The Antibacterial Properties of the Buffer Extracts of Chewing Sticks Used in Nigeria

Abstract

The extracts from wooden chewing sticks, widely used in Africa for cleaning teeth have been tested in regards to their antibacterial activity. Specifically the extract from Fagara zanthoxyloides has been observed to produce a significant effect in red blood cells. The role o f the extract in sickle cell has not been fully evaluated. However, it appears to contribute, to some extent, to reduced oxygen tension, and the prevention of fragility in red blood cells.

Anti-biofilm activity ofSalvadora persicaon cariogenic isolates ofStreptococcus mutans:in vitroand molecular docking studies

“…The present study highlighted not only the bioactive phytochemicals of S. persica but also revealed their importance in cleansing teeth through mechanical and antibacterial actions. Several studies reported the antibacterial activity and associated role of Asian (Almas 2001), African (Ndukwe et al 2004;van Vuuren and Viljoen 2006), Ethiopian (Kassu et al 1999), Indian (Hebbar et al 2004), and Nigerian (Fadulu 1975) natural toothsticks in maintaining oral hygiene. In the present study, the susceptibility of S. mutans to different extracts varied considerably, indicating the presence of more than one bioactive principle.…”

Antimicrobial Alkaloids from a Nigerian Chewing Stick (Fagara zanthoxyloides)

“…Odebiyi, Sofowora kaloids in F. zanthoxjloides might be responsible for its antimicrobial activity but did not isolate or identify these alkaloids [14]. This is therefore the first report implicating these alkaloids from F. [5].…”

Post‐harvest fungal quality of selected chewing sticks

“…Although the test plants have been previously reported to have antimicrobial activity (Fadulu, 1975; Akande and Hayashi, 1998), the investigations revealed that all were susceptible to post‐harvest fungal colonization during storage. The resistance of G. kola to fungal spoilage could be due to antimicrobial properties on the stem as reported by Fadulu (1975). Furthermore the bark of A. indica would tend to retain some of these properties, as reported by Akande and Hayashi (1998) who prepared this wood with the bark and subsequently tested its antimicrobial activity.…”