The antimicrobial effect of water extraction of Salvadora persica (Miswak) as a root canal irrigant

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of 10% water extraction of Salvadora persica (Miswak) when used clinically as an endodontic irrigant. Twenty four uniradicular teeth with necrotic pulps were chosen. The patients were divided randomly into 2 groups: Experimental group, in which water extract of Salvadora persica (10%) was used as a root canal irrigant; and control group, in which distilled water was used as a root canal irrigant. Bacteriological samples were obtained from the canal at the step of working length determination (before the canal was subjected to instrumentation and irrigation procedures), and at the end of the biomechanical instrumentation procedures by using a sterile K-file. The file was separated from the handle using a sterile wire cutter, and the severed portion was placed in a sterile screw-capped vial containing 5 ml of thioglycollate broth as a transport media. A 0.1 ml of thioglycollate broth was inoculated on each of two brain-heart infusion agar plates: One plate was incubated under aerobic conditions, and the other was incubated under anaerobic conditions using anaerobic jar and gas pack anaerobic system. Both plates were incubated at 37 ºC for 24 hours; then, the number of bacterial colonies was counted. The results revealed that 10% water extraction of Salvadora persica is an effective antimicrobial agent when utilized clinically as an irrigant in the endodontic treatment of teeth with necrotic pulps.

A review of the therapeutic effects of using miswak (Salvadora Persica) on oral health

“…Ten percent water extraction of Salvadora persica is an effective antimicrobial agent when utilized clinically as an irrigant in the endodontic treatment of teeth with necrotic pulps. 35 Based on their in vitro study, Elangovan et al 36 revealed that aqueous extracts of neem ( Azadirachta indica ) showed the greatest antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus mutans , while miswak ( Salvadora persica ) extracts showed superior antimicrobial activity against Lactobacillus acidophilus . The constituent of Salvadora persica , such as N-benzyl-2-phenylacetamide, had shown moderate antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli .…”

Evaluation of Antibacterial Effect of a new root canal irrigating Formula of Salvadora persica Roots Nanoparticles. An In vitro Study

“…In another study, Al-Salman et al (23) revealed that 10% water extraction of Salvadora persica is an effective antimicrobial agent when utilized clinically as an irrigant in the endodontic treatment of teeth with necrotic pulps.…”

Antiviral Effect of Ethanolic Extract of Salvadora Persica (Siwak) on Herpes Simplex Virus Infection.

“…Salvadora Persica extract has been shown to be an effective when used as root canal irrigant (14,15) . The results of this work may be beneficial for the treatment of recurrent oral herpes infections.…”

“…Several studies have shown that extract of Salvadora Persica possess many biological properties including antibacterial (7) , antifungal (8) , anticaries (7,9) , anti-inflammatory (10) , antiplaque effect (11) , and reduces gingivitis and gingival bleeding (12,13) . Recently Salvadora Persica extract was evaluated as root canal irrigant (14,15) .…”