Using morin as an adjunct for periodontal treatment

Dental Tribune International

Mon. 13. October 2025

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SÃO PAULO, Brazil: Plant-derived therapies are attracting growing interest in dentistry. A recent study evaluated morin, a naturally occurring flavonoid found in fruits, vegetables, some herbs and other plants, for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial effects against periodontal pathogens. Tested alone and in a slow-release polymer formulation, morin demonstrated enhanced activity that could support non-surgical periodontal therapy and offer an alternative to antibiotics in managing periodontal infections.

Despite widespread reliance on adjunctive local antibiotics to manage residual periodontal pockets and furcation sites, their benefits are transient, and the growing threat of antibiotic resistance is eroding their clinical value. This reliance highlights the need to explore non-antibiotic adjuncts that can enhance treatment outcomes and long-term stability in periodontitis care.

Testing morin in the laboratory

Seeking to harness its natural properties for the prevention and treatment of dental caries and periodontal disease, researchers at the Araraquara dental school at São Paulo State University tested morin using an in vitro multispecies biofilm model that mimicked the effects of periodontitis on gingival tissue. Lead author Dr Luciana Solera Sales, a researcher in the department of morphology and paediatric clinical medicine at the university, explained in a press release that dietary intake of morin through fruit is insufficient for therapeutic effects.

In the study, both morin alone and its polymer-based formulation significantly reduced inflammatory markers, lowered oxidative stress and decreased the activity of key cytokine genes. In addition, both reduced microbial survival and biofilm biomass.

Overcoming delivery challenges

Although promising, natural compounds such as morin face challenges in oral application owing to poor water solubility and rapid clearance by saliva. To address this, Dr Sales developed and tested morin oral delivery systems in various forms during her PhD research, ultimately creating a fine powder resembling powdered milk that can be incorporated into a variety of oral hygiene products. “I prepared a solution containing sodium alginate and gellan gum to encapsulate morin in a controlled-release system, which is already widely used for drugs but isn’t yet widely used in dentistry,” Dr Sales commented.

“This controlled release also helps us control the toxicity and stability of the substance,” explained co-author Dr Fernanda Lourenção Brighenti, also a researcher in the department. She also emphasised the potential value of this polymer-based formulation for people with limited motor skills, such as older adults or patients with special needs, who often face difficulties with plaque control.

Towards clinical application

By testing morin for periodontal treatment, the researchers sought to create an alternative that avoids the side effects of existing adjunctive products, such as altered taste, increased calculus formation and tooth staining. Early results are promising not only for reducing biofilm growth but also potentially for avoiding tooth discoloration.

“We observed with the naked eye that the in vitro biofilm treated with morin in the laboratory is less stained than when treated in its free form. So, it’s possible that there’s an advantage, that this system helps prevent tooth discoloration. We also need to test, for example, whether morin maintains the balance of the oral cavity, because we don’t want to eliminate all bacteria from patients’ mouths,” Dr Brighenti concluded.

The study, titled “Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial evaluation of morin”, was published online in the October 2025 issue of Archives of Oral Biology.