**4. Sage & Myrrh**

A wide range of toothpastes are commercially available and recently interest in naturally based products ,such as Qualimiswak and Prodontax, has increased. Parodontax (Madaus. Cologne. Germany )is composed of sodium bicarbonate and various herbal extracts including Camomile, Echinacea, Sage, Myrrh, Rhatany, and Peppermint oil. The individual components are reputed to have a variety of medicinal properties. Chamomile is claimed to have anti-inflammatory characteristics and Echinacea to have activating effect on leukocytes. Sage is reputed to be an antiseptic while both Myrrh and Rhatany are astringents that have been recommended for incorporation in to dentifrices and mouthwashes. The antibacterial effect of these herbal extracts on anaerobes has been reported (Yankell 1988).

Mullally and colleagues reported that Parodontax toothpaste was as effective as the conventionally formulated dentifrice in the control of plaque (Mullally et al 1995).

The Effects of Plant Extracts on Dental Plaque and Caries 399

Ancient ayurevedic literature contains several references on the medicinal uses of Cichorium intibus Linn (Chicory). Its usage has been for topical application in the treatment of acne, ophthalmia and inflammation of throat. The root is supposed to have aromatic cooling and healing properties. It is believed to purify and enrich blood, reduce inflammation of soft tissues and prevents pain in the joints. Some pharmacological actions of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of roots of chicory were reported. It was found that the extracts of chicory possess therapeutic properties in animal experimental models. In an *in vitro* study per formed by Patel on the anti-plaque effects of chicory extract, after adding herbal extract to the combination of four different commercial toothpastes, the anti-plaque effects of the mentioned toothpastes in comparison with the same toothpastes without herbal extract were evaluated using bacterial sensitivity tests and discs. Results of this study demonstrated a greater anti-plaque effect in all toothpastes containing herbal extract in comparison to the same toothpastes without extract. In another study, Patel compared the antiplaque activity of chicory extract with the antiplaque activity of penicillin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, and streptomycin using microbial sensitivity tests and discs. In his study, bacteria in plaque samples showed high sensitivity to chloramphenicol and streptomycin, and their sensitivity to chicory extract was between the sensitivity to chloramphenicol and

In recent years has studied the biological activity of an extract of Prunella vulgaris L. (Labiatae), and it found marked cytoprotective, antioxidant/radical scavenging, antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects both in vitro and in vivo. This plant, known as the "self-heal", was popular in traditional European medicine during the 17th century as a remedy for alleviating sore throat, reducing fever, and accelerating wound healing. A major constituent of P. vulgaris is rosmarinic acid, a phenolic antioxidant whose content can be as high as 6 %. Phytochemical studies indicate that P. vulgaris further contains oleanolic, betulinic, ursolic, 2α,3α-dihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic and 2α,3α-ursolic acids, triterpenoids, flavonoids, tannins and anionic polysaccharide prunelline. Isoquinoline alkaloids from Macleya cordata R. Br. (Papaveraceae) are another group of biologically active components studied recently. The main alkaloids of this plant, quaternary benzo[c]phenanthridines (QBA) sanguinarine and chelerythrine, are among the most active of antimicrobials natural substances. These alkaloids display a plethora of species- and tissue-specific actions but the molecular basis of their pharmacological activities remains obscure. They exhibit antimicrobial, antiinflammatory, antimitotic, adrenolytic, sympatholytic, cytostatic and local anesthetic effects. A double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed to investigate the effectiveness of a herbal-based dentifrice, containing Prunella vulgaris and Macleya cordata, in the control gingivitis. The result showed the dentifrice was effective in reducing plaque

Chitosan, an abundant natural polymer, is obtained by alkaline N-deacetylation of chitin. Chitosan being a binding agent, bio-adhesive, bio-compatible, bio-degradable, and non-toxic

**10. Chicory** 

streptomycin (Patel & Venkatakrishna-Bhatt 1983).

and symptoms of gingivitis (Adamkova et al 2004).

**12. Chitosan plus herbal extracts** 

**11. Prunella vulgaris & Macleya cordata** 
