Antibacterial Activity of Essential Oils and Their Isolated Constituents against Cariogenic Bacteria: A Systematic Review

Author(s)

Freires, Irlan Almeida ^[1] ; Denny, Carina ^[1] ; Benso, Bruna ^[1] ; de Alencar, Severino Matias ^[2] ; Rosalen, Pedro Luiz ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Campinas, Piracicaba Dent Sch, Dept Physiol Sci, BR-13414903 Piracicaba, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Agrifood Ind Food & Nutr, Luiz de Queiroz Coll Agr, BR-13418260 Piracicaba, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Review article
• Source: Molecules; v. 20, n. 4, p. 7329-7358, APR 2015.
• Web of Science Citations: 70

Abstract

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. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/14757-0 - Evaluation of antimicrobial activity of essential oils on oral pathogens
• Grantee: Pedro Luiz Rosalen
• Support type: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 11/15984-0 - Anti-Candida, antiproliferative and cytotoxic activities evaluation of essential oil and fractions from Coriandrum sativum L.
• Grantee: Irlan de Almeida Freires
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 13/25080-7 - Prevalence of strains of Streptococcus mutans expressing Cnm in children and adults, and the role of this glycoprotein in the pathogen-host interactions
• Grantee: Irlan de Almeida Freires
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate