Exploring the Role of Algae in Promoting Oral Health: Antimicrobial, Anti-inflammatory, and Tissue Healing Benefits

ABSTRACT

Algae a large and very diverse group of photosynthesizing organisms are also being increasingly hailed for their health benefits including their use in the preservation of human oral health. The major classes of molecules found in algae including polysaccharides, lipids, proteins, and secondary metabolites, exhibit a wide range of commercial applications including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and tissue healing activities. This review proposed to analyze the scientific data on the use of algae for oral care focusing on diseases include dental caries, periodontal disease, and oral infection. Moreover, the application of algae-based products in oral care formulations is described together with the problems and prospects of this topic.

INTRODUCTION

Oral hygiene has been seen as an essential aspect of human health. Dental caries, periodontal diseases, and oral infections, as clinical examples, are diseases that have inherent general quality of life consequences, such as severe pain, discomfort, and additional tooth loss. However, nowadays requirements are exhausting for natural bioactive compounds due to side effects of the chemicals and the consistent shift toward cost-effective and ecofriendly products is always in demand.[1] Algae, mainly photosynthetic microorganisms are nowadays getting enrolled in the medicinal properties regarding oral health. These organisms are packed with bioactive compounds such as polysaccharides, lipids, and proteins and some Secondary metabolites with antimicrobial anti-inflammatory, and tissue healing properties.[2] Thus, according to the literature review presented in this paper, the importance of algae in supporting oral health, bactericidal properties, anti-inflammatory, and tissue regeneration capabilities are discussed. Several studies have shown that compounds derived from algae can be used to treat oral diseases, such as caries, periodontitis, and oral infections.

Algae and their bioactive compounds

Different bioactive compounds listed in table 1 shows the result on pathogen.

Table 1.

Oral pathogens targeted by algae-derived compounds

Algae	Pathogen Targeted	Bioactive Compound	Effect on Pathogen	References
Red Algae	Streptococcus mutans	Carrageenans	Inhibits growth, prevents plaque formation	Lee et al.[3]
Green Algae	Fusobacterium nucleatum	Ulvans	Inhibits bacterial growth, reduces inflammation	Alagarsamy et al.[1]
Brown Algae	Porphyromonas gingivalis	Fucoidan	Inhibits bacterial growth, reduces gingival inflammation	Yoon et al.[4]
	Fusobacterium nucleatum	Fucoidan	Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory	Yoon et al.[4]
	Candida albicans	Fucoidan	Antifungal, reduces oral infection	Yoon et al.[4]

Red Algae: Red algae have bioactive compounds like carrageenans, and agar that have sulfated polysaccharides that have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory action.[3]

Green Algae: Green algae have a relatively high concentration of chlorophylls and polysaccharides, such as ulvans, which have displayed antibacterial and anti-inflammatory uses.[1]

Brown Algae: Brown algae contain bioactive compounds, such as fucoidan, alginates, and phlorotannins, which are known for their potent antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and tissue-healing properties.[4]

Antimicrobial properties of algae

Algae possess moderate to strong antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties against several oral pathogens. Algae with products that are used to fight against bacteria include, reducing the ability of bacteria to grow, form biofilm, and even attach to a surface.

• Carrageenans glycocolloids derived from red algae have demonstrated action on the Streptococcus mutans bacteria that are considered major agents in the formation of dental caries. It also helps avoid the formation of dental plaque, which is a main contributing factor in an individual’s dental caries.[3]

• Fucoidan, a polysaccharide derived from brown algae shows a potent antimicrobial effect against P. gingivalis, F. nucleatum, and C. albicans, which are commonly associated with periodontal diseases and oral infections.[4]

• Ulvans, polysaccharides from green algae, are known to possess antibacterial effects with respect to most of the universal oral bacteria and may be used as a natural way of managing bacterial growth in the oral cavity.[1]

Anti-inflammatory effects of algae

Acute inflammation plays a significant role in the development of many oral diseases such as periodontal diseases and oral mucosal diseases.

Fucoidan In the case of brown algae which is among the most researched for its anti-inflammatory properties, the active compound is derived from it. It decreases the secretion of inflammatory cytokines to the levels of TNF-α and interleukins (IL-6 and IL-1β). These cytokines play a critical role in the genre of periodontal disease when chronic inflammation results in tissue degradation and bone resorption.[4]

Ulvan, an extracellular matrix polysaccharide of green algae, has in vitro anti-inflammatory properties, which may help in the treatment of gingival inflammation and the severity of periodontitis.[1]

Carrageenans, found in red algae, have demonstrated effects in alleviating inflammation of the tissues surrounding the oral cavity. Carrageenans can also work on calming other oral inflammatory problems, such as gum inflammation, due to the ability of the substance to interfere with the production of inflammatory mediators.[3]

Tissue repair and healing properties of algae

Kinds of algae contain ligands that aid in the promotion of tissue proliferation and rapid healing; therefore, they are of importance in the treatment of oral mucosal diseases and surgical injuries.

Fucoidan is well known to enhance the rates of the regeneration and collagen deposition of the healing wound. Two of the benefits of fucoidan within the framework of oral health are healing oral mucosal lesions and postsurgical trauma, including tooth extraction or implantation.[4]

Carrageenan is also used in wound healing by stimulating the deposition of new collagen and encouraging cell migration, which is critical for tissue remodeling in the oral region.[3]

Alginates, used in tissue engineering, derivatives from brown algae have been established to self-assemble in a protective layer over injury areas to ward off infection and foster healing. Alginates can be utilized in mouth gels or rinses for the healing of soft tissues of the mouth.[5]

Algae in oral care products

Due to their bioactive properties, algae are incorporated more and more deliberately in oral care products, such as toothpaste, mouth rinses, or gels.

Toothpaste: Toothpaste contains something called algae extracts, red and green algae to be more specific, their bactericidal characteristics, and counter inflammation. These formulations help in controlling plaque formation, and inflammation of the gums and improve overall oral health.[1]

Mouthwashes: Natural polymers, such as carrageenans and fucoidan, derived from algae are included in mouthwash formulations as they act as anti-bacterial agents that also have anti-inflammatory effects on the gums. These mouth rinses have provided a natural way of undertaking mouth rinsing rather than the regular chemical solutions to oral health.[2]

Oral Gels and Lozenges: Algae gels are utilized for treating oral ulcers and as postsurgery treatments for wounds. These gels thus act as analgesics to the affected areas, reduce swelling, and enhance the healing process of the skin by forming a cover over the affected tissues.[4]

Clinical evidence and future directions

Although the given data on the algal impact on oral health contain valuable information derived from preclinical investigations, more rigorous investigations of algae in clinical practice are needed to draw conclusions regarding fungibility and the safety of algae for use in people. Further work should be dedicated to the process enhancement for extract recovery, bioavailability increase, as well as algae-derived ingredients sustainability. Also, research must be made in order to establish a combination of algae along with other natural substances which on their own might be even more beneficial.

CONCLUSION

The inhibition of the compounds of algae on regular oral pathogens such as Streptococcus mutans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Candida albicans makes each of these algae useful in controlling plaque formation, gingivitis, and oral infections. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory effect of the compounds derived from algae, such as fucoidan and carrageenan, exerts a therapeutic effect in controlling gum inflammation and preventing periodontal diseases. In addition, it also becomes clear that algae have the ability to tissue regeneration and wound healing which is useful in postoperation and oral ulcer treatment.[1,5] The use of algae in toothpaste, mouthwash, and gels has received much attention of late and offers a good natural and ecofriendly substitute to conventional chemical-based oral care products. Further clinical trials will be required to validate the chronic safety and efficacy of algae-derived products and to investigate the interaction between algae derivatives and other natural components.[1,2] Thus, algae are a renewable, environmentally friendly source of beneficial bioactive compounds for promoting oral health and discovering new preventive and therapeutic approaches to oral diseases and health conditions.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

Funding Statement

Nil.