Punica granatum (Pomegranate) fruit and its relevance in oral hygiene

Abstract

Herbal mouthwashes have been considered to be a more advantageous option to their chemical counterparts, for a long time. Neem, Honey bee extract and Cranberry extract, among others, have had scientists actively researching their properties. However, having demonstrated significant medicinal uses from treating cancers to lowering heart disease, pomegranate extract is the newest talk of the dental community. This is mainly because of its active component, polyphenolic flavonoid that is believed to prevent gingivitis and basic plaque formation through its anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-oxidant properties. Besides being able to exert considerable control over the levels of different enzymes in the oral cavity, the polyphenols are significantly active against notable oral bacteria like A. actinomycetemcomitans, S. aureus, P. intermedia and P. gingivalis. Through a series of laboratory tests and animal trials, the pomegranate extract has been shown to reduce the clinical signs associated with chronic, inflammatory periodontitis, among other indications such as treatment of oral ulcers. The aim of this systematic review is to propose pomegranate extract as an effective active ingredient in a mouthwash by describing the properties, significant trials and studies and past literature reviews that have marked it suitable for such a use.