antibacterial activity of endemic satureja khuzistanica jamzad essential oil against oral pathogens

introduction: to assess the antibacterial effects of an iranian endemic essential oil, satureja khuzistanica jamzad (skj) when used as an intracanal antiseptic and interappointment medicament. materials and methods: antimicrobial activity and minimum inhibition concentrations (mics) of skj essential oil with and without calcium hydroxide (ch) against eleven aerobic, microaerophilic and anaerobic bacteria were assessed. the evaluation was carried out by agar dilution and well diffusion methods. the results were measured and recorded by an independent observer. data were analyzed statistically using student t-test. results: the mic for eight species was recorded in 0.31 mg/ml of essential oil. pseudomonas aeruginosa with a mic value of 1.25 mg/ml appeared to be the most resistant bacterium; while only 0.16 mg/ml of essential oil was sufficient to inhibit the growth of bacillus subtilis and staphylococcus aureus. the inhibition zone of the antiseptic oil (at 0.31 mg/ml) with e. faecalis in the well diffusion method was 13 mm; this was comparable with 12.5 mm inhibition zone value of the tetracycline disc (30 µg). no synergistic effect was found in combination of essential oil and ch powder. conclusion: skj essential oil with the concentration of 0.31 mg/ml is effective against most of oral pathogens including e. faecalis .