REVIEW ON CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE COMPONENTS OF THE TOOTHBRUSH TREE (SALVADORA PERSICA)

Dr. Ismail Abbas Darout*

ABSTRACT

Miswak stick for mechanical tooth cleaning has been prepared from Salvadora persica or Arak tree. Miswak use has a very long tradition more economical, ecological and can be used without dentifrices. Currently many of the communities in the developing world use miswak as the only method for tooth cleaning. This review highlights the chemical, antimicrobial and biologically active components of miswak sticks with beneficial effects on oral health promotion. Research papers considering the chemical, antimicrobial and biologically active components of miswak extracts have been revisited in addition to papers that evaluating oral promotion and antimicrobial effects of miswak different extracts. Potential antimicrobial anionic components including chloride, sulphate, nitrate and thiocyanate have been identified in miswak aqueous extracts. Chlorides and thiocyanate (pseudohalides) in miswak may be substrates for salivary peroxidase and/or the myeloperoxidase hydrogen peroxide antimicrobial system. In addition, benzylisothiocyanate is a component exhibiting antiviral and antimycotic activity other more biologically active components including resins in small amount, tannins (tannic acid), alkaloids in large amounts have been identified in different miswak extracts. The finding of these components of miswak may lead to better understanding the clinical effectiveness and antimicrobial properties of miswak as an alternative method to the modern toothbrush for oral health promotion.

Keywords: Miswak chewing sticks; extracts; chemical components; bioactive components; antimicrobial effects.