Antimicrobial activities of plants used as toothbrush (toothpicks) by Fulani of Tessékéré commune (North Ferlo, Senegal)

Abstract

The toothbrush stick is the most commonly used dental hygiene material at Ferlo to prevent dental pathologies and keep a beautiful dentition. In order to evaluate the biological activity of the plants used as rubbing sticks in the municipality of Tessékéré (North Senegal), an ethnobotanical survey using a semi-directive interview guide was conducted to identify the plants used. Among the species mentioned, thirteen, divided into eight families were selected on the basis of the importance of their Fidelity Index (FI). Aqueous extracts were made from the stems for evaluation of associated antimicrobial activities. Micro dilution tests were used to evaluate the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of selected plant extracts on three bacterial oral pathogenic strains (Streptoccocus mutans, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Lactobacillus acidophilus) and two strains of Candida albicans (opportunistic yeasts). The extracts of Anogeissus leiocarpa, Sclerocarya birrea and Acacia seyal proved to be active. A. leiocarpa, the most active plant, has a significant effect against both strains of C. albicans and two bacterial strains (L. acidophilus and P. gingivalis) on the three tested, with MIC values between 16 and 512 μg / ml. The extract of S. birrea showed moderate activity against one of the two strains of C. albicans, as well as that of A. seyal against Streptoccocus mutans. These results highlight the interest of these three woody species in the context of oral hygiene as toothbrush sticks.