Assessment of Antimicrobial Activity of LL-37 Peptide Against Periapical Pathogens: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Reinfection in the root canal and periradicular area due to the emergence of antibiotic resistance and/or multidrug-resistant strains of mixed colonization of multispecies periapical endodontic is the main reason for endodontic treatment failures. This has imposed a serious public health concern, contributing to decreased clinical efficiency and poor treatment outcomes. To combat these issues, "antimicrobial peptides are considered as potential alternatives and a promising agent" in endodontics. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the antimicrobial efficiency of LL-37 peptide against periapical endodontic pathogens (). METHODOLOGY: A multispecies biofilm ofandwas created on 100 hydroxyapatite disks samples (= 100). Sixty samples (= 60) were allocated for the peptide group and 20 samples each (= 20) for the control group treated with disinfecting solution (sodium hypochlorite and normal saline). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and colony-forming units (CFUs) were assessed. RESULTS: LL-37 peptides showed statistically significant correlation w.r.t CFUs and antimicrobial activity (< 0.01). CONCLUSION: LL-37 peptides were highly effective against periapical endodontic pathogens and hence could be used as a potential therapeutic agent in the future for endodontics.