In Vitro Antimicrobial Activity of Salvadora persica L. Extracts Against Some Isolated Oral Pathogens in Iraq

Aqueous and methanol extracts of Salvadora persica L., a plant used in Iraq for oral hygiene, was investigated for itsantimicrobial activities against 7 isolated oral pathogens: Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus faecalis,Streptococcus pyogenis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans using disc diffusion and micro-welldilution assays. According to both antimicrobial assays the aqueous extract inhibited all isolated microorganisms, especially theStreptococcus species, and was more efficient than the methanol extract, which was resisted by Lacto. acidophilus and Ps.aeruginosa. The strongest antibacterial activity was observed using the aqueous extract against Strep. faecalis (zone of inhibition:22.3 mm; MIC: 0.781 mg/ml). Both extracts had equal antifungal activity against C. albicans based on the turbidity test (MIC: 6.25mg/ml).