Antibacterial activity of extracts from some African chewing sticks.

The antibacterial activity of aqueous, isobutanol, and benzene extracts of five popular African chewing sticks was studied by the agar ditch plate method. The isobutanol extract produced the greatest antimicrobial activity, and the benzene extract the least. Streptococci were the most sensitive to the extracts, while Escherichia coli was the most resistant. It would appear that the active principles of the various chewing-stick extracts are not the same and that the extract from a given chewing stick is chemically heterogeneous. It is suggested that the regular use of the African chewing stick, acting as an antiseptic, may control the formation and activity of dental plaque and therefore reduce the incidence of gingivitis and possibly dental caries.