Synergistic antibacterial activity of Salvia officinalis and Rosmarinus officinalis L. extracts against oral pathogens: An In Vitro Study

<ns7:p> Background Recent attention has shifted towards alternative herbal mouthwashes due to the long-term unwanted side effects associated with Chlorhexidine, a common oral hygiene agent. These herbal options aim to serve as preventive therapies against dental caries, which are primarily caused by Streptococcus mutans. Methods This study evaluated the in vitro antimicrobial activity of ethanolic extracts from Salvia officinalis and Rosmarinus officinalis L. against Streptococcus mutans using the disk agar diffusion method to measure the zone of inhibition. The study assessed both the individual and synergistic effects of the extracts and determined their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Results The findings indicated that the 50% ethanolic extracts of both <ns7:italic>S. officinalis</ns7:italic> and <ns7:italic>R. officinalis L.</ns7:italic> , as well as their combined application, exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against <ns7:italic>Streptococcus mutans.</ns7:italic> The MIC values were 200 μg/mL for <ns7:italic>S. officinalis</ns7:italic> and 400 μg/mL for <ns7:italic>R. officinalis L.</ns7:italic> Additionally, higher concentrations of 1600 μg/mL for <ns7:italic>S. officinalis</ns7:italic> and 3200 μg/mL for <ns7:italic>R. officinalis L.</ns7:italic> resulted in a 10 mm inhibition of bacterial growth. Conclusion These findings suggest that these extracts are promising candidates as natural preventive agents for managing dental caries and promoting oral health. </ns7:p>