Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Potential of Gliricidia sepium Leaf Extract for Preventive Oral Health Promotion
European Journal of Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry (2026) 34(3S), 91–97
KeywordsGliricidia sepium; oral health promotion; phytochemicals; natural antimicrobials; antioxidant potential; preventive healthcare.
AuthorsABSTRACTPreventive oral health promotion increasingly emphasizes safe, sustainable, and plant-derived bioactive agents with potential antimicrobial and antioxidant relevance. Gliricidia sepium is a medicinal plant known to contain diverse phytochemicals that may support future natural productbased preventive health applications. This study evaluated the phytochemical composition, biological activity, environmental safety, and enzyme-modulating potential of ethanolic leaf extract of Gliricidia sepium, with emphasis on its relevance as a natural bioactive resource for preventive oral health promotion. Leaves of G. sepium were collected from Baranoa, Atlántico, Colombia, and extracted using 96% ethanol. Phytochemical screening was performed to identify major secondary metabolites. Biological activity was assessed through standardized bioassays to determine LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ values, while Artemia salina toxicity testing was used to evaluate preliminary safety. Enzymatic assays involving glutathione S-transferase, α-esterase, β-esterase, and mixed-function oxidases were conducted to examine biochemical activity. The extract contained alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, saponins, sterols, terpenes, glycosides, and tannins. It demonstrated notable biological activity, with an LC₅₀ of 281.15 ppm at 48 h in the Rockefeller strain, and showed low toxicity toward A. salina, with LC₅₀ values greater than 1000 ppm. Enzyme analysis indicated measurable modulation of detoxification-related enzymes, including a 61% increase in GST activity. The phytochemical richness, biological activity, favorable safety profile, and enzyme-modulating properties of G. sepium suggest its potential as a sustainable natural bioactive resource for future antimicrobial and antioxidant investigations related to preventive oral health promotion, community health education, and natural product-based healthcare strategies.
INTRODUCTIONOral diseases continue to be one of the most common non-communicable health problems in the world, affecting billions of people, and contributing to significant social, economic and health care costs. Oral diseases such as dental caries, periodontal diseases, oral mucosal infections and other oral health conditions are major causes of pain and discomfort, impaired nutrition, loss of quality of life and health care costs. Oral diseases continue to disproportionately affect vulnerable populations despite the progress made in preventive dentistry and oral healthcare delivery, with limited access to preventive services, and oral health education, in low and middle income countries (1). As a result, interest has been sparked in the search for natural products that are sustainable, affordable and biologically active to assist in preventive oral health promotion and complement existing public health measures (2). The use of natural bioactive compounds that have antimicrobial properties and can reduce oxidative stress and promote general oral health is a growing focus of preventive oral care. The oral cavity supports a variety of microbes and disruption of the microbial balance may be linked to dental caries, •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ejprd.org- Published by Riset Publishing Services LLC.
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