Role of Plant-Based Artificial Saliva in Dentistry- A Review.
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: ABSTRACT Background: Millions of patients worldwide suffer from xerostomia and salivary gland hypofunction, which are clinically difficult disorders brought on by head and neck radiation, autoimmune diseases like Sjögren syndrome, polypharmacy, and aging. The complex physicochemical and antibacterial milieu of natural saliva cannot be replicated by conventional synthetic artificial saliva preparations based on carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), which are linked to patient non-adherence and only provide temporary relief. Utilizing the mucoadhesive, lubricating, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial qualities of botanical chemicals, plant-based formulations have become an attractive option within the last ten years. Objective: The role of plant-based artificial saliva in dentistry, the makeup of representative phytotherapy-derived formulations, new plant-derived biotechnologies, clinical data from randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews, and future research directions are all thoroughly reviewed in this article. Methods: A narrative review of publications published between 2004 and 2026 was carried out using the PubMed, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases. Recent patent literature and active clinical trial registries (ClinicalTrials.gov) were also included. Results: Malva sylvestris, Alcea digitata, Althaea officinalis, Matricaria chamomilla, Linum usitatissimum, aloe vera, coconut oil, lycopene-enriched olive oil, licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra), and the novel sugarcane cystatin CANECPI-5 are among the plant-derived agents that show notable improvements in xerostomia-related symptoms, patient quality of life, oral lubrication, and enamel protection. The physicochemical characteristics of hydrocolloid plant polysaccharides (Calendula officinalis, Fucus sp., and Lichen islandicus) resemble those of salivary mucin MUC5B. The cutting edge of formulation research is represented by biomimetic pellicle-based techniques and nanotechnology-assisted delivery. Conclusion: Plant-based artificial saliva formulations offer a pharmacologically versatile, patient-acceptable, and scientifically established method of treating salivary hypofunction. Translating these agents into standard dentistry treatment will require standardizing the phytochemical composition, conducting thorough multicenter randomized trials, and integrating nanotechnology. KEYWORDS: Artificial saliva; Xerostomia; Plant-based; phytotherapy; Salivary substitutes; Oral health.
Language: English
Subfield: Physiology (medical)
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7159592811