ANTIMICROBIAL EFFECT OF ALMISWAK (SALVADORA PERSICA LINN) EXTRACTS, AGAINST SELECTED PATHOGENIC MICROBES

Huda Manna Alamri, Dr. Sarah Ali* and Dr. Nadia Hashish

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Oral hygiene is one of the most important daily routine practices and keeps the mouth and teeth clean. In the Muslim world, the use of Miswak as a chewing stick is highly recommended as a Sunnah practiced by the prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him).This study was designed to scientifically establish antimicrobial effect of Miswak in vitro against some pathogenic microorganisms. Methodology: An experimental study design method was conducted in Qassim University Microbiology Laboratory. The twigs of S.persica were collected and alcoholic and hexane extracts were prepared using standard techniques. The antimicrobial properties of the extracts against Staphylococcus aureus, Psuedomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans were tested by agar well diffusion method. Result: Different concentrations of Alcoholic extract 100 mg/ml, 50 mg/ml, 25 mg/ml and 12.5 mg/ml the tested bacteria showed no zone of inhibition. When the same organisms were subjected to Hexan extracts of similar concentrations, significant zone of inhibition was noted particularly with 100 mg/ml concentration. Comparing the inhibition zone of S. aureus, P.aeruginosa and C.albicans, the 100 mg/ml concentration of hexan extract was more effective against P. aeruginosa producing 62.5mm inhibition zone as compared of 60mm inhibition zone against C.albicans and 40mm inhibition zone against S.aureus. Conclusion: Hexane extracts of S. persica was found to exhibit antimicrobial activity against S.aurus, P.aeruginosa and C.albicans at high concentration and lower concentration while alcoholic extract of miswak show no inhibitory effect against the same microorganisms.

Keywords: Almiswak, Salvadora persica linn, Antimicrobial activity, S.aureus, P.aeruginosa, C.albicans.