Accelerated wound healing induced by spinach extract in experimental model diabetic rats with streptozotocin.

Patients with diabetes often have difficult-to-heal wounds. Spinacia oleracea extract comprises anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative compounds; this research, therefore, studied the impact of Spinacia oleracea extracts on ulcer regeneration. This study was conducted on 72 adult Wistar rats (200 [Formula: see text] 20 g). They were randomly divided into six groups of twelve. A: Diabetic group receiving normal saline. B: Non-diabetic group receiving normal saline. C: Diabetic group receiving spinach aqueous extract. D: Diabetic group receiving spinach alcoholic extract. E: preventive group that received aqueous extract for 2 months. F: preventive group that received alcoholic extract for 2 months. Ulcer regeneration, vascular endothelium growth factor, blood sugar, and weight changes were measured on days 3, 7, 14, 21, and 30. Macroscopic investigation of the wounds non-diabetic control group, diabetic group, as well as spinach aqueous and alcoholic extract groups, were compared and there were significant changes (P < 0.05). Pathologic examination in the spinach aqueous and alcoholic extract groups, and nondiabetic group than in the diabetic group revealed significant advances (P < 0.05). On the third and seventh days, Vascular endothelium growth factor detected significant differences between groups (P < 0.05). Results indicate that, in regenerating diabetic ulcers, Spinacia oleracea may be effective. It influences the ulcer structure and speed.

Evaluation of Toothpaste Containing Aqueous Saffron Stigma Extract on Gingival Indices in Patients with Marginal Generalized Plaque-Induced Gingivitis.

BACKGROUND: Gingivitis is an inflammatory disease involving the gums. Saffron contains various forms of flavonoids, glycosides, and anthocyanin compounds that are proven to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. This study evaluates the anti-inflammatory effects of Saffron stigma on gingival indices in patients with marginal generalized plaque-induced gingivitis. METHODS: For this study, we used toothpaste containing aqueous extract of Saffron stigma. Twenty-two patients with generalized marginal gingivitis were selected. Patients were randomly divided into two equal groups of test and placebo. In each group the pocket depth index (PD), gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI) and bleeding of probing index (BOP) were measured before and one month after use. Independent t-test, Mann-Whitney test and Wilcoxon test were used for statistical analysis (P<0.05). RESULTS: The comparison between gingival indices before and one month after toothpaste usage showed a significant decrease in some measured indices at the end of the study. Saffron stigma treated group had a significant difference in reducing GI and BOP indices in comparison with the placebo group (P<0.05). However, the difference for PD and PI indices was not statistically significant (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: In this study, it was found that using aqueous extract of Saffron stigma flower containing toothpaste might have a positive effect on some gingival indices in patients with gingivitis.