Effects of Cardamom and Fennel on Salivary pH and Anti Microbial Activity

Summary

Dental caries is the most prevalent infectious disease related to oral health.. Although significant advances have been made on a global front to prevent caries, studies show its incidence is on the rise making it one of the major chronic diseases affecting all age groups. It possesses not only a great load concerning cost on developed nations but an increasing burden on developing nations. It largely affects children and the lower socioeconomic group hence demanding feasible and inexpensive ways to counter this growing ailment.

Dental caries is a multifactorial disease involving the interaction of the host, agent, and the environment. The primary etiologic agent implicated in dental caries is the streptococcus mutans and non-streptococcus species like Lactobacillus, Actinomyces, and Veillonella species. These oral microbes break down carbohydrates content in the diet, producing acids as by-products. The acids produced lower the pH of plaque and saliva resulting in the demineralization of enamel and dentine, finally enhancing the formation of cavities or dental caries.

The role of saliva in maintaining oral health has been studied extensively over time. The buffering capacity of saliva prevents the teeth from demineralization by maintaining the pH of the oral cavity thereby reducing the risk of dental caries. Since ancient times, medicinal plants and herbs have been used for maintaining oral health. Recent studies have shown fennel seeds and cardamom to play a significant role in regulating the pH of saliva and plaque, and ultimately preventing dental caries.

Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) is used as a flavoring agent in foods as well as for treating various cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and neural problems. In addition, its extracts have shown antimicrobial activity against the principal pathogens causing dental caries and oral candidiasis. The commonest are S. mutans and Lactobacillus.

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is a dry seed used in treating various ailments. Known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, and analgesic properties, it is also widely used for treating gastroenteritis and indigestion. Over time, it has been used in many oral care products for its antiseptic properties and as a breath freshener on its own. Studies have found fennel to not only inhibit the activity of streptococcus Mutans but also cause a significant rise in salivary pH hence depicting the anti-cariogenic activity.

Given the above literature, this study has been designed to record the effects of cardamom and fennel on the salivary pH and their anti-microbial activity on selected microbial species in our population.

Conditions

• Electrolyte Disturbance
• Saliva Altered

Interventions

BIOLOGICAL

cardamom

cardamom is used as a flavoring agent in foods as well as for treating various cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and neural problems

BIOLOGICAL

fennel

fennel is Known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, and analgesic properties, it is also widely used for treating gastroenteritis and indigestion.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Altamash Institute of Dental Medicine

  collaborator OTHER

• University of Karachi

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• RABIA ARSHAD, Ph.D · ALTAMASH INSTITUTE OF DENTAL MEDICINE, KARACHI

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

40 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2022-02-01

Primary Completion

2022-03-28

Completion

2022-03-31

Countries

• Pakistan

Study Locations