What are the active compounds in the toothbrush tree?
Branches and roots of the toothbrush tree Salvadora persica have been used in the Middle East and North Africa very effectively for tooth cleaning and oral hygiene for several centuries. So far, little is known about the active substances responsible for the caring and protective effect of these natural toothbrushes. Scientists from Egypt and the IPB have now performed an inventory of primary and secondary metabolites contained in Salvadora branches and roots. Using comparative MS and NMR metabolomics, they identified a total of 21 as yet undetected substances, including flavonoids, phenolic acids and various sulfur compounds. Betaines were found in high concentrations, which act as natural anti-osmosis agents and protect the oral mucosa against water loss. In addition, Stachydrins and some sulfur compounds exhibited anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Due to their concentration and composition of active compounds, the roots of the Salvadora plant are probably more suitable for dental care than their branches, the scientists concluded.
