In vitro efficacy of garlic extract against Candida albicans biofilms from children with early childhood caries

Introduction
Garlic (Allium sativum) is known to be a natural antifungal agent with the ability to penetrate cellular and organelle membranes, resulting in cell death of Candida albicans.

Objectives
The aim of the present study was to measure the efficacy of garlic extract against C. albicans biofilms frequently detected in early childhood caries (ECC).

Material and methods
Samples of dental biofilms were obtained from children with ECC, cultured in CHROMagar Candida medium, and confirmed using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Furthermore, biofilms were established in microplates, incubated for 48 h, and exposed to 10%, 25%, 50%, and 100% garlic extract using 0.2% chlorhexidine (CHX) as a positive control. Cell viability was subsequently measured by the methyl- thiazolyl-tetrazolium (MTT) assay.

Results
There was a statistically significant decrease in the viability of C. albicans biofilms at all concentrations of garlic extract (p ≤ 0.000).

Conclusions
Garlic extract is efficacious in reducing the viability of C. albicans biofilms from children with ECC.