Effectiveness of a 20% Miswak extract against a mixture of Candida albicans and Enterococcus faecalis

OBJECTIVE: To examine the in vitro antimicrobial effect of a 20% Miswak extract against a mixture of Candida albicans (C. albicans) and Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) using the dilution tube susceptibility test, which allows direct contact between the tested material and the microorganisms.

METHODS: The study samples were collected and processed between August 2009 and January 2010 in the College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Each microorganism was obtained in a suspension and exposed to a 20% Miswak extract in plastic tissue culture clusters containing 24 wells. Six wells were used per group. The Miswak extract was incubated with the microorganisms for one, 6, and 24 hours.

RESULTS: This in vitro study showed that Miswak extract was an effective antifungal and antibacterial agent at all tested experimental time periods, except one hour exposure of a 20% Miswak extract to E. faecalis and a mixture of E. faecalis and C. albicans, which was ineffective in inhibiting their growth.

CONCLUSION: Twenty percent Miswak extract is an effective antifungal and antibacterial agent against C. albicans and E. faecalis.