ANTIMICROBIAL POTENCY of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni as HERBAL MOUTHWASHES AGAINST CARIOGENIC BACTERIAL Streptococcus mutans

Background: Dental caries is a disease that is produced by the dissolution of local chemical surfaces of the teeth caused by product of microbial fermentation from dietary carbohydrates in the biofilm that attached to the teeth. Streptococcus mutans as the primary microbial pathogen in the aetiology of caries. They have a characteristic ability to produce voluminous amounts of sticky, extracellular polysaccharides in the presence of dietary carbohydrates, thus, help tenacious binding of the organism to enamel. Caries can be prevented by regular tooth brushing and flossing as mechanical plaque removal for cleaning the tooth.However, for many individuals, it difficult to eliminate Streptococcus mutans from the surfaces of the tooth by mechanical means alone over prolonged periods. Consequently, for effective caries control, these methods should be combined with the antimicrobial agent such as mouthwash whould have a directinhibitory effect on the microorganism that can be bactericidal or bacteriostatic. However, they have several undesirable side effects reported from clinical studies. The use of medicinal plants is highly considered, because of side effects of chemical substances. Recently, Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni leaves extracts as herbal mouthwashes are being tried and have been scientifically proven from several studies to be safe and effective to protection against dental caries because of its inhibitory effect or antimicrobial property against Streptococcus mutans. Purposes: The main aim of this literature review article is to explain the potenciallyantimicrobial herbal mouthwashes from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni leaves extracts towards cariogenic bacterial Streptococcus mutans. Conclusions: Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni leaves extracts as herbal mouthwashes can be strongly recommended as a caries preventing agent

The Antifungal Potential of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni Leaf Extract Against Candida albicans

  Candida sp. are eukaryotic opportunistic pathogens that reside on the mucosa oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract, vagina and sometimes skin. An infection caused by Candida is termed candidiasis or candidosis. Oral candidiasis is a common opportunistic infection of the oral cavity caused by overgrowth of Candida species, the most common being Candida albicans. Risk factor for oral candidiasis are local factors, systemic factors and the physiological states. The most commonly used classes of antifungal drug treatment to Candida infections are the azole, polyenes and echinocandins. However, the management of Candida infections faces many problems, such as toxicity, resistance of Candida to antifungal drugs, relapse to Candida infection and the high cost of antifungal drugs. Many investigators are exploiting alternative therapeutic strategies to overcome problems treating candidiasis. Stevia leaves extracts has been known to have antifungal activity to treat candidiasis. The aim of this review article is to explain antifungal potency of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni leaves extracts toward Candida albicans. Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni leaves extracts can use as cheap, natural and alternative agent to control candidiasis

The Effect of Pegagan (Centella Asiatica (L.) Urban) Ethanol Extracts on Hippocampal PSD-95 Protein Expression in Male Wistar Rats

One effort to overcome the decline in memory function is through herbal medicine. Pegagan (Centella asiatica (L.) Urban) contain the active components of triterpenoid and flavonoids, has been known to be able to improve memory function. Synaptic plasticity is the basis of memory formation which is strongly influenced by synapse proteins such as PSD-95. Loss of PSD-95 protein can cause memory function decline. This study aims to determine the effect of 70% ethanol extract of pegagan toward PSD-95 protein expression on hippocampus of male Wistar rat. Eighteen male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, 6 rats/group: group (1) given ethanol extract of pegagan with dose 300 mg / kgBW / day (CA300), (2) given ethanol extract of pegagan with dose 600 mg / kgBW / day (CA600), and (3) control group (K), given daily aquadest. All three groups were treated for 28 consecutive days. At the end of the treatment period, rats were decapitated and the hippocampus was isolated from the brain. Analysis of protein was done by immunohistochemical method. Statistical analysis was performed by One Way ANOVA parametric test followed by Post-Hoc Bonferroni. The results showed that there was no significant difference between group K and group CA300 (P = 0.123), whereas there were significant differences between CA600 group and K group and CA300 group (P = 0.000). From this research, it can be concluded that 70% ethanol extract of pegagan with dose 600mg / kgBW / day can increase expression of PSD-95 protein on hippocampus of male Wistar rat