Inhibitory activity of Salvadora persica extracts against oral bacterial strains associated with periodontitis: An in-vitro study.
OBJECTIVE
The use of natural plant extracts in pharmacology, medicine and dental hygiene has found a growing interest in modern scientific research. Salvadora persica is a natural tree whose fibrous branches have been approved by the World Health Organization for oral hygiene. Periodontitis is a highly prevalent adult gingival disease that leads to bone destruction and connective tissue attachment loss. The aim of this research was assessment the antimicrobial activities of methanolic extract of Salvadora persica (miswak) on isolated strains from the oral fluid.


METHODS
In practical section, 50 female university students (21.4 ± 1 year) participated in the study. Based on examination by a periodontist, they were grouped into (Group I, n = 21) and (Group II, n = 29) i.e. with and without periodontitis respectively. Their un-stimulated saliva samples were obtained in sterile tubes. While three bacterial genera, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus and Lactobacillus were identified in all subjects, Enterococcus and Escherichia were only detected in Group I.


RESULTS
A statistically significant difference in colonization levels between the two groups was observed. The effect of methanolic extract of S. persica against oral bacterial strains isolated from saliva was investigated using agar disc diffusion and microdilution methods. Although methanolic extract of S. persica was effective on growth inhibition of all strains, it was significantly more effective on Gram positive bacteria than Gram negative ones.


CONCLUSIONS
Effective substances present in S. persica extracts, exhibit a broad range of antibacterial activity and affect almost all bacterial species regardless of the Gram-staining nature.
Department of Periodontology, Dental School, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Rasouli Ghahroudi
RG
Amir Alireza
Department of Periodontology, Dental School, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Rezaei
R
Afsaneh
Department of Periodontology, Dental School, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Mohseni Salehifard
MS
Seied Hosein
Department of Periodontology, Dental School, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Yaghoobee
Y
Siamak
Department of Periodontology, Dental School, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Khorsand
K
Afshin
Department of Periodontology, Dental School, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Kadkhoda
K
Zeinab
Department of Periodontology, Dental School, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Moosavi Jazi
MJ
Mahvash
Department of Periodontology, Dental School, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Rokn
R
Amir Reza
Disc diffusion; Miswak; Oral bacteria; Periodontitis; Salvadora persica