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Natural Products and Drug Delivery Systems in Dental Diseases

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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
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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 (1 paper)

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Review

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
Viewed by 567
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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