Phycobiliproteins (PBPs), captivating water-soluble proteins found in cyanobacteria, red algae, and cryptophytes, continue to fascinate researchers and industries due to their unique properties and multifaceted applications. These proteins consist of chromophores called phycobilins (PBs), covalently linked to specific protein subunits. Major phycobiliproteins include phycocyanin (PC), allophycocyanin (APC), and phycoerythrin (PE), each distinguished by distinct absorption and emission spectra. Beyond their colorful properties, PBs exhibit a broad spectrum of biological activities, including antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antidiabetic effects, making them valuable for pharmaceutical, biotechnological, and medical purposes. The extraction and purification methods for PBs have been optimized to enhance their bioavailability and stability, opening new avenues for industrial production. For this review, a comprehensive literature search was conducted using scientific databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, prioritizing peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2025, with an emphasis on recent advances from the last five years, using keywords such as “phycobiliproteins”, “phycobilins”, “bioactivities”, “therapeutic applications”, and “industrial use”. Studies were selected based on their relevance to the biological, technological, and pharmacological applications of PBPs and PBs. This review explores the diverse applications of PBs in therapeutic, diagnostic, and environmental fields, highlighting their potential as natural alternatives in the treatment of various diseases. The future perspectives for PBs focus on their incorporation into innovative drug delivery systems, biocompatible materials, and functional foods, presenting exciting opportunities for advancing human health and well-being.

Dental caries remains one of the most widespread global health concerns, significantly affecting both oral and overall health. Conventional treatments typically rely on chemical-based products which, although effective, are often associated with undesirable side effects such as tooth staining, altered taste, and the development of antimicrobial resistance. As a response, plant-based natural alternatives have gained attention as promising strategies for the prevention and management of dental caries. This review highlights the antibacterial properties of medicinal plants and their potential applications in dentistry, with a particular focus on their activity against a broad range of bacteria and microorganisms involved in oral diseases. Numerous plant extracts and bioactive compounds—including polyphenols, flavonoids, and essential oils—have demonstrated antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties that contribute to maintaining oral health. Although in vitro and in vivo studies support their therapeutic potential, clinical trials assessing long-term efficacy and safety remain scarce. Future research should prioritize the standardization of extraction methods, dosage, and formulations to facilitate the integration of these natural alternatives into conventional dental care practices.

Plant extracts of fifteen plants of ethnomedicinal use in Mexico were analyzed to provide scientific knowledge of their medicinal properties through the evaluation of different biological activities such as anti-hemolytic, antioxidant, and cytotoxic effects in normal cells. Therefore, methanolic extracts were obtained from each of the plants by the Soxhlet extraction. The hemolytic activity in human erythrocytes was evaluated, as was their potential to protect the erythrocyte membrane against the 2,2′-azobis (2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride (AAPH) and 1,1–diphenyl–2–picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radicals. Finally, the toxicity of the extracts in normal cell cultures of African green monkey kidney cells (Vero) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was determined by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction method. Most of the extracts showed low hemolytic activity and high anti-hemolytic activity as well as high selectivity indices (SI) and antioxidant effects. Extracts of H. inuloides, J. dioica, and J. spicigera induced cell proliferation of the Vero cells. K. daigremontiana, A. adstringens, S. mexicanum, J. spicigera, L. tridentata, and M. tenuiflora extracts showed PBMC cell proliferation. In the present study, it was observed that the evaluated extracts did not present hemolytic activity, and some presented low toxicity when Vero and PBMC cell cultures were exposed. In conclusion, traditionally used plants possess beneficial health properties, and it is hoped that this study will serve as a basis for understanding the biological effects of traditionally used plants and may complement future studies.

Background: Diet and nutrition are essential in preserving oral health as they influence the microbiota balance and modulate inflammatory responses. The relationship between dietary patterns (DPs) and oral diseases such as caries and periodontitis has garnered significant scientific attention. Objective. This review aims to analyze the impact of various DPs, nutrients, and supplementation with probiotics and prebiotics on oral health and microbiota modulation. Design: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases for clinical studies published between 2010 and 2024. A total of 514 articles were retrieved, 78 were evaluated at the full-text level, and 22 original clinical studies were included based on eligibility criteria. These studies were grouped into three categories: dietary interventions without supplementation, probiotic/prebiotic supplementation, and combined strategies. Results: Healthy DPs, such as the Mediterranean and vegetarian diets, showed anti-inflammatory effects and positively modulated oral microbiota by reducing pathogenic species linked to oral diseases. In contrast, high sugar consumption was associated with increased acidogenic bacterial species and dental caries. Probiotics, particularly strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, demonstrated therapeutic benefits in managing gingivitis, halitosis, and caries, while prebiotics supported the growth of beneficial bacteria, complementing probiotic efficacy. Discussion: Nutritional interventions modulate oral microbiota by shifting microbial profiles toward eubiosis and attenuating inflammatory responses. The effectiveness of probiotics appears to be strain-dependent and may vary with host conditions, while prebiotics support their colonization and metabolic activity. Conclusion: Dietary interventions directly influence oral health by modulating microbiota composition and inflammatory responses. Probiotics show clinical promise, though their long-term, strain-specific effects need further study. Prebiotics may enhance these benefits by supporting probiotic activity. A diet rich in plant-based foods and bioactive compounds, combined with targeted supplementation, represents a viable strategy to promote oral health and microbiota balance.

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a multisystemic disorder that presents an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern and is characterized by the presence of growth of hamartomas (tumors) in the brain, eyes, skin, kidneys, heart and lung. Objective: To analyze the literature on TSC, its etiology, prevalence, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment. Methodology: Articles published at MEDLINE/PubMed and ScienceDirect were analyzed, with an emphasis on the last 5 years. Articles were evaluated with the PRISMA and AMSTAR guidelines. The search was carried out using the words

Las enfermedades bucodentales son un importante problema de salud pública y se encuentran entre las más prevalentes a nivel mundial. La caries dental es la enfermedad más común de la cavidad bucal ocupando el primer lugar, pone en peligro al ser humano durante toda su vida, no sólo durante la infancia o la adolescencia, siendo la causa más común de pérdida de dientes y dolor en la cavidad bucal. Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) es la principal bacteria asociada al desarrollo de caries dental, se adhiere a la superficie del diente y provoca la formación de biopelículas, a partir de los azúcares de la dieta sintetiza glucanos que contribuyen en la fijación a la superficie dental liberando ácidos que desmineralizan el tejido dentario y desarrollan caries dental. El control mecánico de la placa, la higiene bucal diaria y el uso de agentes antimicrobianos en dentífricos y colutorios contribuyen a inhibir la acumulación de placa y el crecimiento de biopelículas dentales. Sin embargo, la importancia de explorar agentes antimicrobianos a partir de compuestos naturales contribuirá a proporcionar tratamientos nuevos y eficaces para la prevención de las enfermedades bucodentales.