Background: Antiulcer, antimalarial, antifungal, antiviral, antimutagenic, anticarcinogenic, hypoglycemic and immunomodulatory properties of Azadirachta indica leaves extract have been validated in the literature along with that different components of the Neem tree have shown potent antibacterial activity against various bacteria types. Similarly various studies have documented different health benefits and antibacterial properties of Salvia officinalis. Therefore, in current study antibacterial activity of chlorhexidine-containing mouthwash with leaf extracts of natural herbs, Azadirachta indica, and Salvia officinalis were compared against Streptococcus Mutans and P. gingivalis.

Methodology: Invtro experimental study was conducted in the tertiary care hospital of karachi. The extract of plants were prepared by rotary evaporator. The extracts were diluted in distilled water at 1:4 (Extract: Distilled water) concentration. Study participants were instructed to not brush their teeth before sampling. Study participants were divided into four groups (negative control, positive control, A. indica, and S. officinalis extract rinse group) each group had 20 participants. Diluted A. indica and S. officinalis extract rinses were given to the experimental group for rinses, distilled water was given to the negative control group and positive controls were given a standard commercially available mouth rinse. The next sample of plaque was collected after two hours to observe the effects of A. indica and S. officinalis extract rinses on bacterial colonies. Bacteria were cultured in their appropriate media in optimized habitat.

Results: The pre and post-samples showed a significant (p-value <0.05) decrease in the number of colonies in the positive control group (conventional rinse) A. indica and S. officinalis extract rinses group. The intragroup comparison of negative and positive control showed a significant difference in the number of colonies and the same was observed with the neem leaf extract rinse. However, the positive control, A. indica, and S. officinalis extract rinses comparison was insignificant.

Conclusion: A. indica, and S. officinalis have promising antimicrobial activity, especially against oral pathogens including S. mutans and P. gingivalis that are

Keywords: A. indica, S. officinalis, antimicrobial activity, S. mutans, P. gingivalis