Formulation, Phytochemical Analysis, and Evaluation of Herbal Mouthwash Containing Pongamia pinnata Leaf Extract
Keywords:
Herbal Mouthwash, Pongamia pinnata, Oral Hygiene, Antimicrobial activityAbstract
Oral health plays a crucial role in overall well-being, and mouthwashes are widely used as adjuncts to mechanical oral hygiene. However, prolonged use of chemical mouthwashes such as chlorhexidine is often associated with side effects including tooth staining, taste alteration, and mucosal irritation. This study explores a natural alternative by formulating and evaluating a herbal mouthwash using Pongamia pinnata leaf extract, known for its traditional medicinal use and bioactive properties.
The dried leaf powder of Pongamia pinnata was extracted using Soxhlet apparatus with 70% hydroalcoholic solvent. The extract underwent preliminary phytochemical screening, confirming the presence of flavonoids, tannins, saponins, alkaloids, terpenoids, and cardiac glycosides. Six formulations (F1–F6) were developed with varying concentrations of the extract and supporting ingredients such as clove oil, peppermint oil, glycerol, PEG 400, Tween 80, sodium chloride, and saccharin.
The mouthwash formulations were evaluated for organoleptic properties, pH (6–7), viscosity (1–1.34 cP), foam height, and antimicrobial activity using the agar well diffusion method against oral bacteria isolated from human saliva. Formulations F2, F3, and F6 exhibited strong antimicrobial zones of inhibition up to 20 mm. All formulations showed stable physical characteristics with no phase separation or degradation during 7-day accelerated stability testing under alternating temperatures (4°C and room temperature).
The study concludes that Pongamia pinnata-based mouthwash formulations possess desirable physicochemical and antimicrobial properties, offering a promising natural, safe, and effective alternative to conventional chemical mouthwashes. These findings support further clinical research and development of plant-based oral hygiene products for public use
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