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Natural Products and Drug Delivery Systems in Dental Diseases
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Natural Products and Drug Delivery Systems in Dental Diseases

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 June 2026 | Viewed by 3932

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Rafael Scaf De Molon

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
Department of Diagnostic and Surgery, School of Dentistry at Araraquara, University Estadual Paulista-UNESP, Araraquara 14801-903, SP, Brazil
Interests: nanoparticles; wound healing; inorganic nanoparticles; drug delivery systems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Periodontal diseases, including gingivitis and periodontitis, are among the most prevalent chronic inflammatory conditions affecting humans, with significant implications for oral and systemic health. Periodontitis, in particular, leads to the progressive destruction of the supporting structures of the teeth and is associated with systemic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. Conventional periodontal therapies, while effective in controlling infection, often fall short in achieving complete resolution of inflammation or regeneration of periodontal tissues.

Small molecules, biologics, and natural compounds, especially those derived from medicinal plants that have the potential to modulate key signaling pathways, have emerged as promising adjuncts or alternatives in periodontal therapy due to their anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and tissue-regenerative properties. Concurrently, advancements in drug-delivery systems have enabled targeted and sustained release of therapeutic agents directly into periodontal pockets, enhancing clinical outcomes while minimizing systemic side effects.

This Special Issue invites contributions exploring the integration of natural compounds, biologics, small molecules or other adjunctive therapies, and innovative drug-delivery technologies in the management of periodontitis and related conditions. We welcome original research, systematic and narrative reviews, brief reviews, and translational studies that address new therapeutic strategies, mechanisms of action, signaling pathways, and clinical applications, with the goal of advancing personalized and effective approaches for periodontal care.

Dr. Rafael Scaf De Molon
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • periodontitis
  • natural products
  • anti-inflammatory therapy
  • local drug delivery
  • gingival inflammation
  • regenerative periodontics
  • nanotechnology in dentistry
  • herbal medicine
  • antimicrobial agents
  • oral microbiome modulation
  • signaling pathways

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Review

31 pages, 2918 KB  
Review
Application and Potential of Local Drug Delivery Systems for Antibacterial Treatment of Periodontitis
by Xinchao Wang, Fengli Wu, Jia Liu, Xingqi Hong and Shujun Dong
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(7), 2983; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27072983 - 25 Mar 2026
Viewed by 762
Abstract
Periodontitis (PD) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the progressive destruction of periodontal supporting tissues. As one of the most prevalent chronic diseases, PD affects more than 743 million people globally, some with serious systemic health implications. Plaque accumulation constitutes the key [...] Read more.
Periodontitis (PD) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the progressive destruction of periodontal supporting tissues. As one of the most prevalent chronic diseases, PD affects more than 743 million people globally, some with serious systemic health implications. Plaque accumulation constitutes the key driver of periodontitis, initiating host inflammatory cascades and compromising periodontal microbiome equilibrium. Conventional treatment methods, such as scaling and root planing, are limited by a constrained operative field, resulting in blind spots that impede the complete eradication of bacterial biofilms and the modulation of the inflammatory microenvironment. Therefore, employing new therapeutic strategies (e.g., drug delivery systems) is essential. This review focuses on local drug delivery systems for the treatment of PD, including fibers, strips and films, microspheres, gels, nanoparticles, and vesicle systems, to deliver drugs directly into the periodontal pockets, targeting inflammation and providing sustained antibacterial effects while reducing systemic side effects. The characteristics and clinical implications of each type of local drug delivery system are discussed, along with emerging technologies such as 3D printing and nanotechnology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products and Drug Delivery Systems in Dental Diseases)
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78 pages, 18702 KB  
Review
Do Adjunctive Therapies with Natural Products Improve Periodontal Clinical Parameters After Non-Surgical Treatment? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Rafael Scaf de Molon, Joao Victor Soares Rodrigues, Erica Dorigatti de Avila, Davi da Silva Barbirato, Joao Pedro Franco Moura, Gabriele Vanzela Monteiro, Marcos Vinicius Alves, Leticia Helena Theodoro, Rolando Vernal and Wim Teughels
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(5), 2394; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27052394 - 4 Mar 2026
Viewed by 1070
Abstract
Periodontitis is a highly prevalent chronic inflammatory disease initiated by dysbiotic biofilms and sustained by an exaggerated host immune response, for which scaling and root planing (SRP) remains the cornerstone of therapy. However, mechanical debridement alone may be insufficient to fully resolve inflammation [...] Read more.
Periodontitis is a highly prevalent chronic inflammatory disease initiated by dysbiotic biofilms and sustained by an exaggerated host immune response, for which scaling and root planing (SRP) remains the cornerstone of therapy. However, mechanical debridement alone may be insufficient to fully resolve inflammation in complex cases and in susceptible patients. In this context, natural products and host modulatory strategies have emerged as potential adjunctive therapies owing to their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of natural products used as adjuncts to SRP on periodontal clinical outcomes. Comprehensive electronic searches were conducted in MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane CENTRAL, Embase, SciELO, and Google Scholar through December 2025, and randomized controlled clinical trials were included. Ninety studies were eligible for qualitative synthesis, and thirty-three were incorporated into the meta-analysis. The interventions encompassed a broad spectrum of plant-derived, host-modulatory and nutraceutical compounds, including curcumin, resveratrol, propolis, Aloe vera, green tea catechins, and omega-3 fatty acids, administered via local, systemic, or rinse-based approaches. Meta-analytic findings demonstrated that adjunctive natural products significantly enhanced probing pocket depth (PPD) reduction and clinical attachment level (CAL) gain compared with SRP alone, with additional improvements in gingival inflammation and bleeding outcomes; however, substantial heterogeneity was observed among studies. Overall, natural products provide measurable adjunctive benefits to SRP in the management of periodontitis, although further well-designed, standardized, and long-term randomized trials are necessary to support their routine clinical implementation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products and Drug Delivery Systems in Dental Diseases)
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18 pages, 872 KB  
Review
Crude Plant Extracts and Their Anti-Inflammatory Potential in Oral Inflammatory Cell Models: A Systematic Review of In Vitro Studies
by Issam Rasheed and Reinhard Gruber
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(23), 11253; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262311253 - 21 Nov 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1740
Abstract
Plants are a rich source of bioactive compounds with broad pharmaceutical potential, particularly for their anti-inflammatory properties. Oral inflammation underlies many local and systemic diseases, yet conventional anti-inflammatory drugs have adverse effects. Crude plant extracts offer promising, safer alternatives. This systematic review synthesizes [...] Read more.
Plants are a rich source of bioactive compounds with broad pharmaceutical potential, particularly for their anti-inflammatory properties. Oral inflammation underlies many local and systemic diseases, yet conventional anti-inflammatory drugs have adverse effects. Crude plant extracts offer promising, safer alternatives. This systematic review synthesizes evidence on the anti-inflammatory activity of whole plant extracts in vitro oral models of inflammation. It also highlights methodological considerations for improved reproducibility. PubMed searches following PRISMA guidelines identified studies using oral or periodontal cells stimulated with relevant inflammatory triggers and treated with crude plant extracts. Extracts from Camellia sinensis, Salvia officinalis, Paeonia x suffruticosa, Houttuynia cordata, Theobroma cacao, and others consistently reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β, and TNF-α, with no reported cytotoxicity at the effective concentrations. Variations in model design, extract characterization, and stimulation protocols were noted. Overall, this review demonstrates that crude plant extracts effectively modulate oral inflammatory responses in vitro. Findings suggest a possible non-cytotoxic anti-inflammatory activity that requires further investigation and underscore the need for methodological standardization to advance clinical translation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products and Drug Delivery Systems in Dental Diseases)
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