PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS AND ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF Guizotia scabra LEAF, STEM BARK AND ROOT EXTRACTS FOR DENTAL CARIES CONTROL

Abstract

Medicinal plants offer promising alternatives for treating oral infections. This study investigated the phytochemical composition and antibacterial activity of Guizotia scabra tender leaf, stem bark, and root extracts against Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus, key pathogens in dental caries. Ethanol and acetone extracts

were subjected to Standard laboratory tests for phytochemicals analysis, High- performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for quantification of flavanoids, Fourier- transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) for determination of functional groups and

antibacterial bioassays to assess antibacterial activity. Phytochemical tests revealed the presence of anthraquinones, alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, steroids, saponins, and quinones. HPLC analysis confirmed the presence of myricetin and quercetin, with leaf extracts showing the highest concentrations (myricetin: 7.0013 ppm; quercetin: 0.901 ppm). Stem bark lacked myricetin but contained quercetin (2.4991 ppm), while root extracts had moderate levels of both (myricetin (2.0627 ppm) and quercetin (0.7027 ppm). FTIR spectra identified key functional groups, including O-H/N-H (3441 cm−1)1 linked to alkanoids (Quercetin ) (N-H /O-H group), C=O (1643 cm−1) which correlate to terpenoids, C-H/C-O (1396 cm−1) linked to alkaloids structure having N /O-H bond,2000 cm−1 to terpenoids /flavanoids and possible metal-ligand vibrations (538 cm−1). There is also a distinct C-N stretch (1250 cm−1) likely due to C-N stretching in alkaloids showed by leaf and root extracts. Antibacterial evaluation demonstrated that ethanol leaf extract had the highest inhibition against Streptococcus mutans (5.0 mm, 62.5%) and Streptococcus sobrinus (4.0 mm, 50%), followed by root extracts (3.0 mm, (37.5%) and 2.5 mm , (31.25%) respectively. Acetone extracts showed similar trends with the leaf extract at 4.6 mm, (57.5%) and 4.3 mm, (53.75%). However, commercial toothpastes showed superior inhibition (up to 7.0 mm, 87.5%) likely due to fluoride content and other additives. These findings suggest that Guizotia scabra possesses bioactive compounds with potential for natural oral healthcare applications. Further studies should optimize extraction; evaluate compound synergy, ensuring safety and efficacy for possible formulation of dental products.