Active substances in medicinal plants with application in stomatology

Abstract

The purpose of this work was to present chemical structure and basic characteristics of some active substances in medical plants which are used in stomatology. Considering their chemical content and pharmacological effects, all active substances of herbal origin are divided in four groups tannins, flavonoids, aetheric oils and the group of herbal species which show immunostimulating effect. Tannins are active substances of medical plants whose function are primarily based on precipitation of proteins and are used for disinfection of skin and oral mucose as well as for haemostatic purposes. Flavonoids are herbal pigments. They work as diuretics, and in dentistry they could be used as antiinflammatory agents. Essential oils are part of herbal species and are used as korigens of taste and smell. For their antiseptic and disinfective effects, essential oils are used in dentistry as preparations like toothpastes, mouth wash and chewing-gums. Immunostimulators of herbal origin are especially interesting in the decreasing immunity treatment for their slight toxic characteristics.