Efficacy of toothpaste containing Brazilian green propolis extracts with an optimal kaempferide/betuletol ratio for improving oral microbiota: A randomized, controlled, paired crossover study

• Published in: Journal of ethnopharmacology 2025-01, Vol.337 (Pt 1), p.118762, Article 118762
• Main Authors: Amano, Shigeru, Matsumoto, Masaru, Morimoto, Masanori, Kawamoto, Hirokazu, Takeshita, Fumiaki, Yasui, Toshikazu, Sakagami, Hiroshi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Anti-Bacterial Agents - administration & dosage; Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; Betuletol; Brazil; Cross-Over Studies; Dental Plaque Index; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Kaempferide; Male; Microbiota - drug effects; Mouth - microbiology; Periodontal Index; Periodontal pathogens; Plaque index; Propolis; Propolis - administration & dosage; Propolis - pharmacology; Toothpaste; Toothpastes - pharmacology; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0378-8741; 1872-7573; 1872-7573
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118762

Propolis is a resinous substance collected by honeybees from various plant sources and has been used in traditional folk medicine for centuries. Propolis has various biological properties, including antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor properties. The use of propolis in oral health care is attributable to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. However, limited evidence exists on the in vivo efficacy of propolis against periodontal pathogens. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Brazilian green propolis (BGP)-containing toothpaste for improving the oral environment and define its antibacterial compounds. Overall, 48 student volunteers aged 18–40 years (24 females and 24 males) were randomly categorized into the BGP and placebo groups. The BGP and placebo groups received toothpaste with and without BGP, respectively. After a baseline assessment, the plaque index (PI) score, gingival index (GI) score, and proportion of periodontal pathogens on the tongue surface were analyzed at 0, 1, and 2 weeks. Antibacterial compounds were identified using liquid-liquid partitioning, high-performance liquid chromatography purification, and nuclear magnetic resonance methods. The concentration of BGP in the toothpaste was set at 0.0347 w/v%. Compared with the placebo group, the BGP group demonstrated a reduction in the PI score (p