Antimicrobial and TNF α Inhibitory Activity of Barleria prionitis and Barleria grandiflora: A Comparative Study

Background: Leaf juice as well as leaves of Barleria prionitis Linn and Barleria grandiflora Dalz (Acanthaceae) is used by rural people across various regions of India in treatment of oral ailments such as dental troubles, gum ailments, pyorrhoea, dental carries and mouth ulcers. Methods: An antimicrobial activity was carried on aqueous and ethanolic extracts of both herbs and compared with standard chlorhexidine. Cell line study was carried using Human Gingival Fibroblast on ethanolic extracts of leaves of both the herbs and compared with standard marketed preparation Zyrtee. Cytotoxicity and anti gingivitis activity were evaluated using MTT assay. Results of cytokine secretion assay and cytokine measurement assay were analyzed using ANOVA followed by Dunnett multiple comparison test. P values less than 0.05 were considered as significant. Results: Results of antimicrobial activity suggest significant potency for ethanolic extracts of both the herbs. CTC50 values for ethanolic extracts was found to be 848 µg/ml and more than 1000 µg/ml respectively for Barleria prionitis and Barleria grandiflora. The cytokine secretion significantly increased by S. mutans control, whereas the cytokine level was reduced in a dose -dependent manner by ethanolic extracts in Streotococcus mutans stimulated HGF cells. The ethanolic extracts EBG and EBP showed 65.31383 ± 1.087%, 75.0425 ± 1.268% inhibition of TNF-α at tested concentration respectively. Conclusion: Thus based on findings of this study, we conclude the usefulness of Barleria prionitis and Barleria grandiflora in treatment of oral ailments such as gingivitis.