Abstract | Biljke i razni proizvodi prirodnog podrijetla stoljećima se tradicionalno koriste u tretiranju raznih bolesti u svim dijelovima svijeta, dok u zemljama u razvoju i danas čak 80 % populacije ovisi o medicinskim biljkama. Povijest poznavanja i upotreba lijekova dio su kulturne povijesti čovječanstva, a suvremena farmakologija također se zasniva na poznavanju i upotrebi biljnih, životinjskih i anorganskih (mineralnih) sirovina. S obzirom na rastuću rezistenciju patogena i povećanu incidenciju nuspojava zbog prevelike upotrebe konvencionalnih lijekova, istraživači se okreću prema novim izvorima lijekova, i kemijski sintetiziranim i onima prirodnog podrijetla. Najpoznatije biljke, odnosno biljni i proizvodi životinjskog podrijetla koji se upotrebljavaju u dentalnoj medicini jesu nim, kurkuma, propolis, aloe vera, Camellia sinensis, razna eterična i biljna ulja, ali sve više dolaze u fokus i manje poznate biljke koje pokazuju obećavajuća zdravstvena svojstva poput Salvadora persica, Ocimum sanctum, Morinda citrifolia i brojnih drugih. Zbog pozitivnih terapijskih djelovanja (antibakterijsko, antivirusno, antifungalno, antioksidativno, protukancerozno, protuupalno, imunomodulacijsko) i različitih mehanizama djelovanja mogle bi pronaći svoju ulogu kao pomoćna, a možda i glavna sredstva u tretiranju raznih bolesti zuba, parodonta i usne šupljine te u raznim granama dentalne medicine poput endodoncije, ortodoncije i oralne kirurgije. Do sada, uglavnom u istraživanjima in vitro, pokazuju izvanredna svojstva usporediva sa zlatnim standardima poput klorheksidina i natrijeva hipoklorita te s konvencionalnim lijekovima. Iako se lijekovi prirodnog podrijetla smatraju sigurnima i s manje nuspojava, potrebne su još brojne kliničke studije kako bi se utvrdila njihova sigurnost i eventualna toksičnost te kako bi zaživjele u svakodnevnoj praksi. |
Abstract (english) | Plants and various products of natural origin have traditionally been used for the treatment of various diseases in all parts of the world for centuries, while in developing countries even today 80% of the population is dependent on medical plants. The history of medicines and the knowledge of their use are a part of the cultural history of mankind. Contemporary pharmacology begins with the knowledge and use of plant, animal and inorganic (mineral) raw materials. The increasing resistance of pathogens and the increased incidence of side effects due to excessive use of conventional drugs have prompted researchers to begin searching for new sources of medicines, both chemically synthesized and those of natural origin. In dental medicine, the most famous plants, herbal or animal origin products used are neem, turmeric, propolis, aloe vera, Camellia sinensis, various essential and vegetable oils, although even lesser known plants that show promising health features such as Salvadora persica, Ocimum sanctum, Morinda citrifolia and many others are being brought into focus more and more. Because of their positive therapeutic effects (antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory) and various mechanisms of action, they could find their role as auxiliary and perhaps the main agents in the treatment of various tooth, periodontal and mucous diseases and conditions, as well as in various branches of dental medicine such as endodontics, orthodontics and oral surgery. So far, mainly in in vitro studies, they have shown remarkable properties comparable to gold standards such as chlorhexidine and sodium hypochlorite, and with conventional drugs. Although natural remedies are generally considered safe and with fewer side effects, many clinical studies are needed to determine their safety and possible toxicity so that they could come to life in day-to-day practice. |