Antibacterial Activity of Essential Oils and Their Isolated Constituents against Cariogenic Bacteria: A Systematic Review.
Dental caries remains the most prevalent and costly oral infectious disease worldwide. Several methods have been employed to prevent this biofilm-dependent disease, including the use of essential oils (EOs). In this systematic review, we discuss the antibacterial activity of EOs and their isolated constituents in view of a potential applicability in novel dental formulations. Seven databases were systematically searched for clinical trials, in situ, in vivo and in vitro studies addressing the topic published up to date. Most of the knowledge in the literature is based on in vitro studies assessing the effects of EOs on caries-related streptococci (mainly Streptococcus mutans) and lactobacilli, and on a limited number of clinical trials. The most promising species with antibacterial potential against cariogenic bacteria are: Achillea ligustica, Baccharis dracunculifolia, Croton cajucara, Cryptomeria japonica, Coriandrum sativum, Eugenia caryophyllata, Lippia sidoides, Ocimum americanum, and Rosmarinus officinalis. In some cases, the major phytochemical compounds determine the biological properties of EOs. Menthol and eugenol were considered outstanding compounds demonstrating an antibacterial potential. Only L. sidoides mouthwash (1%) has shown clinical antimicrobial effects against oral pathogens thus far. This review suggests avenues for further non-clinical and clinical studies with the most promising EOs and their isolated constituents bioprospected worldwide.
Department of Physiological Sciences, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, SP 13414-903, Brazil. irlan.almeida@gmail.com.
Irlan Almeida
IA
Freires
Department of Physiological Sciences, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, SP 13414-903, Brazil. dennycarina@hotmail.com.
Carina
C
Denny
Department of Physiological Sciences, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, SP 13414-903, Brazil. brunabenso@hotmail.com.
Bruna
B
Benso
Department of Agri-food Industry, Food and Nutrition, "Luiz de Queiroz" College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP 13418-260, Brazil. smalencar@usp.br.
Severino Matias
SM
de Alencar
Department of Physiological Sciences, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, SP 13414-903, Brazil. rosalen@fop.unicamp.br.
Pedro Luiz
PL
Rosalen
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D018441:Biofilms; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000187:drug effects; D032411:Lippia / Q000737:chemistry; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D064209:Phytochemicals / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D009067:Mouthwashes; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D064209:Phytochemicals; D010938:Plant Oils