Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41026331›Full record

SynthesisOdontology2026

Effects of propolis-modified glass ionomer cement on antimicrobial activity and physico-mechanical properties: a systematic review.

Dina Abozaid, Enas Elwakeel, Maged Ahmed Mohamed, Mohammad A Bahnsawy, Mohamed Eldebawy, Alaaeldin Elraggal, Fatima Alzahraa Abdellah Gwidah, Amr Azab

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Odontology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Review
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Dina Abozaid *Dental Biomaterials Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt. dina_ezzat@dent.tanta.edu.eg.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8357-8224
Enas Elwakeel *Faculty of Dentistry, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0006-3388-3710
Maged Ahmed MohamedFaculty of Dental Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0008-5891-9294
Mohammad A BahnsawyFaculty of Dental Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0002-3005-3528
Mohamed EldebawyFaculty of Dentistry, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.
Alaaeldin ElraggalDivision of Dentistry, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
Fatima Alzahraa Abdellah GwidahFaculty of Dentistry, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.
Amr AzabProsthodontics Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2635-9316

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Glass ionomer cement (GIC) is valued in restorative dentistry for its chemical adhesion, fluoride release, and biocompatibility but has limitations in mechanical strength and long-term antibacterial activity. Propolis, a natural resin rich in flavonoids and phenolic acids, has shown antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects, making it a potential bioactive additive to improve GIC performance. This systematic review evaluates the effects of propolis-modified GIC on antimicrobial activity and physico-mechanical properties, while identifying optimal formulations and concentrations for clinical use. Special emphasis is placed on methodological heterogeneity, chemical characterization gaps, and future research needs. Publications up to the end of 2024 were included from the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus. The review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42024627498) and conducted according to PRISMA guidelines using the PICO framework. Propolis-modified GIC generally demonstrated enhanced antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus, and Candida albicans, particularly at concentrations of 25-50%. Mechanical outcomes varied with concentration, with 25% often balancing antimicrobial efficacy and mechanical stability, while higher concentrations improved hardness but sometimes reduced compressive and bond strength. Considerable heterogeneity was observed in GIC brands, propolis sources, extraction techniques, and incorporation methods, limiting direct comparability. Most studies lacked detailed chemical characterization, making it unclear which flavonoids or phenolic compounds drive the observed effects. Yellow discoloration was the main reported esthetic change, with no studies assessing long-term color stability or translucency. Propolis-modified GIC is a promising bioactive restorative material with potential antimicrobial benefits. However, methodological weaknesses, heterogeneity in preparation, and absence of chemical and long-term esthetic evaluation limit the direct clinical applicability of current evidence. Standardized protocols for material preparation, bioactive component identification, and comprehensive testing of mechanical and esthetic properties are recommended to advance this field.

Indexed as

Anti-Infective AgentsGlass Ionomer CementsPropolisCandida albicansHumansLactobacillusStreptococcus mutansAnti-Infective AgentsGlass Ionomer CementsPropolisAntimicrobial activityGlass ionomer cementMechanical propertiesPhysical propertiesPropolis

Identifiers

PMID41026331
PMCPMC13053388

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.