Can jua be a weapon in combating oral diseases?
Jua (or Joazeiro) is a plant that has been used in Brazil as a folk remedy for many diseases, but mostly as a dentifrice. Several scientific investigations have been conducted in Brazil to examine the therapeutic use of Jua for oral health. This article presents information about the Ziziphus joazeiro plant, its medicinal use, and its chemical components while also reviewing the literature concerning Jua and especially its anti-plaque activity. Although Joazeiro has been investigated, more studies must be performed to better understand these Jua compounds, their antimicrobial activity, and their mechanism of action. Such studies would confirm whether Joazeiro has the potential to fight or prevent diseases like dental caries and periodontitis.
Marquette University-School of Dentistry, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.
Joana Marreiro
JM
Singh
Andrew
A
Dentino
James S
JS
Maki
D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000188:drug therapy; D003802:Dentifrices / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D024301:Plant Bark / Q000737:chemistry*; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D031957:Ziziphus / Q000737:chemistry*
D003802:Dentifrices; D028321:Plant Preparations