Mini Review Volume 25 Issue 10 - 2026

Phytochemical-Based Nanotherapeutics in Oral Healthcare: Current Evidence, Challenges and Future Perspectives

Harpreet Singh1*, SJ Wadher2, Dinesh Kumar3 and Krishna Chaitanya Gunturu4

1Director, Research and Development, Desh Bhagat University SIRO, Dean Research, Professor and Head, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Desh Bhagat University, Mandi Gobindgarh, Punjab, India 2Senior Professor, School of Pharmacy, Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University, Nanded, Maharashtra, India 3Associate Professor, Department of Pharmaceutics, S. Lal Singh Memorial College of Pharmacy, Desh Bhagat University, Mandi Gobindgarh, Punjab, India 4Professor, School of Chemical Sciences, Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University, Nanded, Maharashtra, India

*Corresponding Author: Harpreet Singh, Director, Research and Development, Desh Bhagat University SIRO, Dean Research, Professor and Head, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Desh Bhagat University, Mandi Gobindgarh, Punjab, India.
Received: September 26, 2026; Published: October 05, 2026



Phytochemicals have attracted vast interest in oral healthcare because of their antimicrobial, antibiofilm, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Compounds such as curcumin, resveratrol, quercetin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, berberine and propolis- derived constituents have been investigated for their high potential in management of several dental problems. However, many phytochemicals have poor aqueous solubility, limited stability and low bioavailability, which restrict their therapeutic application. Nanotechnology offers a means of improving these limitations through nanoparticles, liposomes, nano emulsions, nanostructured lipid carriers, nanogels and mucoadhesive systems which may improve stability, local retention, controlled release and delivery to diseased tissues. This review summarizes important phytochemicals, relevant nanocarrier systems, current oral-health applications, clinical evidence, major limitations and future research priorities.

Keywords: Microbiome: Nanotechnology; Nanoparticles; Oral Healthcare; Phytochemicals

  1. Anwar MA., et al. “Herbal remedies for oral and dental health: a comprehensive review of their multifaceted mechanisms including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant pathways”. Inflammopharmacology3 (2025): 1085-1160.
  2. Parvin N., et al. “Nano-phytomedicine: harnessing plant-derived phytochemicals in nanocarriers for targeted human health applications”. Molecules15 (2025): 3177.
  3. Schneider-Rayman M., et al. “Effect of epigallocatechin gallate on dental biofilm of Streptococcus mutans: An in vitro study”. BMC Oral Health1 (2021): 447.
  4. Inchingolo AD., et al. “Effects of resveratrol, curcumin and quercetin supplementation on bone metabolism-a systematic review”. Nutrients 17 (2022): 3519.
  5. Geszke-Moritz M and Moritz M. “Biodegradable polymeric nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems: comprehensive overview, perspectives and challenges”. Polymers (Basel) 17 (2024): 2536.
  6. Kim EM and Jeong HJ. “Liposomes: biomedical applications”. Chonnam Medical Journal 1 (2021): 27-35.
  7. Li Y., et al. “Nanoemulsion-based delivery systems for poorly water-soluble bioactive compounds: Influence of formulation parameters on Polymethoxyflavone crystallization”. Food Hydrocolloids 2 (2012): 517-528.
  8. Naseri N., et al. “Solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers: structure, preparation and application”. Advanced Pharmaceutical Bulletin 3 (2015): 305-313.
  9. Zheng B., et al. “Mucoadhesive-to-mucopenetrating nanoparticles for mucosal drug delivery: a mini review”. International Journal of Nanomedicine 20 (2025): 2241-2252.
  10. Hu C., et al. “Curcumin in oral health: mechanisms, clinical evidence, and delivery strategies”. Frontiers in Pharmacology 16 (2026): 1661443.
  11. Su SY., et al. “Resveratrol as an adjunct therapy in periodontal disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis”. Nutrients13 (2026): 2212.
  12. Rawal A., et al. “Quercetin as a natural adjunct in managing plaque and gingivitis in adults: a randomized controlled trial”. Cureus5 (2026): e109382.
  13. Kong C., et al. “Effects of green tea extract epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on oral disease-associated microbes: a review”. Journal of Oral Microbiology 1 (2022): 2131117.
  14. Ballouk MA., et al. “Propolis mouthwashes efficacy in managing gingivitis and periodontitis: a systematic review of the latest findings”. BDJ Open1 (2025): 5.
  15. Pitic Coţ DE., et al. “Curcumin-based nanoformulations for oral health: mechanistic insights, antimicrobial efficacy, and future clinical perspectives”. Biomedicines4 (2026): 815.
  16. Nakajima M., et al. “Advances in local drug delivery for periodontal treatment: present strategies and future directions”. Biomolecules6 (2025): 903.
  17. Capuano N., et al. “Nanoparticles and their antibacterial application in endodontics”. Antibiotics (Basel) 12 (2023): 1690.
  18. Maia LÂS., et al. “Micro and nano drug delivery systems for the treatment of oral mucositis: a review”. Pharmaceutics8 (2025): 1025.
  19. Lee TY and Tseng YH. “The potential of phytochemicals in oral cancer prevention and therapy: a review of the evidence”. Biomolecules8 (2020): 1150.
  20. Wadan AS., et al. “Sustainable nanomaterials for precision dental medicine: green synthesis, therapeutic applications, and future directions”. Journal of Nanobiotechnology 1 (2026): 190.

Harpreet Singh., et al. “Phytochemical-Based Nanotherapeutics in Oral Healthcare: Current Evidence, Challenges and Future Perspectives”. EC Dental Science 25.10 (2026): 01-06.