A Thorough Analysis of Salvadora persica (Miswak) in Islamic Tradition and Contemporary Microbiology as a Natural Antimicrobial Agent

Abstract

The oral care of the Islamic culture is more than 1,400 years old, and the Salvadora persica L. or miswak is a type of oral cleaner in the form of chewing stick used by the people of the Islamic culture. It reaches far into the teachings of Islam that emphasize on cleanliness and preemptive medicine. Besides its mechanical plaque-removing effect, miswak has also formed a considerable share of scientific attention due to a strong phytochemical profile and the extensive scope of antimicrobial effects. The article is a critical evaluation of the botanical properties, phytochemical composition, antimicrobial effects, and clinical importance of Salvadora persica using the traditional microbiological and the modern microbiological procedures. It’s antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antibiofilm effect is due to bioactive compounds which include benzyl isothiocyanate, tannins, saponins, essential oils, fluoride and silica. Laboratory and clinical studies indicate that they have an enormous inhibitory effect on key oral pathogens including Streptococcus mutans, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Candida albicans with an equal or stronger plaque-reducing effect than conventional toothbrushes when applied appropriately. Besides, miswak has advantages in terms of price, cultural appropriateness and eco-friendliness particularly in low resources situations. Despite the good evidence, disparities in preparation processes, administration routes and study designs have indicated that standard protocols and big clinical trials are necessary. Miswak is most often a mixture of pre-Islamic and post Islamic traditions, and scientific explanation, which can make the use of miswak, as a part of a modern policy in preventive dentistry and community health acceptable.