Study of antimicrobial activity of Unani poly herbal toothpaste “Sunoon Zard”

OBJECTIVE: The present study was envisioned to develop Sunoon Zard a traditional Unani toothpowder into toothpaste form along with its physicochemical standardization and evaluation of anti microbial activity against oral pathogens by in vitro study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Herbal extracts based powder was redesigned to toothpaste as per the Pharmacopoeial guidelines and its pharmaceutical evaluation was conceded as per the Indian Government Tooth Paste Specifications. In vitro study was done to evaluate the antibacterial activity by using agar well diffusion method against dental pathogens. Zone of Inhibition was taken as the end parameter against the test pathogens after appropriate incubation period. It was compared with Dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) used as solvent (0.01%) as Negative control whereas Ciprofloxacin 5μg/disk (standard antibiotic for gram positive) and Gentamicin 10μg/disk (standard antibiotic for gram negative) were used as Positive control. All the experiment was done as per the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) Guidelines in triplicates. RESULTS: Sunoon Zard was developed into toothpaste form and its physicochemical values were found to in consonance with the optimum values as mentioned in Bureau of Indian Standard. In vitro study of the Sunoon Zard toothpaste was found to be effective against various dental pathogens with specific sensitivity with good zone of inhibition towards gram negative bacterial strains viz. P.aeruginosa and K.pneuomoniae while among gram positive a significant inhibition was found against C.xerosis and S.viridans. CONCLUSION: The developed toothpaste from classical Unani herbal tooth powder will provide the better patient compliance. Moreover its scientific screening which exhibited potential antibacterial activity in controlling pathogenic oral microflora compared to the standard drugs also revalidated the claim of Unani Physicians that the Sunoon Zard is quite effective in various oro-dental disorders.