## 4 Discussion
However, it is important to acknowledge that NaOCl and CHX remain widely used in endodontics due to their well-established properties. NaOCl exhibits broad-spectrum antimicrobial efficacy, an anti-endotoxin effect, and pulp tissue-dissolving capabilities, while CHX is valued for its antimicrobial activity and biocompatibility [10]. Despite these advantages, certain drawbacks associated with these irrigants have led to the search for alternative, more biocompatible agents. While the potential of plant-based extracts as endodontic irrigants is promising, direct comparisons with NaOCl and CHX remain premature. Further studies, particularly in vivo and clinical settings, are necessary to validate their efficacy and practical applicability. This antibiofilm action is attributed to the fact that vegetables from the _Brassicaceae_ family, such as watercross, have been studied for their richness in vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals, particularly phenolics, which include flavonoids and sulfur-containing compounds. Among the sulfur-containing compounds, glucosinolates are the most prominent and are found alongside the enzyme myrosinase. This enzyme hydrolyzes glucosinolates, converting them into isothiates, nitriles, epithionitriles, and thiocyanates [29]. In addition, Isothiocyanates are recognized as key inhibitors of microbial activity, a property attributed to their ability to bind to key enzymes involved in microbial growth and survival. In the species _N. officinal_, as well as in other plants from the same family, the glucosinolate known as gluconasturtin is present. This compound is the precursor of 2-phenylethyll isothiamate (PEITC), which exhibits biological effects such as antimicrobial activity, particularly against bacteria, and serves as a barrier to microbial growth [29]. It was shown that the antimicrobial mechanism of action of isothiyanates involves affecting the integrity of the cell membrane, enzymes related to the redox balance, and bacterial metabolism [30]. According to a review by [PERSON] and [PERSON] (2022), quercetin, a compound found in both _N. officinal_ and _Psidium guajava_, acts against bacteria through four main mechanisms: disruption of the cell wall and membrane, inhibition of nucleic acid synthesis, prevention of biofilm formation, and reduction in virulence factor expression [31]. Additionally, a study by [PERSON] et al. demonstrated quercetin's effectiveness in inhibiting _Enterococcus faecalis_ biofilm formation by altering the expression of 19 proteins--10 of which were overexpressed and 9 suppressed--primarily involved in the glycolytic pathway, protein translation and elongation, and protein folding. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy in this study revealed that _E. faecalis_ treated with quercetin did not exhibit shape distortion or external damage [32]. Finally, given the increasing interest in biocompatible and natural antimicrobial agents, the use of herbal medicines is gaining a greater space constantly [12; 13; 14]; thus, the use of a herbal medicine extract would be considered in endodontics because of the positive results obtained in these basic studies. However, further in vitro and animal studies are highly recommended, and then clinical studies, to consider the use of these extracts as endodontic irrigants, and to explore the optimal concentration, formulation, and possible synergistic effects of these plant extracts when combined with existing irrigants. Their potential role in reducing the cytotoxic effects of NaOCl or enhancing the efficacy of CHX presents a promising avenue for future research.