Antimicrobial Effects of Aqueous and Alcoholic Extract of Peganum Harmala L. Seeds on Two Types of Salivary Isolated Microorganisms in Al-Ramadi City

Abstract

Abstract. In the present study Lactobacilli and Candida were isolated from saliva of twenty dental students at Al-Ramady City, aged between 21-23 years at the period between March and May 2008. These microorganisms were isolated, purified and diagnosed according to cultural and microscopical characteristics, and confirmed by biochemical tests. Dried seeds of Peganum harmala L. were extracted. Different concentrations of the extract were prepared and estimated in g/100ml distilled water. Chlorhexidene was used as an antimicrobial agent for comparison. Agar diffusion technique was employed in this research. The study concluded that harmala extract was effective in the inhibition of the growth of these microorganisms and being more potent than chlorhexidene.