Development of mouthwash from Phyllanthus emblica L. bark extract for oral candidiasis

Abstract

Introduction: According to folk wisdom, the bark of Phyllanthus emblica L. has been used to treat oral ulcers, athlete's foot, and oral candidiasis in children. There are studies the antifungal activity against Candida albicans (C. albicans) of crude extracts from leaves and fruits of Phyllanthus emblica L.. However, there are no report about that of bark. So the bark of Phyllanthus emblica L. may be antifungal activity. Methods: The bark of Phyllanthus emblica L. was extracted using purified water, 50% ethanol, and 95% ethanol. The total phenolics content, the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) value and minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC) value of bark extracts were investigated. The mouthwash from Phyllanthus emblica L. bark extracts were developed for oral candidiasis and compared the efficiency with ketoconazole. The physical and chemical properties of freshy prepared formulation and after freeze thaw cycling were observed. Results: The 95% ethanol extract was the highest percentage of yield (15.6%) and total phenolics content (31.65%). Moreover, the MIC value was 125 mg/ml for all of three extracts and the MFC value was 250 mg/ml in 95% ethanol extract. Thus, the bark extracts with 95% ethanol and 130 mg/ml of bark extract were used for developing the mouthwash formulation. The 14 formulas were prepared, which were different in the ratio of sweetener, favoring agent, and co-solvent. After freeze thaw cycling, the 9^th formulation was the best of physical and chemical stability. Antifungal activity of ketoconazole against C. albicans was higher than all of mouthwash preparations statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The mouthwash preparations still could be inhibited C. albicans. Thus, the 9^th mouthwash formulation was the most appropriate formulation for developing in the future.