Antimicrobial effects of analgesics, mefenamic acid and aceclofenac: an in vitro study.

Abstract

Non-Steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) are most frequently used analgesics. Mefenamic Acid (MA) which is a fenamate derivative of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesic, is an over the counter (OTC) analgesic, which is used in cases of dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia. Aceclofenac, a phenylacetic acid derivative exhibiting anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects,often used to reduce joint pain and joint stiffness. Oral microflora such as Streptococcus Mutans, Staphylococcus Aureus, Enterococcus Faecalis, Candida Albicans are responsible for dental caries and infections. These resistant pathogens are responsible for root canal treatment failure as they adhere to the hard tissues thus causing biofilm induced infections. The aim of this in vitro study is to check for antimicrobial effects of analgesics used as intracanal instillation in root canals as they will give us both analgesic and antimicrobial effects. MA and Aceclofenac are prepared in the concentration of 100 μg,80μg, 60μg, 40μg, 20μg each. These analgesics are instilled in the wells made in the petri dishes containing the pathogens and observed for 24 hrs using a zone of inhibition test. MA showed better antimicrobial effects on S.mutans, S.aureus and E.faecalis than aceclofenac whereas the effect of the analgesics was negligible on C.albicans. MA and aceclofenac showed antimicrobial effects to some extent by damaging the cell membrane which can be used for root canal disinfection along with interappointment pain control.