Studies of the antibacterial activity of plant extracts and their constituents against periodontopathic bacteria.

Plant extracts and their constituents were tested for antibacterial activity against periodontopathic bacteria, including Actinobacillus, Capnocytophaga, Fusobacterium, Eikenella and Bacteroides species. The essential oils of two labiatae plants, Mosla chinensis Maxim. and Pogostemon cablin Benth., and five terpenoids, hinokitiol, thymol, carvacrol, patchoulialcohol and pogostone, showed antibacterial activity. The terpenoids were especially effective against Bacteroides species.