The efficacy of papaya (Carica papaya L.) seed extract in inhibiting Actinomyces spp.

Efektivitas ekstrak biji buah pepaya (Carica papaya L.) terhadap uji daya hambat bakteri Actinomyces spp.

Abstract

Actinomyces spp. is one of the dominant bacteria frequently found in root canal infections. Standard irrigation solutions such as sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) are effective as antibacterial agents, although they have limitations in eliminating Actinomyces spp. and are toxic at a concentration of 5.25%. Papaya (Carica papaya L.) seeds have potential as an antibacterial agent because their active compounds disrupt the integrity of bacterial cell membranes. This laboratory-based experimental study, employing a post-test design with a control group, aimed to determine the effectiveness of PS extract against Actinomyces spp., as well as its most effective concentration. The antibacterial activity was tested using the disc diffusion method at concentrations of 30%, 40% and 50%, with 2.5% NaOCl as the positive control and aquadest as the negative control. The mean inhibition zone diameters increased with rising extract concentrations. The mean inhibition zone diameter for the 30% concentration was 17.536 mm, for 40% it was 18.298 mm, and for 50% it reached 19.272 mm. All tested ex-tract concentrations fell within the ‘strong inhibitory activity’ category. It was concluded that the administration of PS extract is effective as an antibacterial agent against the growth of Actinomyces spp., but the 50% was the most effective.