Use of Traditional Indian Plants in the Inhibition of Caries-Causing Bacteria - Streptococcus mutans

The aim of the study was to comparatively evaluate the antibacterial activity of six Indian plant extracts and 0.2% chlorhexidine against clinical strains of Streptococcus mutans, which were isolated from the plaque samples of 45 pediatric patients. Six plant extracts were prepared in three different forms, namely aqueous extracts, organic solvent-based extracts and crude (raw) extracts. The antimicrobial sensitivity testing was done by agar well diffusion method. Antimicrobial activity of the extracts was determined by measuring the mean zones of inhibition (mm) produced against the bacterial isolates. Results showed that crude garlic extract exhibited greater antibacterial activity than chlorhexidine. Aqueous extract of amla and organic solvent-based extract of ginger showed the maximum antibacterial activity against S. mutans, whereas aqueous extract of tulsi and organic solvent based extract of amla showed the minimum antibacterial activity. This study suggests that plant extracts like garlic in crude form, amla as aqueous infusion and ginger as alcoholic tincture have potential for the control of S. mutans. These extracts can be used as an alternative remedy for dental caries prevention or in the form of mouthwash, which is safe and economical.

O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar comparativamente a atividade antibacteriana de seis plantas indianas contra linhagens clínicas de Streptococcus mutans, que foram isoladas das amostras de biofilme dental de 45 pacientes pediátricos, com 0,2% de clorexidina. Seis extratos vegetais foram preparados em três formas diferentes, a saber, extratos aquosos, extratos à base de solventes orgânicos e extratos brutos. Os testes de sensibilidade antimicrobiana foram realizados por método de difusão em agar. A atividade antimicrobiana dos extratos foi determinada através da medição da zona de inibição, em milímetros, produzida contra os isolados bacterianos. Os resultados mostraram que o extrato de alho cru apresentou maior atividade antibacteriana do que a clorexidina. O extrato aquoso de amla e o extrato à base de solventes orgânicos de gengibre mostraram a máxima atividade antibacteriana contra S. mutans, enquanto o extrato aquoso de tulsi (manjericão) e o extrato à base de solventes orgânicos de amla mostraram mínima atividades antibacteriana. Este estudo sugere que extratos de plantas como o alho em forma bruta, amla como infusão aquosa e gengibre como tintura alcoólica tem um potencial para o controle de S. mutans. Estes extratos podem ser utilizados como uma via alternativa para a prevenção de cáries dentárias ou sob a forma de bochechos, que são seguros e econômicos.

The effect of amlodipine on blood glucose level and its interaction with oral hypoglycemic drugs in albino rabbits.

Background: Amlodipine used as many cardiac conditions esp in hypertension. Diabetes affects cardiovascular system adversely. So this study was done to see effect of amlodipine on blood glucose level and its interaction with commonly used oral hypoglycemic agents in diabetic & non diabetic albino rabbits. Methods: Rabbits were divided into nine groups of 6 rabbits in each group. I and II group were non-diabetic given normal saline and amlodipine respectively. Group III to IX were made diabetic by using alloxan monohydrate (150mg/kg i.p.) & given normal saline, glimepiride, metformin, pioglitazone, amlodipine + glimepiride, amlodipine + metformin and amlodipine + pioglitazone respectively. All drugs were given orally once daily for 7 day except group VII, VIII and IX in which glimepiride, metformin and pioglitazone were added on 7th day. After GTT blood glucose level were measured at 0, 1, 2 and 6 hours on 7th day in all groups by using spectrophotometer. Results: After 7 days of treatment the amlodipine produced significant hyperglycemia in normal rabbits. Amlodipine on combination, causes significant decreased in hypoglycemic effect of glimepiride, significant increased the hypoglycemic effect of metformin, while no significant changes in hypoglycemic effects of pioglitazone in diabetic rabbits. Conclusion: The present study shows that amlodipine causes hyperglycemia in normal rabbits. Amlodipine significantly altered hypoglycemic effect of glimepiride and metformin as compared to control group. If these finding are true to human beings then amlodipine should be use cautiously in diabetic patient on oral hypoglycemic drugs.

Effect of anxiolytics on blood sugar level in rabbits.

Anxiety disorders are more prevalent not only in normal individuals but also in diabetes mellitus. Diazepam, a benzodiazepine, and buspirone, an azaspirodecanedione, are the most often prescribed anxiolytics. Present study was aimed to investigate the effect of diazepam and buspirone on the blood sugar levels in rabbits. Buspirone (0.5 mg/kg/day p.o.) and diazepam (0.6 mg/kg/day p.o.) did not affect the glucose levels in rabbits even after one month of treatment. Present findings suggest that these two anxiolytics have minimal effect on blood sugar control.

Mechanism of haloperidol-induced miosis.

Haloperidol administration (iv) has been shown to produce miosis in dogs. In the present study on rabbits, haloperidol administration (iv) produced dose-related miosis but when administered intracerebroventricularly, it failed to produce any change in pupillary size. Higher degree of miosis was observed when haloperidol was administered directly into the anterior chamber of eye. Haloperidol pretreatment failed to significantly modify the mydriasis produced by phenylephrine or atropine. These observations suggest that the miosis produced by haloperidol is a peripheral effect, and also that the miosis is not mediated through the blockade of alpha adrenoceptors of radial muscles or stimulation of cholinoceptors of circular muscles of iris.

Ocular and orbital metastasis from systemic malignancies.

One hundred and seventy adult patients and one hundred and forty-eight children with systemic malignancies were examined for ocular and/or orbital metastases. Thirty-six patients (11.3%) had intraocular and/or orbital metastasis. Twenty-nine of the 36 patients (80.5%) had orbital metastasis, five patients (13.9%) had intraocular and two patients (5.5%) had intraocular and orbital metastasis. The commonest malignancy producing ocular metastasis was carcinoma breast in females and carcinoma bronchus in males. Eight of the 17 children had orbital deposits from leukaemia (47%) and six from neuroblastoma (35%). One child had uveal infiltration from acute lymphatic leukaemia. Ophthalmic metastasis were treated by external irradiation and/or combination chemotherapy whenever possible. The mean survival was five months for intraocular metastasis and 15.6 months for the orbital metastasis in adults. Prognosis was very poor in children.