Abstract:
Background: Herbal mouthwash provides a viable alternative as they are alcohol-free,
chemical free and contains time tested herbal oils and plant extracts that promote oral health.
Objectives: The aim of the present study was to formulate herbal mouthwash with potential
antioxidant activity using freeze dried powder of 70% aqueous acetone defatted crude leaf
extract obtained from Buahinia racemosa plant.
Methodology: Aqueous acetone (70% ) crude extract was prepared by steeping method and
partitioned with hexane to obtain defatted crude extract which was subjected to preliminary
phytochemical tests. The total phenolic, total flavonoid contents of the extact were
performed by using Folin Ciocalteu method and Aluminiumchloride method respectively. In
vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)
assay. A herbal mouthwash with different formulations were prepared by incorporating the
freeze dried powder of the leaf extract and subjected to evaluate in vitro antioxidant activity
compared to two different commercial products. The physical parameters (pH, odor,
appearance, homogeneity) were also tested for 14 days at room temperature.
Results and conclusions: Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of
phenolic compounds, flavonoids, saponins, carbohydrates and reducing sugars. The results
of the total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and antioxidant capacity measured by
DPPH assay were 5244.353 mg GAE/100 g, 3704.488 mg CAE/100 g and 5.934
mmolTrolox equivalents/100 g dry weight (DW) of the leaves respectively. The formulated
herbal mouthwash was found to be liquid, homogenous and red colour with pleasant odor.
The pH of the mouthwash was found to be in the range of 6 to 7. It is concluded that the
B. racemosa leaves have promising antioxidant activity and the formulated mouthwash
should be further investigated to be commercialized as a herbal mouthwash with potent
antioxidants.