Phytochemical Profiling of Ferula varia Extract and Its Antibiofilm Activity Against Streptococcus mutans

Dental caries is a major global health concern, with <i>Streptococcus mutans</i> playing a key role in biofilm formation and acid production, which lead to enamel demineralization. Natural products, particularly plant-derived extracts, offer promising alternatives to conventional antibacterial agents. This study aimed to analyze the chemical composition of <i>Ferula varia</i> 70% ethanol extract (FVE) and evaluate its potential to inhibit biofilm formation by <i>S. mutans</i>. The aerial parts of <i>F. varia</i> were extracted with 70% ethanol and analyzed using LC-UV-ESI-MS/MS to determine the chemical profile. The anti-biofilm activity of FVE was evaluated using a crystal violet assay against <i>S. mutans</i>. Phytochemical analysis identified 14 compounds, including major phenolic acids (e.g., chlorogenic acid, gallic acid) and flavonoids (e.g., isoquercitrin, isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside). FVE exhibited significant, dose-dependent inhibition of <i>S. mutans</i> biofilm formation. Importantly, the FVE concentration of 5 mg/mL inhibited <i>S. mutans</i> biofilm development by 100%. The potent antibiofilm activity of FVE against <i>S. mutans</i> is likely due to the synergistic action of its rich content of phenolic acids and flavonoids, which possess known anti-virulence properties. These findings support the potential use of FVE as a natural ingredient in oral hygiene products to prevent dental plaque and caries.