Natural Compounds for Preventing Ear, Nose, and Throat-Related Oral Infections

Abstract

Oral health is an essential element in maintaining general well-being. By preserving the complex equilibrium within the oral microbial community, commensal microorganisms can protect against extrinsic pathogenic threats. However, when an imbalance occurs, the organism is susceptible to a broad range of infections. Synthetic drugs can be administered to help the body fight against the fungal, bacterial, or viral burden. Nonetheless, they may produce undesirable consequences such as toxicity, adverse effects, and drug resistance. In this respect, research has focused on finding safer and more efficient alternatives. Particularly, increasing attention has been drawn towards developing novel formulations based on natural compounds. This paper reviews the plant-based, algae-based, and beehive products investigated for their antimicrobial properties, aiming to thoroughly present the state of the art on oral infection prevention in the ear, nose, and throat (ENT) field.

Natural Bioactive Compounds in the Management of Oral Diseases in Nephropathic Patients

“…Numerous studies suggest that NBCs exert important beneficial effects in safeguarding oral cavity health [18]. The NBCs are organic compounds present in nature and they are able to exert healthy actions.…”

“…However, the mechanisms underlying this relationship are still poorly studied and the available data need to be confirmed by larger randomized clinical trials. The possible link between the two diseases could be represented by the alteration of the oral microbiota, a set of symbiotic bacteria in the oral cavity [18]. In fact, on the one hand, oral diseases induce an alteration of the oral microbiota, which loses its ability to protect the host from pathogenic bacteria that can enter through the buccal opening.…”

“…Therefore, these systemic diseases could induce, in turn, an alteration of the oral microbiota that is associated with an increased susceptibility to the oral disease onset [19,20]. Currently, one of the main topics of research is focusing on the use of strategies to prevent alterations of the oral microbiota and to safeguard the host's general health [18]. In this context, the use of natural products which, free from side effects, act by counteracting the occurrence of an oral microbiota dysbiosis, protecting from the CDNCDs, could represent a valid adjuvant strategy [21].…”

“…Several in vitro and in vivo studies show that NBCs seem to exert important anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, hypoglycaemic and antihypertensive effects [25][26][27][28]. Furthermore, NBCs are able to positively modulate the oral microbiota composition [18]. Consequently, the intake of NBCs could represent a valid strategy able to counteract the onset and the progression of CDNCDs, including CKD.…”

The Potential Application of Natural Photosensitizers Used in Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy against Oral Infections

“…albicans is the most commonly encountered oral manifestation, especially in HIV patients [66]. This is due to its adherence abilities and form of biofilms on the oral tissues and denture surfaces [67]. Biofilm-associated Candida infections show high resistance to antifungal treatment and host defense mechanisms.…”