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A plant compound found in apples, figs and guavas could one day replace antibiotics in the treatment of gingivitis, according to a new study.
Scientists from the Araraquara School of Dentistry at São Paulo State University in Brazil tested morin – a natural compound extracted from the skins and leaves of certain fruits and vegetables – on bacterial biofilms that mimicked gum disease.
In laboratory studies, they found that the morin-based powder showed antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects on bacteria, according to work published this month in the journal Archives of Oral Biology.
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“The idea is to take advantage of this natural compound, its benefits and advantages, and transform it all so that it can be used to prevent and treat tooth decay and periodontal disease,” said study author Luciana Solera Sales.
The researchers said morin was chosen because it is natural, cheap and widely available. To make it usable in the mouth, the team created a powder using the same process used to make powdered milk, which could allow for a controlled, slow release inside the mouth.
A compound found in apples could help fight gingivitis. (iStock)
While treatments for gum disease usually include cleanings and plaque removal, dentists sometimes turn to topical antibiotics when bacteria and calcified deposits are too difficult to remove, the researchers explained. However, increasing antimicrobial resistance has prompted scientists to look for safer, more natural options.
The study authors stated that morin-based compounds could serve as “non-antibiotic adjunctive antimicrobial therapy” to improve treatment outcomes.
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Although the substance can be found in apple peels, guava leaves, figs, almonds, onion bulbs, and some teas, the researchers noted that simply consuming them is not enough.
“The substance needs to be processed,” Sales said.
The compound could remain active despite the constant flow of saliva.
Her team, supervised by São Paulo State University professor Fernanda Lourenção Brighenti, combined morin with sodium alginate and gellan gum, polymers that protect the compound from breaking down too quickly and allow it to stick to teeth and gums for longer periods.
The controlled-release system, the researchers said, could help the compound remain active despite the constant flow of saliva.
Morin-based compounds could serve as “non-antibiotic adjunctive antimicrobial therapy” to improve treatment outcomes, according to the study’s authors. (iStock)
The fine morin powder can be incorporated into oral hygiene products such as toothpaste or mouthwash, according to Brighenti.
“The idea is to provide a platform that acts as a supplement and can be useful, for example, for people with reduced motor skills who cannot brush their teeth properly, such as older adults and patients with special needs,” Brighenti said.
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The researchers hope to develop a version that is safe, pleasant-tasting and suitable for large-scale production, without the drawbacks of current treatments such as tooth staining, tartar build-up and changes in the taste in the mouth.
The team plans to continue testing the morin formulation in laboratory animals and clinical studies to confirm its safety and effectiveness.
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If successful, the natural compound could be used to create the first antibiotic-free herbal dental treatments aimed at preventing and managing gingivitis, a condition that, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), contributes to the global burden of oral disease affecting nearly half the world’s population.
Researchers say a natural compound found in apples, figs and other plants may help fight the bacteria that cause gum disease. (iStock)
Dr. Richard Nejat, a New York periodontist and dental implant specialist at Advanced Periodontics & Implant Dentistry, said the research is promising and “reflects an exciting shift toward more natural, antibiotic-free approaches to dentistry.”
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While morin could represent a valuable adjunct to traditional therapy, human clinical trials are still necessary, Nejat told Fox News Digital.
“The mouth is a complex ecosystem and we need to understand how this compound behaves in real patients – including its long-term effects on the oral microbiome and potential interactions with existing treatments,” he added.
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Dr. Ilona Fotek, a holistic and organic dentist at Dental Healing Arts in Jupiter, Florida, warned that even promising plant-based treatments can carry risks if they are not properly studied or administered.
The researchers plan to test the fruit-based compound in humans to confirm its safety and effects. (iStock)
“A ‘natural’ label doesn’t automatically mean safe, especially without human data,” Fotek told Fox News Digital. “My concern with such research is that it often sparks DIY trends on social media, which can do more harm than good.”
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Research, however, can move forward in the search for treatments that support healing without destroying the oral ecosystem, he added.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the researchers for comment.
