Historical Uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacological Actions, and Clinical Development of Salvadora persica

Introduction: Salvadora persica (S. persica) is a medicinal plant that has long been recognized for its medicinal properties and has been widely used for oral hygiene for centuries. Numerous studies have investigated the therapeutic properties of this plant, with substantial evidence supporting its diverse pharmacological activities, largely attributed to its rich bioactive phytochemical composition. This review summarizes the chemical composition of S. persica (SP) and examines its relationship with the reported biological activities. Methods: A literature review was conducted using a range of different database sources. The sourced publications included peer-reviewed articles in-vitro, in-vivo, and clinical studies on the ethnomedicinal S. persica, focusing on its reported pharmacological properties and phytochemicals constituents. Additional attention was given to the association between phytochemicals constituents and pharmacologically active constituents reported in research studies.. Results: The plant is rich in biologically active compounds, such as flavonoids and other flavonoid- related molecules; alkaloids; polyphenols; tannins; sulphurous compounds; benzyl isothiocyanate; and essential oils, which have multiple functions/properties (e.g., antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulating, anticariogenic, and tissue-protective). These compounds have been clinically used to reduce dental plaque, decrease gingival inflammation, and reduce pathogenic microbes, and have also been used experimentally as biomaterials and to promote tissue regeneration. Discussion: Evidence from a biological database indicates that S. persica is widely used as traditional medicine and could potentially be developed into an alternative drug. Different extraction methods and formulations used to obtain S. persica have produced variable results, suggesting that standardized and validated preparation methods may also be necessary to provide reproducible and consistent results. Conclusion: S. persica is clinically verified as an effective source of multipurpose medicinal plant ingredients. It has significant potential for use in dentistry, pharmaceuticals, and biomedical research. Further research is needed to develop standardized clinical trial methods for use in humans.