BIOEFFICACY OF ALLIUM SATIVUM LINN. / SYZYGIUM AROMATICUM LINN. EXTRACTS AND SELECTED TOOTHPASTES AGAINST MOUTH ULCER (RECURRENT APHTHOUS STOMATITIS, RAS) ISOLATES

Mouth ulcers, often exacerbated by opportunistic pathogens, pose significant oral health challenges. This study evaluated the bioefficacy of Allium sativum Linn. /Syzygium aromaticum Linn. extracts and selected toothpastes against mouth ulcer (recurrent aphthous stomatitis, RAS) isolates. Microbial analysis of mouth ulcer samples was carried out using standard microbiological techniques. A total of 10 bacterial and 4 fungal isolates were obtained from six mouth ulcer sources (MU 1- MU 6). Bacterial isolates, identified through their morphological and biochemical characteristics include; Corynebacterium matruchotii, Lactobacillus casei, Streptococcus salivarius, Enterobacter cloacae, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus reuteri, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus cereus, Lactobacillus brevis, Bacillus licheniformis, and fungal isolates include; Pichia fermentans, Geotrichium candidum, Saccharomycopsis fibuligera, and Candida tropicalis. Microbial loads were quantified via CFU/mL on Nutrient Agar and Potato Dextrose Agar respectively. Antimicrobial activity of these toothpastes and garlic/clove ethanol extracts was assessed using agar well diffusion, macro-broth dilution (MIC/MBC/MFC), and time-kill kinetics (OD620 at 50% concentrations over 32 hours). Bacterial counts averaged 1.4 x 105 CFU/mL and fungal counts 1.7 x 105 CFU/mL, indicating high dysbiotic burdens. Toothpaste, (e.g., Colgate) showed zones up to 37 mm and MICs of 3.125% against K. pneumoniae, while garlic achieved 31 mm and 0% MIC against S. salivarius. Clove exhibited 27 mm zones and 12.5-50% MICs. Time-kill assays revealed >90% reduction by 8-24 hours for garlic against most isolates, outperforming toothpastes (~70-75% kill by 24 hours). In conclusion, garlic and clove extracts rival or surpass commercial toothpastes in combating mouth ulcer pathogens, supporting their use as natural alternatives amid antimicrobial resistance.