Introduction: Red clover is a herbaceous perennial plant growing in temperate and subtropical areas throughout the world. Current red clover isoflavone products do not contain a protein fraction. This herbal is proved to be a blood cleanser, expectorant, culterative and sedative. The aim of this study was to assess the anticariogenic activity of the ethanolic extract of red clover.Materials and methods: An aqueous extract of red clover was prepared and centrifuged, then placed in the well cultured agar plates against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Enterococcus faecalis, Candida albicans, and incubated for 24 hours. The zones of inhibition were then calculated. Results and discussion: Against S. aureus, 25 μL and 50 μL showed 9 mm of inhibition zone and 100 μL showed 11 mm of inhibition zone. 13 mm of zone of inhibition were noted against the antibiotic. Against S. mutans, 25 μL and 50 μL showed 9 mm of zone of inhibition and 100 μL showed 13 mm of zone of inhibition. 14 mm of zone of inhibition were noted against the antibiotic. Against E. faecalis, 25 μL showed 9 mm of zone of inhibition, 50 μL showed 15 mm of zone of inhibition and 100 μL showed 20 mm of zone of inhibition. 22 mm of zone of inhibition were noted against the antibiotic. Against C. albicans, all concentrations tested and the standard showed 9 mm of zone of inhibition.Conclusions: The anticariogenic activity of the ethanolic extract of red clover was studied and its wider zones of inhibition were suggestive of a good anticariogenic activity. Therefore, red clover can be used against S. aureus, S. mutans, E. faecalis and C. albicans as an anticariogenic agent.
Keywords:- anticariogenic
- Dental Caries
- isoflavones
- red clover