Antibacterial activity of Miswak (Salvadora persica L.) extracts on oral hygiene

Salvadora persica L., also known as the toothbrush tree (Miswak), has been used since ancient times as a chewing stick for oral hygiene. Miswak is a natural source of many unique phytochemicals, which are described by traditional medicine as a remedy for various disease symptoms with beneficial properties. The availability and richness of biologically active compounds and minerals, related to oral and dental health, in Miswak makes it a superior tool for oral hygiene and a barrier against general pathogens that enter the human body through the mouth. This study investigates the presence of antimicrobial agents in Miswak extracts based on their polarity in different solvents. The results show that Miswak contains more than one type of antimicrobial agent that inhibits the growth of both gram positive and negative bacteria. The zone of inhibition for three different extracts was measured in Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Streptococcus mutans and Pseudomonas aeruginosa; the results show a strong antimicrobial activity in the aqueous extract and less activity in alcoholic and nonpolar extracts.