Potential Role of Medicinal Plants and their Phytochemicals Against Plaque Forming Oral Microbiota

Yashashree Pradhan¹, Hari Prasad Devkota² and Ahmad Ali^1*

¹Department of Life Sciences, University of Mumbai, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

²Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 5-1 Oe-honmachi, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto, Japan

Corresponding Author E-mail: ahmadali@mu.ac.in

DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.13005/bbra/3232

ABSTRACT: Dental plaque, a type of biofilm formed on the tooth surface, is one of the most common dental problems suffered by many individuals all over the world. Various mechanical methods are used to remove plaque and certain chemical agents are used for prevention from dental plaque formation. Though these agents have fast action, long term use of synthetic agents may cause certain side effects.  People around the world have been using medicinal plants for oral health care from hundreds of years. Some of such plants that are used in the prevention of dental plaques are Ocimum basilicum, Azadirachta indica, Syzygium aromaticum, Acacia nilotica and Achyranthes aspera. The essential oils and extracts of these plants contain many bioactive compounds like linalool, estragole, methyl-cinnamate, eugenol, nerol, Betulin, 3,12-oleandione, 1-Hexadecanol, Phytol, Cinnamaldehyde, β-caryophyllene, nimbin, azadirachtin, catechin and quercetin which act against dental plaque forming organisms. When these essential oils and extracts are tested in vitro as well as on some patients it showed major activities against major plaque forming organisms equivalent to the chemical agents used for prevention from plaque. Hence, in long term use the products containing bioactive compounds of Ocimum basilicum, Azadirachta indica, Syzygium aromaticum, Acacia nilotica and Achyranthes aspera may prove more effective as well as safe. This review deals with the mechanism of plaque formation, its treatment and role of Ocimum basilicum, Azadirachta indica, Syzygium aromaticum, Acacia nilotica and Achyranthes aspera and their major compounds in the prevention of plaque formation.

KEYWORDS: Acacia nilotica; Achyranthes aspera; Anti-plaque agents; Azadirachta indica; Ocimum basilicum; Syzygium aromaticum

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