effects of two iranian herbal extracts of malva sylvestris and salvadora persica on two oral streptococci

background and aim . gingivitis is a reversible inflammatory reaction seen with various degrees in most individuals aged 17 to 22 years. the aim of this study was to compare the effects of two herbal extracts on streptococcus salivarius and streptococcus sanguis. materials and methods . aqueous alcoholic root extracts of malva sylvestris and salvadora persica were prepared and tested on pseudomonas aeruginosa. the diluted extracts, 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash, betadine and phenol were added to blood agar culture media with s. salivarius and s. sanguis in dilution degree of 5% mc farland (1.5×10 cfu/ml) and average diameter for 14 halo of no growth in each case was measured using a caliper. data was analyzed using anova. results . average diameter of halo of no growth of bacterium 1449 showed no significant difference between salvadora persica tree root extract with 16±0.21 mm and chlorhexidine mouthwash with 16.1±0.22 mm (p=0.00). mean diameter of halo of no growth created by malva sylvestris root extract (9.1±0.21 mm) was higher than that of both mouthwashes (7.1 ±0.23 mm; p=0.00) but lower than that of chlorhexidine mouthwash and betadine (10±0.21mm; p=0.00). m. sylvestris showed a significant difference with the other three materials regarding mean diameter of no-growth (p=0.00). mean diameter of halo of no growth of bacterium 1448 for malva parviflora (15.6±3.63 mm) and salvadora persica tree (16.1±4.2 mm) showed no significant difference (p>0.05). however, the mean diameter of s. persica was less than that of chlorhexidine (24±0.2 mm) and more than that of irsha month wash (7.7±0.3 mm) & betadine (5.5 ±0.6 mm) and showed significant differences with each of the three materials (p=0.00). conclusion . according to the results, the effect of evaluated aqueous-alcoholic herbal extracts on some of oral micro biota are comparable to chlorhexidine, irsha and betadine mouthwashes. more in vitro and in vivo studies are recommended to demonstrate practical approach of using herbal mouthwashes for the oral biofilms.