Despite the antiplaque effect of mouth-rinsing with a combination composed of miswak (Salvadora persica L.) and green tea (Camellia sinensis var. assamica) extracts, no data are available regarding its effect on gingival tissue at the molecular level. This pilot study aimed to assess the effect of oral rinsing with this combination on gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) flow and IL-1β levels. Ten subjects rinsed with either the combination, 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) or distilled water without toothbrushing for 4 days after receiving baseline polishing. GCF IL-1β concentration, influx, resting volume and plaque quantity were measured at baseline and after 4 days for each intervention. No significant differences in GCF flow or resting volume were detected after rinsing with the different mouthwashes. A significant increase in GCF IL-1β concentration was evident only after rinsing with distilled water. Rinsing with combination induced a significant reduction in GCF influx (−0.086 ± 0.222) compared to CHX (0.088 ± 0.247) and distilled water (0.075 ± 0.201). Less plaque was detected after rinsing with combination and CHX. Short-term oral rinsing with this combination could potentially induce no significant changes in GCF flow and IL-1β concentration, and might retard inflammation. Thus, it might be considered in the production of natural oral healthcare products.

Background In earlier studies, a combination of 0.25mg/ml green tea and 7.82mg/ml Salvadora persica L. aqueous extracts (Co) had been found to exhibit anti-bacterial and anti-adherence effects against primary plaque colonizers biofilm in vitro and antiplaque effect as a mouthwash for a period of 24h in vivo. The aim of current study was to evaluate anti-plaque efficacy of Co mouthwash for a longer period of 4 days in vivo. Method A 4-day plaque re-growth double-blinded randomized crossover trial was carried out. A week after receiving polishing and scaling, all participants (n=14) received polishing at base line and rinsed with 15ml of randomly allocated mouthwashes (either Co, 0.12% chlorhexidine or placebo) twice daily without oral hygiene measures for 4 days. After 24h and 4 days’ time points, plaque index was recorded, and then the participants entered a 6-day washout period with regular oral hygiene measures. The same protocol was repeated for the next 2 mouthwashes. Results The Co mouthwash significantly reduced plaque accumulation as compared to Placebo and chlorhexidine). Conclusion The Co mouthwash has antiplaque activity for a 4-day period and might be a potential alternative to synthetic mouthwashes.