Volume 154, February 2016, Pages 6–18
Highlights
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- A rigorous review of natural products used in oral health was conducted.
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- Punica granatum, Matricaria recutita, Vitis vinifera and Camellia sinensis are used.
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- Other plants are Diospyros mespiliformis, Diospyros lycioides and Salvadora persica.
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- Honey, propolis, rhein, essential oils, probiotics and mushrooms are also used.
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- Data on clinical efficacy and toxicity are urgently needed.
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- More research and funding are also needed in the field of natural products for oral health.
Abstract
Challenges
of resistance to synthetic antimicrobials have opened new vistas in the
search for natural products. This article rigorously reviews plants and
other natural products used in oral health: Punica granatum L. (pomegranate), Matricaria recutita L. (chamomile), Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze (green tea), chewing sticks made from Diospyros mespiliformis Hochst. ex A.D.C., Diospyros lycioides Desf., and Salvadora persica L. (miswak), honey and propolis from the manuka tree (Leptospermum scoparium J.R. Forst. & G. Forst.), rhein from Rheum rhabarbarum L. (rhubarb), dried fruits of Vitis vinifera
L. (raisins), essential oils, probiotics and mushrooms. Further, the
review highlights plants from Africa, Asia, Brazil, Mexico, Europe, and
the Middle East. Some of the plants’ antimicrobial properties and
chemical principles have been elucidated. While the use of natural
products for oral health is prominent in resource-poor settings,
antimicrobial testing is mainly conducted in the following countries (in
decreasing order of magnitude): India, South Africa, Brazil, Japan,
France, Egypt, Iran, Mexico, Kenya, Switzerland, Nigeria, Australia,
Uganda, and the United Kingdom. While the review exposes a dire gap for
more studies on clinical efficacy and toxicity, the following emerging
trend was noted: basic research on plants for oral health is mainly done
in Brazil, Europe and Australia. Brazil, China, India and New Zealand
generally conduct value addition of natural products for fortification
of toothpastes. African countries focus on bioprospecting and primary
production of raw plants and other natural products with antimicrobial
efficacies. The Middle East and Egypt predominantly research on plants
used as chewing sticks. More research and funding are needed in the
field of natural products for oral health, especially in Africa where
oral diseases are fuelled by human immunodeficiency virus/acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS).
Graphical abstract
This article reviews plants and other natural products used in oral health: Punica granatum L. (pomegranate), Matricaria recutita L. (chamomile), Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze (green tea), chewing sticks made from Diospyros mespiliformis Hochst. ex A.D.C., Diospyros lycioides Desf., and Salvadora persica L. (miswak), honey and propolis from the manuka tree (Leptospermum scoparium J.R. Forst. & G. Forst.), rhein from Rheum rhabarbarum L. (rhubarb), dried fruits of Vitis vinifera L. (raisins), essential oils, probiotics and mushrooms.
Keywords
- Plants;
- Natural products;
- Pathogens;
- Management;
- Improvement;
- Oral health
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