Characterization and Antibacterial Activity of Bovine Hydroxyapatite and Salvadora persica L. Toothpaste

Oral diseases remain a major global health concern, contributing to pain, impaired oral function, and diminished quality of life. Among these, dental caries is the most widespread, primarily caused by bacterial-driven demineralization of enamel and dentin. Given that teeth are predominantly composed of hydroxyapatite, hydroxyapatite-based materials are of particular interest for caries prevention. Acting as a biomimetic oral care agent, hydroxyapatite has demonstrated preventive efficacy in in vivo, in situ, and in vitro studies. In contrast to fluoride, it carries no risk of fluorosis, making it a safe option for long-term daily use. Miswak (Salvadora persica), a traditional oral hygiene tool, contains bioactive compounds with recognized antibacterial potential. The present study investigated the potential of combining bovine-derived hydroxyapatite (BHA) with miswak as active ingredients in toothpaste formulations. Three formulations were prepared incorporating miswak at concentrations of 5%, 7.5%, and 10%. Phytochemical analysis was performed to characterize the bioactive components of miswak. The toothpaste formulations were assessed for organoleptic properties, pH, viscosity, spreadability, foaming capacity, and adhesion, as well as antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus using the disc diffusion method. All formulations met acceptable physicochemical standards for those paramaters and exhibited notable antibacterial effects, with inhibition zones confirming the efficacy of BHA–miswak combinations against S. aureus, respectively for F1, F2, F3 are 15.37±0.06, 15.54±0.06, 15.31±0.11. Overall, the integration of BHA and miswak yielded formulations with favorable quality attributes and antibacterial activity, highlighting their potential as promising active agents for toothpaste development in caries prevention.. Keywords: Bovine Hydroxyapatite, Oral Diseases, Dental, Miswak,