Improving glass Ionomer performance through plant extracts: a systematic review of

Objective: This systematic review aimed to systematically map and synthesize the available evidence from Materials and methods: The review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. The search strategy, based on the Population Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome (PICO) framework, was applied to four major databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science), yielding 2,614 initial records. The Quality Assessment Tool for In Vitro Studies (QUINN Tool) was used to evaluate the risk of bias. Data regarding plant species, GIC types, modification methods, and outcome measures were extracted and synthesized narratively due to methodological heterogeneity. Results: The analysis of the 14 included studies revealed that Conclusions: The incorporation of plant extracts presents a promising strategy for improving the antibacterial performance of GICs while preserving their beneficial properties. However, the current body of evidence is constrained by methodological inconsistencies and critical gaps in safety and long-term efficacy evaluation. Future research must prioritize standardized protocols, comprehensive biocompatibility testing, and analyses under conditions that better simulate the oral environment to ensure clinical translatability.