Formulation and evaluation of herbal toothpaste incorporating Zanthoxylum armatum

Abstract

Increased need for safe and natural substitutes for synthetic oral care products has generated interest in the development of herbal preparations. In this research, the development and testing of a toothpaste formula based on Zanthoxylum armatum, known as Timur or Toothache tree, were examined. The extracts of the bark and fruit of Z. armatum were blended with a toothpaste base and analyzed for different physicochemical parameters such as pH, foaming capacity, abrasivity, spread, and stability. Microbiological evaluation was carried out against regular oral pathogens like Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus by the agar well diffusion test. The formula showed reasonable organoleptic characteristics and showed high antimicrobial activity similar to that of commercial toothpaste. The results validate the promise of Z. armatum as an active ingredient in herbal toothpaste products, providing a natural and effective method for oral care with lower risk of adverse effects compared to synthetic chemicals.