Aim: The aim of this study was to quantitatively assess the antibacterial effectiveness of carnosic acid, propolis, and calcium hydroxide when used as intracanal medications against Enterococcus faecalis.
Methodology: Forty-six human mandibular single-rooted premolar root lengths were standardized to 12 mm after decoronation. Cleaning and shaping were performed. The specimens were placed in Eppendorf Tubes and autoclaved. E. faecalis was inoculated into the canals and incubated for 21 days. The teeth were categorized into four groups: I - carnosic acid, II - propolis, III - calcium hydroxide, and IV - nonmedicated group. The medicaments were applied to the root canals and incubated for 14 days. The DNA extraction of E. faecalis was obtained from dentinal shavings harvested at 400-μm depth and a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed.
Statistical analysis: Data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test and Dunn's intergroup comparison test in SPSS software.
Results: E. faecalis present were 4.14, 6.98, 3.80, and 56.84 mean copies/μl in groups I, III, III, and IV, respectively. A significant difference in antibacterial efficacy was observed between medicated and untreated control groups. However, no statistically significant differences were observed among the groups treated with different medicaments.
Conclusion: Carnosic acid has promising antibacterial activity against E. faecalis when used as an intracanal medicament.
Keywords: Carnosic acid; Enterococcus faecalis; intracanal medicament; propolis; quantitative polymerase chain reaction.
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