Abstract
Oral microbial biofilms, directly related to oral diseases, particularly caries and periodontitis, exhibit virulence factors that include acidification of the oral microenvironment and the formation of biofilm enriched with exopolysaccharides, characteristics and common mechanisms that, ultimately, justify the increase in antibiotics resistance. In this line, the search for natural products, mainly obtained through plants, and derived compounds with bioactive potential, endorse unique biological properties in the prevention of colonization, adhesion, and growth of oral bacteria. The present review aims to provide a critical and comprehensive view of the in vitro antibiofilm activity of various medicinal plants, revealing numerous species with antimicrobial properties, among which, twenty-four with biofilm inhibition/reduction percentages greater than 95%. In particular, the essential oils of Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf and Lippia alba (Mill.) seem to be the most promising in fighting microbial biofilm in Streptococcus mutans, given their high capacity to reduce biofilm at low concentrations.
Highlights
The present review focuses on the potential of plant extracts to inhibit the growth and adhesion of oral pathogens, and the development of biofilms, reducing the progress of oral diseases
The focus of this review was to emphasize the potential of extracted products from medicinal plants such as essential oils and plant extracts, to treat common oral diseases, like dental caries and periodontitis, which are mainly caused by the formation of bacterial oral biofilms
The extracts of many medicinal plants have shown promising results in the control of oral biofilms, the two most promising extracts exerting this activity were found to be the essential oils extracted from two aromatic plants, namely C. citratus and L. alba
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. A medical term for tooth decay or cavities, are part of a group of polymicrobial diseases caused by specific acid-producing bacteria, mainly Gram-positive species, such as Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus and Lactobacillus spp., responsible for the destruction of the dental enamel and its lower layer, the dentin [5,6]. These bacteria metabolize sucrose into organic acids, mainly lactic acid, which dissolve calcium phosphate from the teeth causing decalcification and possible decay [7]. The inclusion criteria for the collected papers (54 papers) were as follows: (1) medicinal plants extracts, (2) oral biofilm-associated bacteria, (3) inhibition of biofilm formation and/or eradication of preformed biofilm
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
