STM Journals Peer-reviewed research from Consortium e-Learning Network

Emerging Trends in Metabolites Review Article

Plant Bioactive Metabolites and Their Role in the Prevention and Control of Dental Diseases and Infections.

  1. Prikshit Rampal 1* Department of Physiotherapy, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar
  2. Mukesh Chander1 Bioprocess Laboratory, P.G. Department of BioTechnology, Khalsa College (Autonomous), Amritsar

Abstract

The oral diseases, including dental caries and periodontitis, affect masses worldwide, and have historically been managed with synthetic antimicrobials that cause deleterious side effects, leading to mounting bacterial resistance. Consequently, contemporary dentistry is rapidly shifting toward phytomedicine using plant bioactive molecules, such as polyphenols, terpenes, anthraquinones (berberin, eugenol, curcumin, catechins, allicin, and azadirachtin. These compounds offer potent antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and tissue-regenerative properties that are crucial for preventing and curing dental pathologies. For disease prevention, phytochemicals actively disrupt microbial homeostasis before infections can fully establish. Extracts from plants like Curcuma sp., Zingiber officinale (ginger) and Aloe vera prevent dental caries by directly inhibiting the growth, biofilm formation, and acidogenic metabolism of Streptococcus mutans by neutralizing bacterial quorum sensing, disrupting extracellular matrix synthesis, and physically preventing pathogens from adhering to the dental enamel. Furthermore, non-abrasive Aloe vera tooth gels exhibit remineralization capacity equivalent for that of standard fluoride formulations, to decay progression. In aid of curative dentistry, plant molecules may be integrated with advanced clinical technologies. In operative dentistry, Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy utilizing the natural photosensitizer aloe-emodin achieves near-total disinfection of carious-affected dentin, thereby performing conventional chlorhexidine while actively enhancing micromechanical bond strength and resin tag infiltration of restorative adhesives and curing periodontitis. The green tea extracts resolves chronic gingival destruction by aggressively downregulating host pro-inflammatory cascades and promoting tissue regeneration. In endodontics, natural extracts allow antimicrobial irritants to deeply penetrate complex root canal anatomies and eradicate highly resistant biofilms. Translating these therapeutic successes into predictable clinical cures requires overcoming the low aqueous solubility and rapid metabolic degradation of natural compounds to achieve highly sustainable protocols to prevent and cure oral diseases.

Keywords

References (61)

  1. Gawish AS, ElMofty MS, Jambi S, Felemban D, Ragheb YS, Elsayed SA. Phytotherapy in periodontics as an effective and sustainable supplemental treatment: a narrative review. Journal of Periodontal & Implant Science. 2024;54(4):209. doi:10.5051/jpis.2301420071
  2. Almutairi B. (2025). Aloe-Emodin activated by Photodynamic therapy and diode laser on carious affected dentin and survival of S. mutans. An-invitro SEM
  3. assessment. Photodiagnosis and photodynamic therapy, 53, 104611. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pdpdt.2025.104611
  4. Inchingolo, F., Inchingolo, A. D., Latini, G., Trilli, I., Ferrante, L., Nardelli, P., Malcangi, G., Inchingolo, A. M., Mancini, A., Palermo, A., & Dipalma, G. (2024). The Role of Curcumin in Oral Health and Diseases: A Systematic Review. Antioxidants, 13(6), 660 . https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox1306066024
  5. Singh, S., Kapoor, S., Chander, M., & Gill, P. K. (2022). Recent Update on Serum Alkaline and Acid Phosphatases in Pre- and Postoperative Breast Cancer Patients. Sudan Journal of Medical Sciences. 17, 1. ISSN: 1858-5051. https://doi.org.10.18502/ sjms.v17i1.10686
  6. Kumar, R., Salwan, R., Sharma, N., Singh, A., Kumari, D., Singh, R., Chander, M. (2026). Anticancer Potential and Other Therapeutic Activities of Curcumin & Its Derivatives. Emerging Trends in Metabolites. 2026; 3(1), 19–28p.
  7. Pradeep, P., Thomas, A. R., Kaur, K., Samson, R. S., Mayya, A., Adiga, S., & Nagraj, S. K. (2024). Herbal medicines to prevent dental caries. The Cochrane
  8. Database of Systematic reviews, 2024(5), CD015832. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD015832
  9. Khurshid, Z., Zafar, M. S., Zohaib, S., Najeeb, S., & Naseem, M. (2016). Green Tea (Camellia Sinensis): Chemistry and Oral Health. The Open Dentistry
  10. Journal, 10, 166. https://doi.org/10.2174/1874210601610010166
  11. Chander, M. and Rampal, P. 2025. Comprehensive Biotechnology-Bioprocessing & Human Welfare Vol. 1. Inkscribe Publishing Pvt. Ltd. Sivaganga, Tamil Nadu, India, 630002, ISBN: 978-1-969259-65-4
  12. Zeng, C., Jiang, W., Liu, C., Yu, R., Li, Y., Li, P., & Cao, Y. (2025). Inhibitory effects of berberine against Streptococcus mutans: An in vitro insight on its anticaries
  13. potential. MicrobiologySpectrum, 13(9), e00700-25. https://doi.org/10.1128/spectrum.00700-25
  14. Zhou Y, Liu Z, Wen J, Zhou Y, Lin H. The inhibitory effect of berberine chloride hydrate on Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation at different pH values. Microbiology Spectrum. 2023;11(5). doi:10.1128/spectrum.02170-23
  15. Dipali, V. M., Khuspe, P. R., Pranjali, K., Trushali, M., & Pravin, D. 2025. The impact of herbal and natural products in managing oral health: A pharmacological
  16. perspective. IP International Journal of Comprehensive and Advanced Pharmacology. 10 (1), 22–33
  17. AL-Ghurabi, B.H. (2024) Antimicrobial Effect of Aloe Vera and Ginger in Dental Caries and Periodontal Disease. Journal of Biomol Research & Therapeutics. 13,
  18. 394-401. https://doi.org/10.35248/2167-7956.24.13.394-1
  19. Abu-Seida , A.M., & Seif, H. 2023. Aloe vera in dentistry: Current status and future prospects. International Arab Journal of Dentistry. 14 (2), 18.
  20. https://doi.org.10.70174/iajd.v14i2.943
  21. Kumar, R., Salwan, R., & Chander, M. (2023). The Synthesis of Medicinally Important Pharma Molecules from Carbohydrate Building Blocks. International
  22. Journal of Novel Research and Development. 8 (5): e138-148. https://ijnrd.org/viewpaperforall.php?paper=IJNRD2305414
  23. Sharma, E., Chander, M., & Kaur, K. 2024. Diagnosis Management & Treatment of Urinary Tract Infections: A Recent Perspective. International Journal of Current Research Academic Reviews. 12(8), 11-34. doi: https://doi.org/10. 20546/ ijcrar.
  24. 2024.1208.002
  25. Chander, M., & Kaur, J. (2024). Aquatic Ecosystems: A Review on Prospecting of Anticancer Molecules from Fungi & Other Microbes. International Journal of Fungi. 1 (2). https://journals. stmjournals. com/ ijf/article=2024 / view=17216925
  26. Batiha, G. E. S., Alkazmi, L. M., Wasef, L. G., Beshbishy, A. M., Nadwa, E. H., & Rashwan, E. K. (2020). Syzygium aromaticum L. (Myrtaceae): Traditional Uses,
  27. Bioactive Chemical Constituents, Pharmacological and Toxicological activities. Biomolecules, 10(2), 202 . https://doi.org/10.3390/biom10020202
  28. Cortés-Rojas DF, de Souza CRF, Oliveira WP. Clove (Syzygium aromaticum): a precious spice. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine. 2014;4(2):90-96. doi:10.1016/s2221-1691(14)60215-x
  29. Varghese RM. Antibacterial activity of herbal formulation against common oral pathogens. Bioinformation. 2023;19(5):663-669. doi:10.6026/97320630019663
  30. Chander, M., Kaur, R. & Rampal, P. 2025. Biotherapeutics: The Healing Properties of Bio-Active Molecules of Microbial Origin. Chyren Publication, New Delhi, India. ISBN- 978-93-7143-442-3.
  31. Chang, H.-S., & Choi, I. (2012). Antimicrobial Activities of Medicinal Herb Extracts. Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition. 41 (2), 261-
  32. https://doi.org/10.3746/jkfn.2012.41.2.261
  33. Parham S, Kharazi AZ, Bakhsheshi-Rad HR, Nur H, Ismail AF, Sharif S, et al. Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Antiviral Properties of Herbal Materials. Antioxidants. 2020;9(12):1309. doi:10.3390/antiox9121309
  34. Tatiya AU, Anil PP. A Comprehensive Review on the Role of Natural Plants in Anti-Bacterial Activity. Journal of Drug Delivery and Therapeutics. 2025;15(7):116-125. doi:10.22270/jddt.v15i7.7200
  35. Saquib, S. A., AlQahtani, N. A., Ahmad, I., Kader, M. A., Al Shahrani, S. S., & Asiri, E. A. (2019). Evaluation and Comparison of Antibacterial Efficacy of Herbal
  36. Extracts in Combination with Antibiotics on Periodontal pathobionts: An in vitro Microbiological Study. Antibiotics, 8(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics8030089
  37. Yun, S. E., Nam, S. H., & Kim, G. C. (2023). Antimicrobial Effects of Edible Mixed Herbal Extracts on Oral Microorganisms: An In Vitro Study. Medicina, 59(10).
  38. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina59101771
  39. Anwar, M.A., Sayed, G.A., Hal, D.M. et al. (2025). Herbal remedies for oral and dental health: a comprehensive review of their multifaceted mechanisms including
  40. antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant pathways. Inflammopharmacol. 33, 1085–1160. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10787-024-01631-8
  41. Gloria-Garza, M. A., Reyna-Martínez, G. R., Jiménez-Salas, Z., Campos-Góngora, E., Kačániová, M., Aguirre-Cavazos, D. E., Bautista-Villarreal, M., Leos-Rivas, C.,
  42. Gloria-Garza MA, Reyna-Martínez GR, Jiménez-Salas Z, Campos-Góngora E, Kačániová M, Aguirre-Cavazos DE, et al. Medicinal Plants Against Dental Caries: Research and Application of Their Antibacterial Properties. Plants. 2025;14(9):1390. doi:10.3390/plants14091390
  43. Chander, M 2025. Fungal-derived Nutraceuticals & Bioactive Compounds with Physiotherapeutic and Health- promoting Properties: A Comprehensive Review.
  44. International Journal of Fungi. 2 (2). https://journals.stmjournals.com/ijf/article=2025/view=228797
  45. Ham Y, Kim TJ. Plant Extracts Inhibiting Biofilm Formation by Streptococcus mutans without Antibiotic Activity. Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology. 2018;46(6):692-702. doi:10.5658/wood.2018.46.6.692
  46. Basilicata, M., Lauro, M. D., Campolattano, V., Marrone, G., Celotto, R., Mitterhofer, A. P., Bollero, P., Daniele, N. D., & Noce, A. (2022). Natural Bioactive
  47. Compounds in the Management of Oral Diseases in Nephropathic Patients. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(3) . https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph1903166
  48. Chander, M. (2024). Rauwolfia serpentina: A Comprehensive Phytochemical Study of Its Bioactive Metabolites. Emerging Trends in Metabolites. 1(2),
  49. 14–40. https://journals.stmjournals.com/etm/ article=2024/view=170249
  50. Kebede T, Gadisa E, Tufa A. (2021). Antimicrobial activities evaluation and phytochemical screening of some selected medicinal plants: A possible alternative in
  51. the treatment of multidrug-resistant microbes. PLoS ONE 16(3): e0249253. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0249253
  52. Somantri, R.U. (2022). In vitro study on the antimicrobial activity of eleven essential oils against oral cavity microbiota. IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci. 1063 012025
  53. Chander, M., Paul, M. 2025. Therapeutic & Diagnostic Applications of Biosurfactants of Microbial Origin. International Journal for Multidisciplinary
  54. Research. 7 (1): 1-25.. https://doi.org.10.36948/ijfmr.2025. v07i04. 50288
  55. Budala, D. G., Martu, M. A., Maftei, G. A., Diaconu-Popa, D. A., Danila, V., & Luchian, I. (2023). The Role of Natural Compounds in Optimizing Contemporary
  56. Dental Treatment—Current Status and Future Trends. Journal of Functional Biomaterials, 14(5), 273. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb14050273
  57. Kumar, H., Singh, R., Dhanjal, D.S., Chopra, C., Martins, N.C., Gheyath K., et al. (2024). Impact of phytoconstituents on oral health practices: a post-COVID-19
  58. observation, Food Science and Human Wellness. 13 (5) 2386-2400, https://doi.org/10.26599/FSHW.2022.9250197
  59. Arzani V, Soleimani M, Fritsch T, Jacob UM, Calabrese V, Arzani A. Plant polyphenols, terpenes, and terpenoids in oral health. Open Medicine. 2025;20(1). doi:10.1515/med-2025-1183
  60. El-Saadony, M. T., Saad, A. M., Mohammed, D. M., Korma, S. A., et al. (2025). Medicinal plants: Bioactive compounds, biological activities, combating
  61. multidrug-resistant microorganisms, and human health benefits - a comprehensive review. Frontiers in Immunology, 16, 1491777. https://doi.org/10.3389/ fimmu.2025