15 minutes, after inoculation of theplates, 4 cavities, each one measuring 5 mm in diameter and 4 mm in depth, were made in each agar plate. A totalof 20 agar plates were divided into 2 groups consisted of 10 plates each; Group A: each plate contained 4 wellsfilled with MTA alone and MTA mixed with 10%, 30% and 50% of Black Seed aqueous solutions respectively.Group B:each plate contained 4 wells filled with BiodentineTMalone and BiodentineTMmixed with 10%, 30% and 50% of BlackSeed aqueous solutionsrespectively. Next day after incubation, the agar plates were examined for bacterialinhibition zones. With a scientific ruler the diameter of the antibacterial inhibition zones were measured. The datawere recorded and statistically analyzed, by the ANOVA and the Student's t-test.Results: Both cements had antibacterial effects, which were increased with the addition of the aqueous solutions ofBlack Seed extract. The increase in the diameter of Enterococcus faecalis inhibition zones was directly proportionalwith the increase in the concentration of the added Black Seed aqueous extract.Conclusion: Adding aqueous solutions of Black Seed extract to both MTA and Biodentine™ increased their potentialto inhibit the growth of Enterococcus faecalis