Almas Khalid, Al-Zeid Zuhair
Department of Periodontics at the College of Dentistry, New York University in New York City, USA.
J Contemp Dent Pract. 2004 Feb 15;5(1):105-14.
The aim of this study was to assess the antimicrobial activity of the miswak chewing stick (Salvadora persica) in vivo, especially on streptococcus mutans and lactobacilli. The study was conducted clinically using patients' saliva and measuring the effect of miswak (chewing stick), miswak extract, toothbrush, and normal saline on mutans and lactobacilli. Forty male subjects aged 20-45 years were included in the study; there were four groups of ten subjects each. For the study, 50% of miswak extract (solution) was used. The levels of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli were measured using commercially available Vivacare line CRT (Caries Risk Test) bacteria 2 in 1 kit. The results showed there was a marked reduction of streptococcus mutans among all groups. When the groups were compared, the reduction of streptococcus mutans was significantly greater using miswak in comparison to toothbrushing (p = 0.013), and there was no significant difference for lactobacilli reduction (p = 0.147). It may be concluded miswak has an immediate antimicrobial effect. Streptococcus mutans were more susceptible to miswak antimicrobial activity than lactobacilli. Dietary intake of sugar and oral health status may be considered for controlled clinical trials with special emphasis on the antibacterial activity of miswak on cariogenic bacteria for a longer period of time. A toothbrush with and without toothpaste should be compared with miswak alone. Further research is needed with a larger sample size.
本研究的目的是评估阿拉伯牙刷棒（佩里 salvadora）在体内的抗菌活性，尤其是对变形链球菌和乳酸杆菌的抗菌活性。该研究通过临床方式进行，使用患者的唾液，并测量阿拉伯牙刷棒（咀嚼棒）、阿拉伯牙刷棒提取物、牙刷和生理盐水对变形链球菌和乳酸杆菌的影响。40名年龄在20至45岁之间的男性受试者被纳入研究；分为四组，每组十名受试者。本研究使用了50%的阿拉伯牙刷棒提取物（溶液）。使用市售的Vivacare line CRT（龋齿风险测试）二合一细菌检测试剂盒测量变形链球菌和乳酸杆菌的水平。结果显示，所有组中的变形链球菌数量均显著减少。在比较各试验组时，与刷牙相比，使用阿拉伯牙刷棒时变形链球菌数量的减少更为显著（p = 0.013），而乳酸杆菌数量的减少没有显著差异（p = 0.147）。可以得出结论，阿拉伯牙刷棒具有即时抗菌作用。变形链球菌比乳酸杆菌对阿拉伯牙刷棒的抗菌活性更敏感。在对照临床试验中，可能需要考虑糖分的饮食摄入和口腔健康状况，特别要强调阿拉伯牙刷棒对致龋菌的抗菌活性的长期影响。应将使用或不使用牙膏的牙刷与单独使用阿拉伯牙刷棒进行比较。需要更大样本量的进一步研究。
