Antimicrobial Efficacy of Herbal Root Canal Irrigants and 3% Sodium Hypochlorite against Enterococcus faecalis: An In-vitro Study

Nigella sativa (kalonji) has been used since ancient times as a nutritional supplement and for treating various infections and chronic ailments. As pathogens become resistant to most drugs, kalonji can be used as an alternative compound in modern medicines. The use of herbal extracts as endodontic irrigants might be beneficial as a part of a growing trend to seek natural remedies for dental treatment. Aim: To compare the antibacterial potency of Aqueous Nigella sativa extract, Aqueous Neem leaf extract, and 3% Sodium Hypochlorite. Materials and Methods: Test solutions were tested against E. faecalis (ATCC 29212) to check for their Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) by double dilution method and Kill time to measure their antimicrobial potency to be used as an intracanal irrigant. Results: The study's limitations show that Aqueous Nigella sativa extract has a better antimicrobial effect than Aqueous Neem leaf extract and 3% Sodium Hypochlorite solution against E. faecalis.

Air-dried neem leaf extract: effects on the growth performance and blood profile of broiler chicken

This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of aqueous extract of air-dried neem leaves on growth performance and blood profile of broiler chickens. One hundred and sixty (160) broiler chicks were used for the experiment and were intensively managed. The chicks were randomly assigned into four treatment groups administered, 30, 40 and 50mLs of 4% aqueous neem leaf extracts and defined as T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively. Growth parameters (daily weight gain, feed intake, water intake and feed conversion ratio) and both haematological and serum indices were measured. Data were subjected to One-way Analysis of Variance and significant means were separated by Duncan Multiple Range Test at 95% probability. Result showed a significant (p<0.05) influence of aqueous neem leaf extract on feed conversion ratio only at starter phase. The birds on 50 mLs aqueous neem leaf extract had poorest (1.58) feed conversion ratio while best (1.48) values were observed from those in the control and 40 mLs. It also showed that neem leaf extracts had no significant (P>0.05) effect on all the haemetaological parameters and serum indices at both starter and finisher phases. It was concluded that the use of air-dried neem leaf extract can be adopted as a replacement to antibiotics in broiler chicken production without any adverse effect on their growth performance and blood status.

Selected Chemical Properties, Microbial Activity and Biomass of Soils Amended with Aqueous Neem Leaf Extract

<p>With declining fertility levels of soils and the high cost of agricultural inputs, such as commercial fertilizers and pesticides, the use of organic inputs has increased in Zambia. While neem products have been shown to improve soil fertility status, several negative effects on soil organisms have also been cited. The negative effects have been attributed to several secondary metabolites produced by the neem plant. In Zambia, neem leaf extract is applied by small scale farmers to enhance soil fertility and promote crop productivity. This study reports the suitability of aqueous neem leaf extract as a soil amendment and its effect on soil microbial biomass and activity in local soils. Neem leaves were characterized before being used to prepare aqueous neem extract in the concentrations 2, 5, 10, 15, and 20 % in water. The extract was characterized for selected mineral components and then applied to 5 kg of soil on a weekly basis for five weeks. Each week, for ten weeks, the effect of the extract on microbial biomass and activity were determined using the Chloroform Fumigation and Incubation (CFI) and soil respiration methods, respectively. Selected soil chemical characteristics were determined at the start and end of the experiment. Results indicated that the chemical composition of the neem leaves was comparable to that observed by others and was similar to that of other tree leaves used for preparing leaf extracts. Amending soils with neem did not significantly improve selected chemical properties but only marginally increased soil calcium levels. Neem leaf extract enhanced soil microbial activity up to 10 %, but showed inhibitory effects at 15 and 20 % concentrations. Microbial biomass was also depressed by neem leaf extract at 20 %. The reduction in both microbial activity and biomass was possibly due to the negative effects of the neem secondary metabolites in the leaf extract at these higher concentrations. Although the application of neem leaf extract at 10 % percent or higher can inhibit both microbial biomass and activity, some mineralizable components in the extracts can support growth and activity of some microorganisms in the soil. Based on these results, the application of neem leaf extract at 10 % percent or higher can inhibit both microbial biomass and activity and marginally improve soil Ca levels. The use of neem leaf extract can therefore be of benefit to soils with critically low levels of Ca.</p>