Phytotherapy: A Solution to Decrease Antifungal Resistance in the Dental Field

Biomolecules. 2022 Jun 4;12(6):789. doi: 10.3390/biom12060789.

Abstract

The pathologies produced by fungi in the oral cavity in recent decades have become a health problem, with factors such as an imbalance of the local microbiota being the cause for their propagation. Conventional antifungal treatments, instead of being beneficial, have generated alterations that have led to antifungal resistance. The aim of this study was to investigate and describe phytotherapy resources as a possible solution to oral antifungal resistance. A bibliographic search was carried out on platforms such as PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Google scholar. A total of 248 scientific articles were obtained, of which 108 met the inclusion criteria. Microorganisms of fungal origin currently show resistance to the different antifungals of conventional use, which is undoubtedly altering the oral health of human beings, but there are new therapeutic possibilities such as the active principles of various natural species.

Keywords: antifungal agents; drug resistance; mouth; phytotherapy.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents* / pharmacology
  • Antifungal Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Drug Resistance, Fungal*
  • Fungi
  • Humans
  • Phytotherapy

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents

Grants and funding

The APC was funded by Catholic University of Cuenca, Cuenca, Ecuador.