A Review on Impact of Medicinal Plants on the Treatment of Oral and Dental Diseases

Metabolomic, antibacterial, and ethnobotanical investigation of a Caribbean chew stick (bejuco de Indio), Gouania lupuloides (L.) Urb

Gouania lupuloides (L.) Urb. (Rhamnaceae), a medicinal plant commonly used in the Caribbean for dental health, is known as chew stick (chewstick) or bejuco de Indio. Few studies have assessed its chemistry and biological activity. The overall aim of this research is to understand the phytochemistry and antibacterial activity of Gouania lupuloides, as well as its continued cultural use. Authenticated Gouania lupuloides samples collected in Jamaica were extracted, subjected to solvent-solvent partitioning, and evaluated for inhibitory activity against pathogenic oral bacteria. Commercial Caribbean samples of bejuco de Indio available in the United States were compared chemically to known Gouania lupuloides samples through targeted and untargeted UPLC-QTOF-MS analysis. Ethnobotanical fieldwork in rural and urban Jamaica demonstrated the ongoing cultural use of Gouania lupuloides as a natural toothbrush, and in the preservation of traditional fermented beverages. Antibacterial assays demonstrated that triterpenes from Gouania lupuloides, including ceanothic acid, had activity against several of the tested oral pathogens, such as Actinomyces viscosus, Prevotella intermedia, and Peptostreptococcus micros. Principal component analysis indicates that at least one of the chew stick samples sold as bejuco de Indio was chemically distinct from Gouania lupuloides type specimens. Presence of ceanothic acid was used to characterize a chemical fingerprint typical of Gouania lupuloides to aid in the chemotaxonomic identification of unknown chew sticks. Additionally, antibacterial ceanothic acid was present in similar relative abundance in all samples identified as Gouania lupuloides, further supporting its traditional use for oral health and hygiene.

Review of carbonaceous nanoparticles for antibacterial uses in various dental infections

The mouth cavity is the second most complex microbial community in the human body. It is composed of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. An imbalance in the oral microbiota may lead to various conditions, including caries, soft tissue infections, periodontitis, root canal infections, peri-implantitis (PI), pulpitis, candidiasis, and denture stomatitis. Additionally, several locally administered antimicrobials have been suggested for dentistry in surgical and non-surgical applications. The main drawbacks are increased antimicrobial resistance, the risk of upsetting the natural microbiota, and hypersensitivity responses. Because of their unique physiochemical characteristics, nanoparticles (NPs) can circumvent antibiotic-resistance mechanisms and exert antimicrobial action via a variety of new bactericidal routes. Because of their anti-microbial properties, carbon-based NPs are becoming more and more effective antibacterial agents. Periodontitis, mouth infections, PI, dentin and root infections, and other dental diseases are among the conditions that may be treated using carbon NPs (CNPs) like graphene oxide and carbon dots. An outline of the scientific development of multifunctional CNPs concerning oral disorders will be given before talking about the significant influence of CNPs on dental health. Some of these illnesses include Periodontitis, oral infections, dental caries, dental pulp disorders, dentin and dental root infections, and PI. We also review the remaining research and application barriers for carbon-based NPs and possible future problems.

Development and Evaluation of Oromucosal Spray Formulation Containing Plant-Derived Compounds for the Treatment of Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases of the Oral Cavity

According to data in the literature, natural products and essential oils are often used in dental practice. To develop a new oromucosal spray for the treatment of infectious and inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity, clove CO2 extract and essential oils of lavender and grapefruit were used as active pharmaceutical ingredients. Clove extract was obtained by the method of subcritical extraction from various raw materials, the choice of which was based on the yield of the CO2 extract and the study of its phytochemical and microbiological properties. Based on the results of microscopic and diffraction analyses, the rational time of ultrasonic exposure for the emulsion of active pharmaceutical ingredients was established. Mucoadhesive polymers were used as stabilizers of the two-phase system and prolongators. This article discusses the impact of the type and concentration of mucoadhesive polymers on the stability of the emulsion system; the viscous, textural, adhesive, and film characteristics of oromucosal spray; and the parameters determining sprayability.

Free Radical Scavenging, Anti-inflammatory and Antibacterial Activity of Acorus calamus Leaves Extract Against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus

Background Herbal medicine, or phytotherapy, has been used for centuries in traditional healing practices to harness the therapeutic properties of different plant-derived elements. Acorus calamus, a perennial herbaceous plant, has significant historical importance in traditional medicine, specifically in Ayurveda, where it is referred to as "Vacha." This study investigates the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial characteristics of the A. calamus dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) extract. The objectives of the research are to provide valuable knowledge about the preparation of A. calamus DMSO extract and to explore its potential anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial effects. Materials and methods The A. calamus DMSO extract was derived from leaves, and its antioxidant activity was evaluated through the use of the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) assay, hydroxyl radical scavenging assay (H2O2 assay), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. The anti-inflammatory activity was assessed using the Bovine serum albumin (BSA) denaturation assay, egg albumin (EA) denaturation assay, and membrane stabilization assays. The antimicrobial activity was analyzed using the agar well diffusion technique and the time-kill curve assay. Results In DPPH and H2O2 tests, the DMSO extract of A. calamus showed significant antioxidant activity, near that of standard ascorbic acid. The FRAP assay demonstrated a correlation between the dose and the activity of reducing ferric ions. The A. calamus DMSO extract exhibited significant anti-inflammatory properties in BSA and EA denaturation assays, similar to the standard diclofenac sodium. The anti-inflammatory potential of the A. calamus DMSO extract was further confirmed through the membrane stabilization assay. The DMSO extract of A. calamus exhibited a significant inhibition zone against the pathogens Streptococcus mutans and Pseudomonas aeruginosa during the antimicrobial evaluation, surpassing the efficacy of the standard antibiotic. The time-kill curve assay validated the antibacterial efficacy, which was dependent on the concentration. Conclusion The A. calamus DMSO extract exhibited promising antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, supporting its traditional use in alternative medicine. The findings suggest its potential as a natural resource of compounds with bioactive properties for use in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications.