Flavonoids effects against bacteria associated to periodontal disease and dental caries: a scoping review

Abstract

This scoping review focused on exploring the efficacy of flavonoids against bacteria associated with dental caries and periodontal diseases. Inclusion criteria comprise studies investigating the antibacterial effects of flavonoids against bacteria linked to caries or periodontal diseases, both pure or diluted in vehicle forms. The search, conducted in August 2023, in databases including PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, LILACS, and Gray Literature. Out of the initial 1125 studies, 79 met the inclusion criteria, majority in vitro studies. Prominent flavonoids tested included epigallocatechin-gallate, apigenin, quercetin, and myricetin. Predominant findings consistently pointed to bacteriostatic, bactericidal, and antibiofilm activities. The study primarily investigated bacteria associated with dental caries, followed by periodontopathogens. A higher number of publications presented positive antibacterial results against Streptococcus mutans in comparison to Porphyromonas gingivalis. These encouraging findings underline the potential applicability of commercially available flavonoids in materials or therapies, underscoring the need for further exploration in this field.

Keywords:

• Flavonoids
• anti-bacterial agents
• dental caries
• periodontitis

Acknowledgments

This study was financed in part by FAPEMIG (APQ-01185-21), CNPq (422588/2021-0). The funding sources were not involved in study design; in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; and in the decision to submit the article for publication.

Authors’ contribution

BTC: Conceptualization, Investigation, Methodology, Roles/Writing – original draft, FNAMC: Investigation, Methodology, Roles/Writing – original draft, FB: Conceptualization, Investigation, Methodology, Formal analysis, Writing – review & editing, GN: Conceptualization, Supervision, Formal analysis, Writing review & editing, TYUZ: Conceptualization, Supervision, Formal analysis, Writing – review & editing, CBA: Conceptualization, Supervision, Resources, Formal analysis, Writing – review & editing.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Data availability statement

The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (422588/2021-0); Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (APQ-01185-21).