title: Effect of Meswak (Middle Eastern tree bark) on oral pathogens and potential for probiotic applications.
abstract: Dental caries is a major cause of affliction in people living in the developing world. Oral hygiene is often maintained by the use of tree-based toothbrush sticks called Meswak. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Meswak along with probiotic bacteria on the growth of Streptococcus mutans, the organism most often associated with dental caries. The results indicated that Meswak has a marked inhibitory effect on the streptococci. Addition of Lactobacillus strains significantly reduced the viable counts of S. mutans. A prototype spray containing Meswak extract, lactobacilli, and mint was developed and shown to have potential as an anticaries mouthwash.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dairy Science, Food Science and Nutrition Division, National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Nayra
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mehanna
authors.forename: Gregor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Reid
mesh_terms: D003731:Dental Caries / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000502:physiology; D050296:Microbial Viability / Q000187:drug effects; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000494:pharmacology; D024301:Plant Bark / Q000737:chemistry; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019936:Probiotics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D032121:Salvadoraceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D009067:Mouthwashes; D010936:Plant Extracts