An In Vitro Study Of Antibacterial Efficacy Of Salvadora Persica (Miswak) Extract Against Enterococcus Faecalis

Salvadora persica is widely used in dental field to improve dental health and promote dental hygiene. Although sodium hypochlorite is highly recommended and regarded as the most effective irrigant in root canal treatment to eliminate bacteria, it can cause harm to patients manifested by severe pain, rapid swelling and also obstruct breathing airway. However, it is believed that the chemical composition of Salvadora persica helps to treat and act as an antibacterial agent in root canal therapy. This study aims to obtain the crude compound from Salvadora persica by using the freeze drying method and to compare the antibacterial activity of the Salvadora persica and sodium hypochlorite against Enterococcus faecalis in aerobic condition. Antibacterial activity results showed that 150 mg/ml of Salvadora persica give comparable effect with sodium hypochlorite against Enterococcus faecalis. It is believed that 60% of alcoholic Salvadora persica extraction is an effective antimicrobial agent to be utilized as an irrigant in root canal treatment.