E-ISSN:2456-3110

Review Article

Dentistry

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences

2025 Volume 10 Number 8 August
Publisherwww.maharshicharaka.in

Phytoextracts in Dentistry from Prevention to Therapy - A Review

Lakshmi J1*, BK Srivasta2, Eshwar S3, Bharadwaj A4, Suresh N5, Dhillan M6
DOI:10.21760/jaims.10.8.14

1* Lakshmi J, MDS Student 2nd Year, Department of Public Health Dentistry, KLES Institute of Dental Science, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

2 BK Srivasta, HOD and Professor, Department of Public Health Dentistry, KLES Institute of Dental Science, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

3 Shruthi Eshwar, Professor, Department of Public Health Dentistry, KLES Institute of Dental Science, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

4 Aarya Bharadwaj, Senior Lecturer, Department of Public Health Dentistry, KLES Institute of Dental Science, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

5 Nikhil Suresh, Senior Lecturer, Department of Public Health Dentistry, KLES Institute of Dental Science, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

6 Mathews Dhillan, Bachelor of Dental Surgery, Faculty of Dental Science, MS Ramaiah University, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

Dental diseases are major public health problems and are the most common cause of tooth loss in adults. However, every disease is preventable if diagnosed at the earliest and there are many ways for prevention of dental diseases like use of drugs, invasive and noninvasive techniques. The field of dentistry also has begun to exploit herbs as one of the cost-effective ways of prevention.

Phytomedicine may be defined as a medicine derived from plants in their original state and standardized for use in a dosage regimen. Some of the commonly available herbs are clove oil, green tea, turmeric, aloe-Vera, Triphala, neem, peppermint and oregano which exhibit excellent biological properties like- Antimicrobial agents, Anti-inflammatory agents, antioxidant and sedative. Plant extracts have the potential to act as prophylactic or therapeutic agents for soft tissue and hard tissue conditions. This review article explores the application of phytoextracts for dental disease prevention and emphasizes their integration within the framework of Evidence-Based Dentistry (EBD). Through a comprehensive literature search conducted on the PubMed database, this review synthesizes findings from various studies on phytoextracts, highlighting their potential in primary prevention methods in dentistry. It underscores the importance of EBD in validating the efficacy and safety of phytoextracts, ensuring that clinical practices are grounded in robust scientific evidence. This bird’s eye view of the current literature reveals a significant need for more rigorous and detailed research to fully harness the benefits of phytoextracts in dental care.

Keywords: Phytomedicine, Herbal extracts, Dentistry, Evidence Based Dentistry

Corresponding Author How to Cite this Article To Browse
Lakshmi J, MDS Student 2nd Year, Department of Public Health Dentistry, KLES Institute of Dental Science, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
Email: 		Lakshmi J, BK Srivasta, Eshwar S, Bharadwaj A, Suresh N, Dhillan M, Phytoextracts in Dentistry from Prevention to Therapy - A Review. J Ayu Int Med Sci. 2025;10(8):76-80.
Available From
https://jaims.in/jaims/article/view/4237/

Manuscript Received Review Round 1 Review Round 2 Review Round 3 Accepted
2025-06-12 2025-06-27 2025-07-07 2025-07-17 2025-07-27
Conflict of Interest Funding Ethical Approval Plagiarism X-checker Note
None Nil Not required 10.62

© 2025 by Lakshmi J, BK Srivasta, Eshwar S, Bharadwaj A, Suresh N, Dhillan M and Published by Maharshi Charaka Ayurveda Organization. This is an Open Access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ unported [CC BY 4.0].

J Ayu Int Med Sci 2025;10(8)76
Download PDFBack To ArticleIntroductionMethodologyResultsConclusionReferences
Lakshmi J et al. Phytoextracts in Dentistry from Prevention to Therapy

Introduction

Phytomedicine can be defined as the herbal medicine with therapeutic and healing properties. Since the beginning of human society, it has existed. Dating back to approximately 3000 BC, the Sheng Nongs Herbal Book is regarded as one of the earliest collections of traditional folk knowledge in China pertaining to the usage of herbs. It includes information on about 365 different types of plants, animals, and minerals that are used in medicine. There are around 420,000 different species of plants on Earth, but little is known about them and their many applications.[1] Herbal preparations and products find extensive use in three main fields: food (foodstuffs), medicine (traditional and folk remedies), and research (phytochemical analysis). Currently, exploration and application of phyto-medicine in dentistry have resumed due to increased interest in natural and holistic approaches to healthcare. They are used for both prevention and treatment of several oral health issues like canker sores, gum inflammation, and tooth decay due to their various effect like anti-inflammatory, anticariogenic, antiseptics, antibacterial, anti-microbial, anti-fungal, antioxidant, antiviral, and analgesic Additionally, they promote sustainability in healthcare practices because they are more environmentally friendly and have least side effect. Despite these benefits, integration of phytomedicine into traditional dentistry faces several challenges like efficacy, interactions, variations in the quantities of bioactive ingredients, and standardization of plant extracts. The goal of this review is to present a thorough summary of current uses of phytomedicine in dentistry. It summarizes research results on preventative, analgesic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties of substances derived from plants in treatment of oral health. The review also addresses future prospects and possible obstacles for this field of study. This review aims to encourage additional research and use of natural substances in dentistry by showcasing therapeutic potential of phytomedicine. This will ultimately lead to development of safer and more efficient oral healthcare solutions.

Methodology

A comprehensive literature search was conducted to gather relevant studies on the application of phytomedicine in dentistry.

PubMed database were used and the search terms used included "phytomedicine," "dentistry," "herbal medicine," "oral health," "natural compounds" The search strategy involved combining these keywords using Boolean operators (AND, OR) to ensure a thorough and comprehensive search. The search was limited to articles published in English which was available as free full article and only meta-analysis and systematic review were considered within the last 10 years (from 2014 to 2024) to capture the most recent advancements in the field.

Results

Resurgence of Phytomedicine use in Dentistry

As new, mostly viral diseases emerge that are resistant to conventional antibiotics, mainstream medicine is becoming more and more open to the use of antimicrobials and other medications derived from plants. The quick extinction of (plant) species has been another factor in the past 20 years that has sparked interest in plant antimicrobials.[2] Natural-products chemists and microbiologists sometimes believe that a large number of potentially valuable phytochemical structures that may be chemically synthesized could be lost forever.[3] Finally, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has prompted extensive research on plant derivatives that may be useful, particularly for usage in developing and underdeveloped countries with limited access to pricy western medications.

Classification of Phytochemicals

Useful antimicrobial phytochemicals can be divided into several classes[4]

Table 1: Classification of phytoextracts

CategoryProperties
Simple Phenols & Phenolic AcidsPhenolic ring with substitutions.
QuinonesAromatic rings with two ketone substitutions
Flavones, Flavonoids & FlavonolsPhenolic compounds with one carbonyl group (flavones); addition of a 3-hydroxyl group produces flavonols. Flavonoids have an aromatic ring attached to C6–C3 unit.
Tannins & CoumarinsPhenolic substances; tannins are polymeric, while coumarins consist of fused benzene and pyrone rings
Terpenoids/Essential OilsHigh concentration of molecules with isoprene structure. Terpenoids are terpenes with additional components, typically oxygen.
AlkaloidsHeterocyclic nitrogen compounds.
Lectins/Antimicrobial PeptidesOften positively charged and contain disulphide bridges.

J Ayu Int Med Sci 2025;10(8)77
Lakshmi J et al. Phytoextracts in Dentistry from Prevention to Therapy

Plant-Derived Substances in Oral Care Products

Nowadays, there is interest in using natural antibacterial compounds as effective antimicrobials in a variety of oral health care products. To improve their antibacterial qualities, extracts from plants such as miswak, tea tree oil, peppermint, green tea, and manuka honey have lately been added to these kinds of goods. Table 2 describes various herbal products which are commonly used in dentistry for prevention and therapy

Table 2: Various herbal products commonly used in dentistry for prevention and therapy

Herbal ProductSourceDental UseMode of Action
Aloe VeraAloe barbadensisTreatment of oral ulcers, gingivitis, periodontitisAnti-inflammatory, antibacterial, promotes wound healing[5]
NeemAzadirachta indicaAntiplaque agent, treatment of gingivitisAntibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory[6]
Green TeaCamellia sinensisPrevention of dental caries, periodontal diseaseAntioxidant, anti-inflammatory, inhibits bacterial growth[7,8]
Clove OilSyzygium aromaticumRelief of dental pain, treatment of dry socketAnalgesic, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory[8]
Licorice RootGlycyrrhiza glabraPrevention of caries, gingivitisAntimicrobial, anti-inflammatory
TurmericCurcuma longaTreatment of periodontitis, oral cancer preventionAnti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial[10]
Tea Tree OilMelaleuca alternifoliaTreatment of gingivitis, bad breathAntimicrobial, anti-inflammatory[11]
PeppermintMentha piperitaRelief of toothache, freshening breathAnalgesic, antiseptic, mild antibacterial[12]
MyrrhCommiphora myrrhaTreatment of mouth ulcers, gingivitisAntimicrobial, astringent, anti-inflammatory[13]
SageSalvia officinalisTreatment of gingivitis, sore throatAntibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory[14]
CranberryVaccinium macrocarponPrevention of plaque formation, periodontal diseaseInhibits bacterial adhesion to teeth and gums[15]
GingerZingiber officinaleTreatment of dental pain, inflammationAnti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial[16]
PropolisBee resinTreatment of oral ulcers, periodontitisAntimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, promotes healing[17]
EucalyptusEucalyptus globulusRelief of dental pain, treatment of gingAntimicrobial, Antibacterial[8]
HoneyApis melliferaWound healing, treatment of oral ulcers, burnsAntibacterial, anti-inflammatory, promotes tissue regeneration[18]
Chewing StickSalvadora persica (Miswak)Mechanical plaque control, gingivitis preventionAntibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, mechanical cleaning action[19,20,21]
TriphalaEmblica officinalis, Terminalia chebula, Terminalia belliricaTreatment of gingivitis, prevention of dental cariesAntibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory[22-24]

Side Effects and Safety Issues Related to Phytomedicines Used in Dentistry

Table 3: Side Effects of Some Phytomedicines

PhytomedicineSide Effect
Green teaRestlessness, irritability, sleeping problems, tremor, heart palpitations, loss of appetite, upset stomach, nausea, frequent urination, and skin rash.
Curcuma longaNausea and diarrhoea. When applied to the skin, turmeric can cause irritation and allergic contact dermatitis reactions.
Azadirachta indicaDermatitis
Aloe veraAllergic contact dermatitis, oral mucositis

Table 4: Toxicities of Some Phytomedicines

PhytomedicineToxicities
Jin bu huan poisoningBradycardia
Ginkgo BilboEpileptic seizures
Melaleuca alternifolia (Myrtaceae)Ataxia, unresponsiveness, drowsiness, hypersensitivity reactions and allergic contact dermatitis

The majority of the research discussed above evaluated the effectiveness of goods made from plant-derived ingredients.

However, it's also important to consider the items' safety and any drawbacks. Several investigations have found some side effects, including lung toxicities, dermatitis, hypersensitivity, and cardiovascular toxicities. It is advised to use caution when utilizing phytomedicines due to the potential for negative interactions between their formulations and conventional pharmaceuticals. Additional clinical research is also necessary. Table 2 and 3shows the adverse effects and toxicities of few Phytomedicines.[25]

Conclusion

Worldwide, the use of plant-based medicine is rapidly expanding. Nowadays, a large number of people in many national health care systems use phytomedicines for their medical needs. There is strong evidence that plant extracts, essential oils, and purified phytochemicals have the potential to be employed in different forms as therapeutic or preventative therapies for oral disorders, as shown by the examples in this study.


J Ayu Int Med Sci 2025;10(8)78
Lakshmi J et al. Phytoextracts in Dentistry from Prevention to Therapy

Although the number of clinical trials for these products is encouraging, more research on the effectiveness and side effects of these agents is necessary to determine their therapeutic benefits, either on their own or in conjunction with traditional therapies, which can help to lower the overall burden of oral diseases globally. As a result, these might be regarded as miracle plants that help alleviate human suffering.

References

1. Srivastava A, Srivastava P, Pandey A, Khanna VK, Pant AB. Phytomedicine. In: New Look to Phytomedicine [Internet]. Elsevier; 2019 [cited 2024 Aug 8]. p. 625–55. Available from: [Article][Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar]

2. Lewis WH, Elvin-Lewis MPF. Medical botany: plants affecting human health. 2nd ed. Hoboken (NJ): Wiley; 2003. 812 p [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar]

3. Borris RP. Natural products research: perspectives from a major pharmaceutical company. J Ethnopharmacol. 1996 Apr;51(1–3):29–38. [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar]

4. Cowan MM. Plant products as antimicrobial agents. Clin Microbiol Rev. 1999 Oct;12(4):564–82. [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar]

5. Pradeep AR, Agarwal E, Naik SB. Clinical and microbiologic effects of commercially available dentifrice containing Aloe vera: a randomized controlled clinical trial. J Periodontol. 2012 Jun;83(6):797–804. [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar]

6. Okeke A. Three-minute herbal treatment to reduce dental caries with a Newbouldia laevis based extract. Am J Undergrad Res [Internet]. 2003 Sep 17 [cited 2024 Aug 8];2(2). Available from: [Article][Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar]

7. Narotzki B, Reznick AZ, Aizenbud D, Levy Y. Green tea: a promising natural product in oral health. Arch Oral Biol. 2012 May;57(5):429–35. [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar]

8. Allaker RP, Douglas CWI. Novel anti-microbial therapies for dental plaque-related diseases. Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2009 Jan;33(1):8–13. [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar]

9. Tharakan A, Pawar M, Kale S. Effectiveness of licorice in preventing dental caries in children: a systematic review. J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent. 2020;38(4):325. [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar]

10. Sood S, Nagpal M. Role of curcumin in systemic and oral health: an overview. J Nat Sci Biol Med. 2013;4(1):3. [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar]

11. Soukoulis S, Hirsch R. The effects of a tea tree oil‐containing gel on plaque and chronic gingivitis. Aust Dent J. 2004 Jun;49(2):78–83. [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar]

12. Fayed MAA. Mentha piperita L. - a promising dental care herb mainly against cariogenic bacteria. Univers J Pharm Res [Internet]. 2019 Jul 9 [cited 2024 Aug 8]; Available from: [Article][Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar]

13. Batiha GES, Wasef L, Teibo JO, Shaheen HM, Zakariya AM, Akinfe OA, et al. Commiphora myrrh: a phytochemical and pharmacological update. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 2023 Mar;396(3):405–20. [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar]

14. Narayanan N, Thangavelu L. Salvia officinalis in dentistry. Dent Hypotheses. 2015;6(1):27. [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar]

15. Philip N, Walsh LJ. Cranberry polyphenols: natural weapons against dental caries. Dent J. 2019 Mar 1;7(1):20. [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar]

16. Menon P, Perayil J, Fenol A, Rajan Peter M, Lakshmi P, Suresh R. Effectiveness of ginger on pain following periodontal surgery – a randomized cross-over clinical trial. J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2021 Jan;12(1):65–9. [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar]

17. López-Valverde N, Pardal-Peláez B, López-Valverde A, Flores-Fraile J, Herrero-Hernández S, Macedo-de-Sousa B, et al. Effectiveness of propolis in the treatment of periodontal disease: updated systematic review with meta-analysis. Antioxidants. 2021 Feb 10;10(2):269. [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar]

18. Nayak P, Nayak U, Mythili R. Effect of Manuka honey, chlorhexidine gluconate and xylitol on the clinical levels of dental plaque. Contemp Clin Dent. 2010;1(4):214. [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar]


J Ayu Int Med Sci 2025;10(8)79
Lakshmi J et al. Phytoextracts in Dentistry from Prevention to Therapy

19. Wu CD, Darout IA, Skaug N. Chewing sticks: timeless natural toothbrushes for oral cleansing. J Periodontal Res. 2001 Oct;36(5):275–84. [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar]

20. Rotimi VO, Laughon BE, Bartlett JG, Mosadomi HA. Activities of Nigerian chewing stick extracts against Bacteroides gingivalis and Bacteroides melaninogenicus. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1988 Apr;32(4):598–600. [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar]

21. Noumi E, Snoussi M, Hajlaoui H, Valentin E, Bakhrouf A. Antifungal properties of Salvadora persica and Juglans regia L. extracts against oral Candida strains. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2010 Jan;29(1):81–8 [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar]

22. Srinagesh J, Krishnappa P, Somanna S. Antibacterial efficacy of triphala against oral streptococci: an in vivo study. Indian J Dent Res. 2012;23(5):696. [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar]

23. Maurya DK, Mittal N, Sharma KR, Nath G. Role of triphala in the management of periodontal disease. Anc Sci Life. 1997 Oct;17(2):120–7. [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar]

24. Jagtap AG, Karkera SG. Potential of the aqueous extract of Terminalia chebula as an anticaries agent. J Ethnopharmacol. 1999 Dec;68(1–3):299–306. [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar]

25. Emerging trends of herbal care in dentistry. J Clin Diagn Res [Internet]. 2013 [cited 2024 Aug 8];7(8):1827. Available from: http://www. jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2013&volume=7&issue=8&page=1827&issn=0973-709x&id=3282 [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar]

Disclaimer / Publisher's Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of Journals and/or the editor(s). Journals and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content.


J Ayu Int Med Sci 2025;10(8)80