Don’t Get a Toothache! Novel Chemical Composition of Miswak, the Natural Toothbrush

Salvadora Persica, most known as the toothbrush tree, holds a distinctive place in middle eastern folkloric traditions, particularly for its roots, which have served as a natural toothbrush for many centuries. Many recent studies surrounding this plant have demonstrated its antimicrobial properties, attributing their efficacy to the presence of benzyl isothiocyanate, BITC. This study aimed to quantify the BITC molecule and identify additional components present in these roots with two novel extraction methods. A hydrosol of the root was produced with microwave hydrodistillation and a supercritical-CO2 (s-CO2) extract were prepared from the roots and were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The hydrosol was found to contain BITC, benzylcyanide, and 5-(isothiocyanatomethyl)-1,2,3-trimethoxybenzene, while the s-CO2 extract did not contain the trimethoxy compound, but exhibited preservatives and fatty acids.