Physicochemical Evaluation and Antibacterial Activity of Massularia acuminata Herbal Toothpaste

Oral hygiene, an integral part of the body's general well-being, should be maintained to prevent dental problems. This study was conducted to incorporate the ethanol extract of Massularia acuminata twigs in a formulation of herbal toothpaste and evaluate its antibacterial activity compared with a commercially available herbal toothpaste against two dental pathogens, namely, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus mutans.

The content of dried M. acuminata twig was extracted using ethanol and used in the formulation of toothpaste containing 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5% M. acuminata extract. The sensory and physicochemical properties of the toothpaste were evaluated. The agar well diffusion method was used to evaluate the antibacterial susceptibility of the toothpaste against S. aureus and S. mutans. Data were analyzed using One-Way analysis of variance and Student's t-test.

All toothpastes were smooth and sweet and smelled pleasant. They all had good retention ability on the bristles of toothbrush and had a pH range of 7.18-7.83. The toothpastes of the extracts of different concentration demonstrated antibacterial activities against the test organisms. The antibacterial activity of the formulated toothpastes increased significantly with an increase in the extract concentration. F5 that contained 5% extract showed the highest activity, with an inhibition zone of 19.30±0.17 mm and 12.60±0.52 mm against S. aureus and S. mutans, respectively, even when compared with the commercially available herbal toothpaste.

The incorporation of the M. acuminata extract in the formulation of herbal toothpaste prevented the growth of S. aureus and S. mutans. Incorporating this extract in toothpaste formulation will satisfactorily maintain oral hygiene, which is desirable to prevent dental caries and periodontal diseases.