Evaluation of effects of Zingiber officinale on salivation in rats

There are some herbal plants in Iranian traditional system of medicine which are believed to be excellent remedies to alleviate the symptoms of xerostomia. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of systemic administration of seven different herbal extracts on the rate of salivation in rats. The extracts of 7 herbs; Zingiber officinale Roscoe [Zingiberaceae], Citrus sinensis [L.] Osbeck [Rutaceae], Artemisia absinthium L. [Asteraceae], Cichorium intybus L. [Asteraceae], Pimpinella anisum L.[Apiaceae], Portulaca oleracea L.[Portulacaceae], Tribulus terrestris L. [Zygophyllaceae] were prepared. Nine groups of animals [including negative and positive control groups] were used and seven rats were tested in each group. After the injection of extracts, saliva volume was measured gravimetrically in four continuous sevenminute intervals. The results showed that after injection of ginger extracts salivation was significantly higher as compared to the negative control group and other herbal extracts in all of the four intervals [P<0.01]. The peak action of the ginger was during the first 7-minute interval and following this, salivation decreased to some extent. The present study suggests that the extract of Zingiber offiicianle can increase the rate of salivation significantly in animal model. Further investigations on different constituents of ginger seem to be essential to identify the responsible constituent for stimulation of saliva secretion

[ frequency of oral candidal infection in Kerman dental clinics]

This investigation was designed to evaluate the frequency of oral candidosis in patients of Kerman dental clinics. In this descriptive - analytical study, 318 patients were evaluated for oral candidosis. The diagnosis of candidosis was established by clinical signs in conjunction with exfoliative cytologic examination. The statistical tests were included chi - square, t test and fisher's exact test. This study showed that 21.4% [68 out of 318] of the study population had candidal infection. There was a significant correlation between sex, age, cigarette smoking, burning sensation of the mouth and wearing of complete denture with candidosis [P<0.05]. Cytologic smears were positive in 87.4% of the study population. Positive cytologic smears were found in 63.5% of patients without suspected clinical signs of candidosis. Since some candidal strains may have the potential to promote the development of oral cancer, the relative high frequency of candidosis in this study should be noticed. As cigarette smoking and denture wearing were associated with the candidal infection, public information about the importance of regular rinsing of the appliance with a dilute solution of household bleach and harmful effects of cigarette smoking should be raised. Meanwhile this study confirms that the presence of hyphae in oral cytologic smears alone not to be considered as a criterion for diagnosis of candidosis

[Formulation and clinical evaluation of Myrtus Mucoadhesive paste in the treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis]

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis [RAS] is an oral lesion with high prevalence. Its management is directed toward treatment of symptoms. Myrtle is an herbal drug that has been used for RAS treatment during last years. Its essential oil has antiseptic and antimicrobial properties. One of the best factors in the treatment of aphthous lesion is, remaining of drug in location, so, a dosage form was tried to design that can hold the drug for a long time in location. For this purpose mucoadhesive drug delivery system was selected. This study was a double blind randomized clinical trial. The essential oil was extracted from myrtle leaf by using water in Clevenger apparatus. Oral mucoadhesive paste was prepared by compounding of sodium carboxy methyl cellulose, pectin and gelatin in plastibase. The best formulations were selected for clinical trial. In this double blind clinical trial, individuals were divided into two groups, A and B that received Mocuadhesive paste containing myrtle essence and mucoadhesive paste without drug as placebo, respectively. The size of lesions was measured by periodontal probe at 1, 2, 6 and 10 days. Also by use of VAS scale, daily pain was measured at 10 days period. The time of burning sensation relief in A and B groups were 1.64 +/- 0.74 and 4.91 +/- 1.30 days respectively, which there was significant difference between the two groups [P<0.001]. The mean of lesion size in group A were 0.14 +/- 0.36 and in group B 2.73 +/- 1.68 [mm] in sixth day [P<0.001]. The Mocuadhesive paste containing myrtle essential oil is a suitable formulation for treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with regard to its adhesive properties, the reduced time of burning sensation and the reduced size of lesion, significantly