Luciana Solera Gross sales and Fernanda Brighenti on the Biochemical and Microbiological Analysis Laboratory at FOAr-UNESP. Credit score: Fernanda Brighenti
A powder based mostly on morin, a pure compound extracted from vegetation akin to guava leaves, apple and fig peels, sure teas, and almonds, has proven antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant results in opposition to micro organism that trigger periodontal illness. It’s anticipated that the substance, launched in a managed method by way of polymers, will assist with nonsurgical therapies as a substitute for antibiotics for controlling microorganisms.
In in vitro laboratory research, researchers on the Araraquara College of Dentistry at São Paulo State College (FOAr-UNESP) in Brazil examined morin on a multispecies biofilm shaped by numerous species of micro organism that simulated the consequences of the illness on sufferers’ gums.
The outcomes are revealed within the Archives of Oral Biology. The research was performed by Luciana Solera Gross sales throughout her doctoral research at FOAr-UNESP, underneath the supervision of Fernanda Lourenção Brighenti.
Different researchers concerned within the research included Andréia Bagliotti Meneguin from the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Araraquara (FCFAr) at UNESP; Hernane da Silva Barud from the College of Araraquara (UNIARA); and Michael Robert Milward from the School of Dentistry on the College of Birmingham in England.
“At the moment, we have a fine powder obtained through spray drying—which is the same equipment used to make powdered milk—that can be used to make various types of oral hygiene products. The idea is to provide a platform that acts as an adjunct and can be useful, for example, for people with reduced motor skills who are unable to brush their teeth properly, such as older adults and patients with special needs,” says Brighenti.
Morin was chosen as a result of it’s a pure, cheap, and simply accessible compound.
“Morin is a flavonoid that can be obtained from various fruits. But simply eating it isn’t enough; the substance needs to be processed. The idea is to take advantage of this natural compound, its benefits, and its advantages, and transform it all so that it can be used to prevent and treat tooth decay and periodontal disease,” Gross sales factors out.
Inside the analysis group, Brighenti has been working with different researchers to develop what she calls platforms that enable various kinds of substances to behave on the illnesses presently being studied. In keeping with Brighenti, that is needed as a result of pure merchandise typically don’t dissolve properly in water.
“We have a constant flow of saliva. We produce, on average, 1 milliliter of saliva per minute. Anything we put in our mouths is quickly removed by saliva, especially because it has a smell and taste, which stimulates salivary flow. When we have something that sticks to the mucous membrane of the mouth, the inside of our cheeks, and our teeth, it gives us an additional advantage. This controlled release also helps us control the toxicity and stability of the substance,” the professor explains.
Within the case of morin, the problem was to optimize what the group had developed to date, making it extra interesting to potential sufferers whereas creating one thing scalable for the trade.
“We also aim to provide an alternative to products currently available on the market that don’t meet the demand because they have some side effects reported by patients, such as taste changes and increased tartar buildup, as well as stains on the teeth with prolonged use,” Brighenti provides.
“We started developing these systems in the form of tablets, films, and microparticles. But until then, they were too large and unfeasible for oral use. In my Ph.D., we tried to improve these products by making them smaller. That’s why I developed this format, which looks like powdered milk. I prepared a solution containing sodium alginate and gellan gum to encapsulate morin in a controlled-release system, which is already widely used for drugs but isn’t yet widely used in dentistry,” Gross sales explains.
Periodontal illness happens when there may be an accumulation of biofilm or bacterial plaque, a sticky movie shaped by micro organism and meals particles that builds up on the tooth.
Periodontitis, a extreme type of periodontal illness, is taken into account the sixth most typical continual situation worldwide. In gentle circumstances, bleeding might happen. Because the illness progresses, it could result in tooth loss.
Correct oral hygiene, together with brushing, flossing, and utilizing fluoride toothpaste, can significantly lower this threat.
In keeping with information from the World Well being Group (WHO) in 2022, almost half of the world’s inhabitants (45%) suffers from oral illnesses, amounting to roughly 3.5 billion folks.
The researchers plan to proceed testing morin first in animal fashions after which in medical research to research its different properties.
“We observed with the naked eye that the in vitro biofilm treated with morin in the laboratory is less stained than when treated in its free form. So, it’s possible that there’s an advantage, that this system helps prevent tooth discoloration. We also need to test, for example, whether morin maintains the balance of the oral cavity, because we don’t want to eliminate all bacteria from patients’ mouths,” says Brighenti.
Extra info:
Luciana Solera Gross sales et al, Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial analysis of morin, Archives of Oral Biology (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2025.106343
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Plant-derived compound supplies antimicrobial and anti inflammatory results in opposition to periodontal illness (2025, September 17)
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