Plant-Derived Substances with Antibacterial, Antioxidant, and Flavoring Potential to Formulate Oral Health Care Products

Herbal remedies for oral and dental health: a comprehensive review of their multifaceted mechanisms including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant pathways

Across diverse cultures, herbal remedies have been used to alleviate oral discomfort and maintain dental hygiene. This review presents studies on herbal remedies with remarkable antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, anticaries, analgesic, and healing properties. The manuscripts demonstrate the depth of scientific inquiry into herbal remedies used for the management of various oral and dental health conditions. These include gingivitis, oral ulcers, mucositis, periodontitis, oral pathogens, carcinoma, xerostomia, and dental caries. Researchers have investigated the phytochemical and pharmacological properties of plant-derived compounds and their extracts evaluated their interactions with oral pathogens and inflammatory processes. The convergence of traditional knowledge and rigorous scientific investigation offers a compelling narrative, fostering a deeper understanding of herbal remedies as viable alternatives to conventional dental interventions. This work has the potential to provide patients with access to gentle, yet effective solutions, and simultaneously offer dental health professionals the opportunity to enrich their knowledge, and ability to provide personalized, holistic care. This review highlights the symbiotic relationship between herbal medicine and scientific understanding, emphasizing the importance of disseminating this knowledge to benefit both practitioners and patients, enabling evidence-based decision-making in dental care. The exploration of herbal remedies offers a promising alternative, potentially mitigating some of these side effects while promoting oral health in a more natural and holistic manner.

Effects of Sulforaphene on the Cariogenic Properties of Streptococcus Mutans In Vitro and Dental Caries Development In Vivo

Sulforaphene (SFE) is a common nutritional supplement with antibacterial, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the effects of SFE on the cariogenicity of Streptococcus mutans and dental caries have not been reported. The objectives of this study were to investigate the caries-controlling potential of SFE. The effects of SFE on S. mutans were investigated using the broth microdilution method, crystal violet staining, SEM observation, acid tolerance assays, lactic acid quantification, and polysaccharide measurements. A rat caries model was established to evaluate the caries-controlling effects and biocompatibility of SFE in vivo. SFE inhibited S. mutans growth and biofilm formation. Furthermore, SFE restrained the cariogenic properties of S. mutans, including its acid production, acid tolerance, and extracellular polysaccharide production, without affecting the bacterial viability at sub-inhibitory levels. In the rat caries model, SFE significantly arrested the onset and development of dental caries. Moreover, no visible hemolytic phenomenon or cytotoxicity was detected in the SFE groups. After four weeks of SFE treatment, all rats remained in apparent good health with no significant differences in weight gain; their hemogram and biochemical parameters were normal; no pathological changes were observed in the oral mucosa, liver, or kidneys. In conclusion, SFE was safe and inhibited the development of caries effectively.

Aegle marvels (L.) Correa Leaf Essential Oil and Its Phytoconstituents as an Anticancer and Anti-Streptococcus mutans Agent

Aegle mamelons (A. marmelos) or Indian Bael leaves possess anti-cancerous and antibacterial properties and are used in the traditional medicine system for the treatment of oral infections. In the present study, the essential oil of the leaves of A. marmelos was explored for its anticancer, antioxidant, and anti-cariogenic properties. The hydro-distilled oil of A. marmelos leaves was analyzed using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Monoterpene limonene (63.71%) was found to have the highest percentage after trans-2-Hydroxy-1,8-cineole and p-Menth-2,8-dien-1-ol. The MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay was used to investigate the anticancer activity of the extracted oil against human oral epidermal carcinoma (KB), and the results showed significantly higher (**** p < 0.0001) anticancer activity (45.89%) in the doxorubicin (47.87%) when compared to the normal control. The antioxidant activity of the essential oil was evaluated using methods of DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)). The results showed a significant (*** p < 0.001) percentage of inhibition of DPPH-induced free radical (70.02 ± 1.6%) and ABTS-induced free radical (70.7 ± 1.32%) at 100 µg/mL with IC50, 72.51 and 67.33 µg/mL, respectively, comparatively lower than standard compound ascorbic acid. The results of the molecular docking study of the significant compound limonene with the receptors tyrosinase and tyrosine kinase 2 supported the in vitro antioxidant potential. The anti-cariogenic activity was evaluated against Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans). Results showed a significant minimum inhibitor concentration of 0.25 mg/mL and the killing time was achieved at 3 to 6 h. The molecular-docking study showed that limonene inhibits the surface receptors of the S. mutans c-terminal domain and CviR protein. The study found that A. marmelos leaves have potential anti-carcinoma, antioxidant, and anti-cariogenic effects on human oral epidermal health, making them a valuable natural therapeutic agent for managing oral cancer and infections.

Antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli of extracted Piper betle leaf materials by disc diffusion assay and batch experiments

The use of contaminated water by bacteria may cause many diseases, and thus clean water is needed. Chlorine is normally used for the disinfection of wastewater treatment; however, it produces unwanted odors. Using extracted Piper betle (P. betle) is an interesting choice because it is a good chemical compound for bacterial inhibitions. This study attempted to extract P. betle leaf and synthesize P. betle beads (PBB) to characterize materials and investigate antibacterial efficiencies by disc diffusion assay, batch tests, adsorption isotherms, kinetics, and material reusability. The results demonstrated the successful extraction and synthesis of the materials of P. betle. P. betle powder (PBP) had porous and rough surfaces, whereas PBB had a spherical shape with a coarse surface. The four main chemical elements and functional groups of PBP and PBB were carbon, oxygen, calcium, chlorine, and O-H, C-H, N-H, C-O, respectively. The extraction yield and total phenolic, flavonoid, and tannin contents of P. betle were 11.30%, 201.55 ± 0.31 mg GAE per g, 56.86 ± 0.14 mg RE per g, and 41.76 ± 1.32 mg CE per g, respectively. The six main compounds of eugenol, quercetin, apigenin, kaempferol, ascorbic acid, and hydroxychavicol were detected by HPLC analysis. The results of the disc diffusion assay confirmed antibacterial efficiencies of PBB, and the batch tests examined high antibacterial efficiencies of PBB for 100% on Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The adsorption isotherms and kinetics of PBB corresponded to Freundlich model and pseudo-second order kinetic model, and the desorption experiments confirmed the reusability of PBB. Therefore, PBB can be possibly applied for an antibacterial purpose in wastewater treatment systems.

Significance of chlorine-dioxide-based oral rinses in preventing SARS-CoV-2 cell entry

OBJECTIVE

This work aims to determine the efficacy of preprocedural oral rinsing with chlorine dioxide solutions to minimize the risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission during high-risk dental procedures.

METHODS

The antiviral activity of chlorine-dioxide-based oral rinse (OR) solutions was tested by pre-incubating with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pseudovirus in a dosage-dependent manner before transducing to human embryonic kidney epithelial (HEK293T-ACE2) cells, which stably expresses ACE-2 receptor. Viral entry was determined by measuring luciferase activity using a luminescence microplate reader. In the cell-to-cell fusion assay, effector Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1) cells co-expressing spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 and T7 RNA polymerase were pre-incubated with the ORs before co-culturing with the target CHO-K1 cells co-expressing human ACE2 receptor and luciferase gene. The luciferase signal was quantified 24 h after mixing the cells. Surface expression of SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein and ACE-2 receptor was confirmed using direct fluorescent imaging and quantitative cell-ELISA. Finally, dosage-dependent cytotoxic effects of ORs were evaluated at two different time points.

RESULTS

A dosage-dependent antiviral effect of the ORs was observed against SARS-CoV-2 cell entry and spike glycoprotein mediated cell-to-cell fusion. This demonstrates that ORs can be useful as a preprocedural step to reduce viral infectivity.

CONCLUSIONS

Chlorine-dioxide-based ORs have a potential benefit for reducing SARS-CoV-2 entry and spread.

Oral Mucositis Induced by Chemoradiotherapy in Head and Neck Cancer—A Short Review about the Therapeutic Management and the Benefits of Bee Honey

Background and Objectives: Oral mucositis, a severe non-hematological complication, can be induced by chemoradiotherapy. It is associated with severe local dysfunction, severely affecting the patient’s quality of life; it increases the risk of oral infections and interrupts oncological treatment, thus prolonging the duration and cost of hospitalization. Besides all of the agents used in the prevention and treatment of oral mucositis induced by oncological treatment, can there be found an easier one to administer, with an effective preparation, high addressability, both for adults and paediatric patients, without side effects, and at the same time cheap and easy to purchase? The aim of the present paper is to demonstrate the existence of this product, which is available to everyone, having multiple benefits. Materials and Methods: For the purpose of writing this article, materials were searched in electronic databases in between 2019 and 2021, taking into consideration papers where authors have demonstrated the effectiveness of this product through its topical or systemic use. Results: Numerous studies have highlighted the benefits of honey on oral mucositis. Through its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancerous and antibacterial action, honey has proved to have a major impact on the patient’s quality of life and nutritional status by promoting tissue epithelialization and healing of the chemoradiotherapy-induced lesions. Conclusions: Superior to many natural agents, bee honey can be successfully used in both preventing and treating oral mucositis. There are currently numerous studies supporting and recommending the use of bee honey in the management of this oncological toxicity.