study of the antibacterial effects of siwak

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of antimicrobial activity of siwak chewing sticks [Salvadora persica] aqueous extracts at various concentrations both in vivo and in vitro. The study was conducted clinically using volunteers saliva and measuring the effect of miswak extract on bacterial viable count in the oral cavity. Eight subjects aged 25-50 years were included in the study. For the study, miswak extract [1 gm/dl] was used as a mouth wash. Bacterial viable count in saliva was determined in each volunteer before and one hour after the use of miswak extract. In vitro study using extracts of different concentrations of Salvadora persica in agar dilution test against both Gram positive bacteria [Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes] and Gram negative bacteria [Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeroginosa]. Experimental design to evaluate the antibacterial effect of Salvadora persica extract in skin infection. Twenty four male mice weighing 20-25 gm/animal were divided in three equal groups. Animals of the first group were injected subcutaneous [SC] with 10 micro l of nutrient broth/each. Animals of second group were injected [SC] with 10 micro l of 24 hours growth of Staphylococcus aureus in nutrient broth/each. Animals of the third group were treated as second group, then treated with Salvadora persica extract locally. Skin scoring was determined 48 hours after test. The shaved area was cut and preserved in formalin for histological study. Miswak chewing stick [Salvadora persica] extract significantly reduced the bacterial count in volunteer's oral cavity. The bacterial viable count before test was 4.36x10[7] +/- 1 18 CFU/ml. The count was 2.l9x107 +/- 0.21 CFU/ml one hour after test. The in vitro agar dilution test using Salvadora persica aqueous extract proved to have antibacterial activity against both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. This effect was directly proportional with the concentration of the extract. The skin scoring was 4.57 +/- 0.92 in bacterial infected animals, the scoring was 1.67 +/- 0.53 in bacterial infected-Salvadora persica aqueous extract treated animals. It may be concluded that miswak has an immediate antimicrobial effect. Salvadora persica aqueous extract exhibited significant activity against both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. This effect was excellent against bacterial skin infection