Scilight Press

Rural and tribal populace use different types of plants against tooth ache having less or no side effects. Keeping this in view, an attempt was made to gather the information on plants used in tooth problems by the local community of Similipal Biosphere Reserve (SBR) and its peripheral areas. Validation of the claims was done using phytochemistry and antibacterial analysis. The survey revealed that the local people used Cucumis melo fruits as food against tooth decay and microbial infections. The phytochemical analysis and antimicrobial activities against Streptococcus mutans (MTCC 497) were analyzed and found that the C. melo fruits contained diverse bioactive compounds and showed antibacterial activity against tested pathogenic bacteria. The results validated tribal claims. The present study highlights the importance of wild nutraceutical in the formulation of future drugs against tooth decay and microbial infection.