Antibacterial, Antifungal and Antiviral Properties of Malpighiaceae Family and Its Potential Impact for Oral Cavity Infectious Diseases

Abstract

Recently, the impact of oral infections on global human health and their importance in the complications of patients with some chronic conditions have been recognized. Current medical treatments deal with the specificity and resistance of pathogenic strains of the oral cavity made up of by bacteria, fungi and viruses; thus, novel substances are necessary for use as effective drugs. Plants have been a source of active chemical agents since ancient times; however, a number of family plants still remain unstudied. This is the case of Malpighiaceae, a flowering plant family that possesses secondary metabolites that have exhibited a variety of pharmacological effects with promising results. This review has as objective to provide an overview of the extracts and active constituents isolated from species belonging to the Malpighiaceae family, to emphasize their activities against bacteria, fungi and viruses during recent years and their potential impact on the pathogens of the oral cavity.