Study tests anti-biofilm efficacy of various plant extracts

Dental Tribune International

Mon. 11. November 2024

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SALÉ, Morocco: Concerns about the potential cytotoxicity and environmental impact of conventional root canal irrigants have prompted the exploration of alternative, natural agents with anti-biofilm properties. To this end, a recent systematic literature review by researchers from the International University of Rabat in Morocco assessed the anti-biofilm efficacy of various plant extracts as root canal irrigants, revealing their potential for combating these biofilms.

Out of 78 articles identified from the systematic database search, eight met the inclusion criteria, including evaluating at least one plant extract and one conventional root canal irrigant against endodontic biofilms. The eligible studies examined 12 different extracts from ten plants against eight single-species biofilms and one multispecies biofilm.

The findings showed that Psidium cattleianum (strawberry guava) and Psidium guajava (common guava) demonstrated superior anti-biofilm activity compared with chlorhexidine and sodium hypochlorite (NaClO). Similarly, Allium sativum (garlic) showed comparable efficacy to NaClO. Furthermore, a blend of Cymbopogon martinii (palmarosa) essential oil and NaClO exhibited enhanced anti-biofilm effects against multispecies biofilms compared with each agent used alone. Extracts of Mikania glomerata Sprengel, Salvadora persica (miswak), Camellia sinensis (green tea) and Vitis vinifera (grape seed) displayed anti-biofilm properties, but were generally less effective than conventional irrigants.

The review indicates that certain plant extracts possess qualities that promise to combat endodontic biofilms. It also suggests that combining plant extracts with conventional agents such as NaClO may further enhance anti-biofilm effectiveness. However, the authors cautioned that further research is needed to optimise these combinations and to evaluate their clinical applicability and safety.

The study contributes to the growing body of evidence supporting the use of natural compounds in endodontic therapy, which offer potential benefits regarding biocompatibility and environmental sustainability.

The study, titled “Antibiofilm efficacy of plant extracts as root canal irrigants in endodontics: A systematic literature review”, was published online on 24 October 2024 in Frontiers in Dental Medicine.