The antimicrobial effects of seven different types of Asian chewing sticks

Odontostomatol Trop. 2001 Dec;24(96):17-20.

Abstract

There are various plants, which are used as chewing sticks in different parts of the world. Several studies have been reported on the antimicrobial effects of chewing sticks on oral bacteria. The aim of this study was to compare the antimicrobial effect of aqueous extract of seven different types of chewing sticks found in Pakistan and other Asian countries. The ditch plate method was used to test the antimicrobial activity of seven Asian chewing sticks. It was found that at there was antimicrobial effect on Streptococcus fecalis at 50% concentration of Kikar (Acacia arabica) from Pakistan and Arak (Salvadora persica) from Saudi Arabia. The inhibition zones up to 2 mm were found in those two chewing stick extracts. It is recommended that the chewing sticks will be a great help in developing countries with financial constraints and limited oral health care facilities for their populations.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Acacia
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Anti-Infective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Candida albicans / drug effects
  • Candida albicans / growth & development
  • Enterococcus faecalis / drug effects
  • Enterococcus faecalis / growth & development
  • Humans
  • Magnoliopsida
  • Medicine, Traditional*
  • Meliaceae
  • Oleaceae
  • Oral Hygiene / instrumentation*
  • Pakistan
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plant Stems
  • Plants, Medicinal*
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects
  • Staphylococcus aureus / growth & development
  • Streptococcus mutans / drug effects
  • Streptococcus mutans / growth & development
  • Temperature

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Plant Extracts