Research Progress and Drug Intervention Strategies for Oral Health-Related Diseases

A special issue of Pharmaceuticals (ISSN 1424-8247). This special issue belongs to the section "Pharmacology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 July 2026 | Viewed by 1530

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Speciality Disciplines, “Titu Maiorescu” University, 031593 Bucharest, Romania
Interests: dental prosthetics; dental implants; geriatric dentistry

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Guest Editor
Faculty of Dental Medicine, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology, 38 Gheorghe Marinescu Street, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
Interests: orthodontics; mini implants; multidisciplinary treatment
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Oral health-related diseases, particularly dental caries and periodontal diseases, represent some of the most prevalent microbial infections globally, posing significant challenges to public health. Over the years, research has gradually unveiled these diseases' complex mechanisms, but effective prevention and treatment remain important challenges.

This Special Issue seeks to comprehensively examine recent advancements in research on oral health-related diseases and innovative drug intervention strategies. Topics will encompass the molecular mechanisms underlying these conditions and the development and evaluation of novel and personalized therapeutic approaches. Leading-edge research in this field emphasizes advanced biomaterials for drug delivery in oral care, alongside targeted therapies informed by an in-depth understanding of the oral microbiome. This issue will spotlight emerging treatment strategies, including antimicrobial agents, biomaterials, probiotics, and regenerative medicine, aimed at improving prevention and therapeutic outcomes.

We invite original research papers, reviews, and case studies that offer new insights into the pathogenesis, diagnosis, or drug-based management of oral health-related diseases. While the primary focus will be on dental caries and periodontitis, studies addressing oral cancer and other oral infections are also welcomed.

Dr. Claudia Florina Bogdan-Andreescu
Prof. Dr. Mariana Pacurar
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • oral health
  • dental caries
  • periodontal diseases
  • drug intervention
  • biomaterials
  • biomarkers
  • microbiome
  • pharmacogenomics
  • targeted therapy
  • oral drug delivery
  • oral disease prevention

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

42 pages, 9322 KB  
Article
Characterization of a New Biocomposite Based on Bioactive Compounds from Ganoderma lucidum and Jellyfish Collagen Destined for In Vitro Evaluation of Antitumor Effects in the Oral Cavity
by Carolina Pascale, Alexandru Burcea, Claudia Florina Bogdan-Andreescu, Emin Cadar, Antoanela Popescu, Ticuta Negreanu-Pirjol, Florica Busuricu, Ana-Maria Pesterau, Adrian Cosmin Rosca and Rodica Sirbu
Pharmaceuticals 2026, 19(1), 108; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19010108 - 7 Jan 2026
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Abstract
Background/Objectives: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains a major therapeutic challenge due to treatment-related toxicity and impaired oral tissue regeneration. This study aimed to develop and characterize a novel biocomposite based on bioactive compounds from Ganoderma lucidum incorporated into marine collagen derived from [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains a major therapeutic challenge due to treatment-related toxicity and impaired oral tissue regeneration. This study aimed to develop and characterize a novel biocomposite based on bioactive compounds from Ganoderma lucidum incorporated into marine collagen derived from Rhizostoma pulmo and to evaluate its physicochemical properties, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, and in vitro antitumor potential in the oral cavity. Methods: Hydroalcoholic extracts of G. lucidum and pepsin-soluble collagen peptides from R. pulmo jellyfish were prepared and combined to obtain two hydrogel biocomposites with different component ratios. Chemical and structural characterization was performed using HPLC-DAD, SDS-PAGE, FT-IR, circular dichroism, and spectrophotometric assays. Antioxidant activity was assessed by DPPH radical scavenging and reducing power assays, while antimicrobial activity was evaluated against oral pathogens using diffusion and MIC methods. In vitro biological activity was investigated using MTT viability and scratch migration assays on human OSCC cell lines (SCC-9 and HSC-3). Results: The biocomposites preserved the structural integrity of type I collagen and incorporated polysaccharides and polyphenols from G. lucidum. The combined formulations showed enhanced antioxidant and antimicrobial activities compared with collagen alone. In vitro assays demonstrated dose- and time-dependent reductions in OSCC cell viability and delayed cell migration, with effects comparable to those of G. lucidum extract. Conclusions: The G. lucidumR. pulmo biocomposite exhibits favorable physicochemical properties and demonstrates antioxidant, antimicrobial, and in vitro antitumor activity. These findings support its potential as a multifunctional biomaterial for further investigation as an adjunct approach in oral cancer-related applications. Full article
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