Comparative Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity of Quercetin against Endodontic Pathogens in Primary Molars

Abstract

Background: Endodontic irrigants have an important role in endodontic treatment of primary teeth, owing to their complex anatomy. Quercetin is a natural flavonoid that exhibits significant antimicrobial properties. Objective: To evaluate the antimicrobial activity of 0.2% chlorhexidine, 1% (w/v) quercetin, and 2% (w/v) quercetin against endodontic pathogens in primary molars. Materials and methods: A total of 15 patients of 4-7 years of age with nonvital carious primary molars were selected. A sample from the root canal was obtained using number 15 paper point. Antimicrobial activity was measured using the disk diffusion method, for the following solutions: group I: 0.2% chlorhexidine solution, group II: 1% w/v quercetin solution, and group III: 2% w/v quercetin solution. For each sample, microbial culture was done under the microaerophilic condition. After 24 hours, the maximum inhibition zone was recorded in millimeters. Results: The highest inhibition was shown by group I, 13.13 ± 0.74, followed by group III, 12.00 ± 0.65, and the lowest in group II, i.e., 8.53 ± 0.63. On comparison between groups, statistically significant difference was noted. Conclusion: Maximum antimicrobial activity was shown by 0.2% chlorhexidine, followed by 2% quercetin that showed significant antimicrobial activity against endodontic pathogens in primary molars.