Bioactive Property of Thai Herbs Against Streptococcus mutans for Oral Hygiene

Abstract

Dental caries, primarily caused by Streptococcus mutans, remains a major global oral health issue. Due to the limitations of synthetic antimicrobials, such as side effects and resistance, interest has grown in natural alternatives—particularly Thai herbs traditionally used in oral care. To synthesize scientific evidence on the antibacterial activity of Thai herbal extracts against Streptococcus mutans, focusing on minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values. A literature review was conducted using databases including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and ThaiJo for studies published between 2010 and 2024. Inclusion criteria required studies to report MIC and/or MBC values of Thai herbal extracts against S. mutans using standard in vitro antimicrobial assays. Numerous Thai herbs demonstrated antibacterial effects against S. mutans, with several showing low MIC and MBC values. Herbs such as Cinnamomum aromaticum, Syzygium aromaticum, and Ocimum basilicum exhibited potent activity and MBC/MIC ratios suggesting bactericidal action. However, inconsistencies in methodology and limited clinical data were observed across studies. Thai herbal extracts show promising in vitro antibacterial activity against S. mutans, supporting their potential use in natural oral care products. Further research is needed to standardize testing, evaluate safety, and validate clinical effectiveness.