SCIENTIFIC VALIDATION OF HERBS USED IN SIDDHA MEDICINE FOR DENTAL CARE: AN INTEGRATIVE SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Oral health inequities persist globally due to limited access to conventional dental care, high costs, and antibiotic resistance. Siddha medicine offers a rich repository of herbal formulations for dental applications, yet scientific validation remains fragmented. This systematic review evaluates the scientific evidence for nine Siddha medicinal plants used in dental care, correlating traditional uses with modern pharmacological findings to support evidence-based clinical integration. Following PRISMA guidelines, we systematically reviewed literature from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar (2004-2024) for nine selected plants form reputed siddha text where the plants were described in traditional basis: Anacyclus pyrethrum, Syzygium aromaticum, Azadirachta indica, Curcuma longa, Terminalia chebula, Acacia catechu, Ficus benghalensis, Solanum surattense, and Mentha arvensis. Data on phytochemistry, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anesthetic, and antioxidant activities were extracted and categorized using WHO evidence classification. Six plants achieved clinical readiness (Levels Ia-IIa). Curcuma longa demonstrated Level Ia evidence with meta-analyses confirming efficacy in periodontitis and oral mucositis. Syzygium aromaticum, Azadirachta indica, Terminalia chebula, and Acacia catechu showed Level Ib evidence from randomized trials. T. chebula exhibited superior anticaries activity (MIC 10 μg/ml against S. mutans), while A. pyrethrum demonstrated exceptional analgesic effects (94% pain inhibition). A. indica provided unique antiviral activity and broad antimicrobial spectrum. Scientific validation supports integrating six Siddha herbs into evidence-based dental practice. It is concluded that their therapeutic profiles offer accessible, cost-effective solutions for global oral health challenges, particularly anticaries, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory applications. Which will enhance the integrative dentistry in future medicine 2.0.