Exploring the Antimicrobial Potential and Cytotoxic Effects of Different Brassica oleracea Varieties.

INTRODUCTION:  Dental caries has become a substantial global health burden, and many techniques have been used in dentistry to protect the tooth from decay. Brassica oleracea is a green cruciferous vegetable with a good source of vitamins C, K and E, which are also effective antibiotics and antioxidants. These characteristics will shield the oral cavity from pathogenic onslaught and can be considered during the formulation of antimicrobial mouthwash, toothpaste, or dental sealants. MATERIALS AND METHODS:  B. oleracea extract was prepared by heating and condensing the red and green cabbage. Both extracts were assessed for antimicrobial activity (antibacterial and antifungal activities) and cytotoxicity. After incubation, the zone of inhibition was calculated for antibacterial activity and the number of live nauplii for cytotoxicity.  Results: The extract from red cabbage was found to have more effective antibacterial properties than that from green cabbage. The red B. oleracea extract formed the highest zone of inhibition against Candida albicans (20 mm), followed by Enterococcus faecalis (15 mm) and Streptococcus mutans (9 mm). In contrast, the green cabbage extract formed the highest inhibition against E. faecalis (12 mm). The cytotoxicity increases with increased concentration, with the highest toxicity at 20 µL for both extracts.  Conclusion: The properties of B. oleracea can be utilized in dental products such as toothpaste, mouthwash, and dental sealants due to their antibacterial effects. By incorporating B. oleracea extracts into these products, oral health professionals may soon have additional tools to promote oral hygiene and prevent oral infections, offering a natural and effective alternative to traditional oral care ingredients.

Fabrication of Periodontal Membrane From Nelumbo nucifera: A Novel Approach for Dental Applications.

Background The periodontal membrane plays a crucial role in tooth support and maintenance. Natural materials with biocompatible and bioactive properties are of interest for periodontal membrane fabrication. Nelumbo nucifera, known for its therapeutic properties, presents a potential source for such materials. Aim This study aimed to fabricate a periodontal membrane from N. nucifera and evaluate its biocompatibility and potential for periodontal tissue regeneration. Materials and methods N. nucifera stems were collected dried, and aqueous extract was prepared. The extracted material was then processed into a membrane scaffold using a standardized fabrication method. The fabricated membrane was characterized by its physical and chemical properties. Biocompatibility was assessed using human periodontal ligament fibroblast (hPDLF) cells cultured on the membrane, followed by viability, proliferation, and anti-microbial assays. Results The fabricated N. nucifera membrane exhibited a porous structure with suitable mechanical properties for periodontal membrane application. The membrane supported the adhesion, viability, and proliferation of hPDLF cells in vitro. Conclusion The fabrication of a periodontal membrane from N. nucifera shows promise as a natural and biocompatible material for periodontal tissue regeneration. Further studies are warranted to explore its clinical potential in periodontal therapy.

Quantification of the Bioactivity of Ethanolic Extract From Phoenix dactylifera.

AIM: This study aims to quantitatively assess the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of the ethanolic extract of Phoenix dactylifera seeds. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Around 30 seeds of Phoenix dactylifera were collected, crushed, and powdered; 10 gm of powder was added to 100 ml of ethanolic extract and boiled for further analysis. Egg albumin denaturation assay and hydroxyl radical scavenging assay were done to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity, respectively. An independent t-test was used to compare the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential of the ethanolic extract of Phoenix dactylifera using SPSS Statistics version 22.0 (IBM Corp. Released 2013. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 22.0; Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.), and values less than 0.05 are considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The seeds of Phoenix dactylifera have potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties improved with higher concentrations and were comparable to the control substances diclofenac sodium, vitamin E, and ascorbic acid, respectively. The most significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect was observed at a dosage of 50 µL, with a p-value of 0.001. CONCLUSION: To conclude, we found that the ethanolic extract of Phoenix dactylifera has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity, which can further be used for the improvement of pharmaceuticals.

Analysis of Spatial and Biochemical Characteristics of In Vitro Cariogenic Biofilms.

Background Dental caries is the most common bacterial disease of calcified tissues of teeth. Cariogenic biofilms formed on the tooth surface secrete organic acids and thus result in demineralization. Delving into the depth of biofilms is crucial to understand the pathogenic mechanisms and design improved therapeutic approaches. The aim of the study is to analyze the spatial and biochemical characteristics of cariogenic biofilms. Materials and methods Pulp tissue samples sourced from freshly extracted third molars were incubated with oral cariogenic bacteria namely Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Entamoeba faecalis, and Candida albicans to form the biofilm. Spatial assessment of biofilms was done under FESEM (field emission scanning electron microscope, JSM-IT800, JEOL, Tokyo, Japan). FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Alpha II, Bruker, Germany) spectra were assessed for chemical molecular interactions in 24- and 48-hour time periods.  Results Morphological assessment with FESEM revealed rapid growth and aggregation within a short time period. FTIR spectra to analyze chemical constituents of biofilm presented with varied peaks of water, amide A, amide I, water, lipids, and phospholipids. Conclusion Further validation with more advanced imaging for an extended time period is vital to derive better conclusive evidence.

Assessment of Female Hormonal Influence on COVID-19 Vaccine Response: A Prospective Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION: The diversity of oral epithelial cells offers potential viral infection sites. The lower level of ACE2 inhibitors in women's blood renders them more resistant to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In order to determine the effect of COVID-19 vaccination on female hormones, salivary levels of total antibody, immunoglobulin G (IgG), and cortisol were measured in young and elderly women. METHODS: Saliva samples from 88 participants were collected and subjected to ELISA for detecting total antibody, IgG, and cortisol. RESULTS: Women who were infected with COVID-19 and who completed two doses of vaccination had more IgG antibodies when compared to the uninfected individuals/single-dose/non-vaccinated individuals. The cortisol levels in post-menopausal women were higher than those in women with normal menstrual cycles, and the difference was statistically significant (P-value 0.00). The increased cortisol levels were well correlated with increased levels of IgG antibodies which was statistically significant (Spearman rho P value 0.00) Conclusions: COVID variants will continue to mutate and evolve as long as the epidemic persists. The higher cortisol and IgG antibodies produced by female hormones protect them from COVID-19 infection.

Targeted Drug Designing for Treating Masticatory Myofascial Pain Dysfunction Syndrome: An In Silico Simulation Study.

Background Masticatory Myofascial Pain Dysfunction Syndrome (MMPDS) is a musculoligamentous disorder that shares similarities with temporomandibular joint pain and odontogenic pain. It manifests as dull or aching pain in masticatory muscles, influenced by jaw movement. Computer-aided drug design (CADD) encompasses various theoretical and computational approaches used in modern drug discovery. Molecular docking is a prominent method in CADD that facilitates the understanding of drug-bimolecular interactions for rational drug design, mechanistic studies & the formation of stable complexes with increased specificity and potential efficacy. The docking technique provides valuable insights into binding energy, free energy, and complex stability predictions. Aim The aim of this study was to use the docking technique for myosin inhibitors. Materials and methods Four inhibitors of myosin were chosen from the literature. These compound structures were retrieved from the Zinc15 database. Myosin protein was chosen as the target and was optimized using the RCSB Protein Data Bank. After pharmacophore modeling, 20 novel compounds were found and the SwissDock was used to dock them with the target protein. We compared the binding energies of the newly discovered compounds to those of the previously published molecules with the target. Results The results indicated that among the 20 molecules ZINC035924607 and ZINC5110352 exhibited the highest binding energy and displayed superior properties compared to the other molecules. Conclusion The study concluded that ZINC035924607 and ZINC5110352 exhibited greater binding affinity than the reported inhibitors of myosin. Therefore, these two molecules can be used as a potential and promising lead for the treatment of MMPDS and could be employed in targeted drug therapy.

Encapsulation of Lidocaine nanoparticles in Gadus morhua derived lipoic acid.

Local Anesthetics are used clinically for anesthesia and analgesia either following surgery or for management of acute and chronic pain conditions. Liposomal Encapsulation aids in improved delivery at the tissue level. This paper deals with formulation and characterization of Gadus morhua derived liposome encapsulated Lidocaine nanoparticles. Materials and methods: Water Soluble liposomes were synthesized and encapsulated to lidocaine. The prepared liposomes were assessed using field emission scanning electron microscope, TEM, FTIR, Zetapotential, Anti-inflammatory property and Drug release kinetics. Results: The structural and morphological characters of the conjugated liposomes were studied using SEM & TEM, surface charge Zetapotential. The cumulative drug release was studied for up to 72 h in which more than 70 % of the drug was released from the Liposomal nanoparticles. FTIR revealed similar functional groups like the control. Stability of the drug was superior than the control. Conclusion: Liposomal conjugation delays the drug release which can be used in slow release applications. Improving the drug release kinetics can be advantageous in many chronic pain conditions. Additionally, the changes in the functional groups can also aid in reduction or masking of bitterness.

Synthesis and Characterization of Epigallocatechin Gallate-mediated Hydroxyapatite.

INTRODUCTION: Hydroxyapatite is a significant material that finds its application in the field of dental and bone tissue engineering. METHOD: The formulation of nanohydroxyapatite with the aid of bioactive compounds has gained importance in recent years due to the beneficial activity contributed by them. The present work focuses on the formulation of nanohydroxyapatite synthesis using epigallocatechin gallate, an active biochemical component of green tea. RESULT: The prepared epigallocatechin gallate-mediated nanohydroxyapatite (epi-HAp) was nanoglobular in shape and composed of calcium, phosphorous, carbon and oxygen, which was confirmed by Scanning electron microscope- energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX). The Attenuated Total Reflection-Infra red spectroscopy (ATR-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) assured that the reduction and stabilisation of nanohydroxyapatite were mediated by epigallocatechin gallate. CONCLUSION: The epi-HAp exhibited anti-inflammatory behaviour along with nil effect on cytotoxicity. To be precise, the epi-HAp can be an effective biomaterial in bone and dental applications.

COVID-19 Vaccines and the Efficacy of Currently Available Vaccines Against COVID-19 Variants.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is the seventh member of the Coronaviridiae family of viruses, which are thought to be transmitted by Chinese horseshoe bats. The virus undergoes mutations leading to variants such as B.1.1.7 (alpha), B.1.351 (beta), P.1 (gamma), and B.1.617 (delta), as well as the recent variant B.1.1.529 (omicron), which has around 30 deletions, making it a severely mutated form that lowers vaccination-induced protection. Vaccine efficacy is usually expressed as relative risk reduction, which is based on the ratio of attack rates with and without a vaccine, whereas absolute risk reduction is based on the entire population. Rather than two doses, recent research suggests that a third dose/booster dose may aid in protection against future variants. The constant influx of mutant variations is putting a strain on vaccine production. Despite the challenges, we are optimistic that the epidemic will be eradicated by achieving mass immunity and by ensuring that everyone receives vaccines at a faster rate.

Expression of ameloblastin in the human tooth germ and ameloblastoma.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the immunohistochemical expression of ameloblastin in the bell stage of tooth germ and compare with ameloblastoma to determine the level of differentiation of tumour cells. STUDY DESIGN: This study included eleven human tooth germs with four in the early and seven in the late bell stage, and six selected archival tissue samples of ameloblastomas were studied using haematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome and ameloblastin. RESULTS: All eleven tooth germs reacted positively to ameloblastin with a characteristic inverted and sequential pattern of expression in the acellular zone of the dental papilla and enamel organ. Of the six cases of ameloblastoma, five cases showed a variable level of expression of ameloblastin in the tumour cells, whereas in one case, ameloblastin was negative in the tumour cells but positive in the stromal fibrous tissue collar. CONCLUSION: Expression of ameloblastin in human tooth germ is related to differentiation and mineralization, and it correlates with the state of differentiation of the tumour cells in ameloblastoma.