pdf The Effect of Honeybee Propolis on Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolated from Patients with Tooth Decay

Dr. Milad Hameed, Rana Jalal Shaker and Thabet Mudhefer Khalaf

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of propolis in its ethanolic and aqueous extract forms against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacterium associated with tooth decay. Propolis samples were sourced from local beekeepers in Salah al-Din province. The findings demonstrated significant inhibitory effects of both extracts on the growth of the bacterial strains, with the inhibition rates increasing proportionally with the concentration of the extracts. The ethanolic extract exhibited superior antibacterial activity compared to the aqueous extract, as evident in the inhibition zone measurements obtained through the agar diffusion method.

        The results highlighted that Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a Gram-negative bacterium, was less sensitive to the extracts compared to Gram-positive bacteria. Among the tested concentrations, 2 ml of the ethanolic extract achieved the highest inhibition against the bacterial isolates. This study underscores the potential of ethanolic propolis extract as a natural antibacterial agent, particularly in combating pathogens involved in dental caries.