Antibacterial efficacy of 5% Ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) solution against enterococcus faecalis (laboratory experiment)

2% chlorhexidine is proven to be effective against Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis), however chlorhexidine is known to be toxic against several particular cells. Propolis is a non-toxic natural resinous substance. Furthermore, 5% Ethanolic Extract of Propolis (EEP) solution is proven to be effective against E. faecalis. The aim of this study is to investigate the comparison of the antibacterial efficacy of 5% EEP solution and 2% chlorhexidine solution against E. faecalis. 24 tubes were divided into 4 groups. On group 1 and 2,the tubes were filled with 1 ml of BHI suspension inoculated by E. faecalis and 1ml of the tested solutions. On group 3 and 4, the tubes were filled with 2 ml of BHI suspension, with and without E. faecalis, as control groups. All tubes were then incubated at 37°C for 24 hours. The value of optical density (OD) was measured using Elisa reader. The data were analyzed statistically using non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney test. 5% EEP solution has the same antibacterial efficacy as 2% chlorhexidine against E. Faecalis. Antibacterial efficacy of 5% EEP solusion is statistically equal to that of 2% chlorhexidine solution in eliminating E. faecalis.