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Systematic Approach to Identify Novel Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Molecules from Plants' Extracts and Fractions to Prevent Dental Caries
Published on: March 31, 2021
Natural products in caries research: current (limited) knowledge, challenges and future perspective
J-G Jeon1, P L Rosalen, M L Falsetta
1Department of Preventive Dentistry, BK 21 Program, School of Dentistry and Institute of Oral Bioscience, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Republic of Korea.
Caries Research
|May 18, 2011
Summary
Dental caries, a prevalent infectious disease, is linked to virulent tooth biofilms. Natural products show promise for new anticaries therapies, but their effectiveness and mechanisms require further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Microbiology
- Dental Science
Background:
- Dental caries is the most common and expensive oral infectious disease globally.
- Virulent biofilms on teeth, characterized by exopolysaccharide matrix and low pH, drive caries pathogenesis.
- Current prevention relies on fluoride and broad-spectrum antimicrobials, but enhanced strategies are needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the potential of natural products as alternative or adjunctive anticaries agents.
- To identify gaps in current knowledge regarding natural products' efficacy and mechanisms against cariogenic biofilms.
- To propose a model for investigating natural products in anticaries chemotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on natural products and their activity against cariogenic factors.
- Analysis of existing studies on natural products' effects on biofilm formation, bacterial metabolism, and virulence.
- Identification of limitations in current research methodologies.
Main Results:
- Natural products offer diverse biological activities potentially useful for caries prevention.
- Many studies focus on general inhibition (e.g., glucan synthesis) rather than specific virulence factors in biofilms.
- The true value and mechanisms of natural products in caries prevention remain largely unknown.
Conclusions:
- Natural substances with potential activity against cariogenic organisms have been identified.
- Further research is needed to validate the efficacy and understand the mechanisms of natural products in anticaries therapies.
- A structured approach is required to investigate natural products for effective anticaries chemotherapy.
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