salvadora persica

Salvadora persica is a small evergreen tree or shrub native to the Middle East, Africa, and India. It is best known for its use as a natural toothbrush (miswak), recommended by the World Health Organization for oral hygiene. The plant contains various bioactive compounds including flavonoids, alkaloids (such as salvadorine), saponins, tannins, sterols/terpenes (e.g., β-sitosterol), glycosides, organic sulfur compounds and minerals like fluoride and silica. Salvadora persica exhibits multiple pharmacological activities such as antibacterial (notably against oral pathogens), antiviral (including activity against COVID-19 proteases in vitro), antifungal (notably against Candida species), anti-inflammatory (due to phenolic compounds and enzymes like catalase and peroxidase), antioxidant (protecting cells from oxidative stress via polyphenol oxidase enzymes), analgesic effects comparable or superior to aspirin in animal studies due to sterols/flavonoids content; mild laxative/digestive effects attributed to anthraquinones; anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects demonstrated in animal models. Its primary applications are in dental health but it also shows promise for broader therapeutic uses[1][2][4][5][6].

Brand names

miswakarakjhakpīlumustard tree

Other names

salvadoratoothbrush tree