Chandamarutha Chenduram, an Indian traditional Siddha preparation attenuated the neuronal degeneration in ischemic mice through ameliorating cytokines and oxy-radicals mediated EAAT-2 dysfunction.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Chandamarutha Chenduram (CC), an Indian traditional Siddha preparation officially recorded in the Siddha formulary of India and its composition are widely used in the Siddha practice of neurological disorders like stroke/paralysis in India. However, the scientific validation and mechanistic evidence is lacking and yet to be elucidated. AIM OF THE STUDY: To establish the scientific evidences and to explore the possible neuroprotective mechanism of CC in cerebral ischemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Chemical standardization of the CC was performed using atomic absorption spectroscopy and gravimetric analysis. Acute toxicity study for CC in mice was performed in accordance with OECD 423 guidelines. CC (5 mg/kg) and CC (10 mg/kg) were investigated in bilateral common carotid occlusion (BCCAo) model in mice. After, behavioral assessments, the brain samples were collected and the hippocampus region was micro-dissected for neurotransmitter, neurobiochemicals and inflammatory cytokines estimation. The excitatory amino acid transporter-2 (EAAT-2) expressions was analyzed by RT-PCR to understand the possible molecular mechanism. In addition, hematoxylin and eosin staining of CA1 hippocampal brain region was performed to support the neuroprotective effect of CC in ischemic condition. RESULTS: Chemical standardization analysis showed that CC has acceptable range of mercury (0.82 ppm) and elemental sulphur (11% w/w). Also, other heavy metal limits were found to be less or not detectable. Toxicity study also evidenced the safety profile of CC. CC has significantly reversed the behavioral dysfunctions (p < 0.001) in global ischemic mice. Treatment with CC has attenuated the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate, lipid peroxide, nitric oxide, cytokines (IL-1ß, TNF-α) (p < 0.001) and increased the antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GSH) and EAAT-2 expression level (p < 0.001) in ischemic brain. The hematoxylin and eosin staining in CA1 region of hippocampus also evidence the neuroprotective effect exhibited by CC. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with CC has exhibited dose dependent effect and CC10 has shown significant protective effect in comparison to CC5 in most of the parameters studied. CC prevented further degeneration of neurons in cerebral ischemic mice through ameliorating inflammatory cytokines and oxy-radicals mediated EAAT-2 dysfunction and subsequent excitotoxicity in neurons.

The Effects of Various Final Irrigants on the Bond Strength of Root Dentin Exposed to Chloroform: An In vitro Study.

AIM: The aim of the study was to assess the reaction of different final irrigants to the bond strength of root dentin exposed to chloroform. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty extracted maxillary central incisors were selected. Working length was determined, and canal was instrumented with ProTaper rotary system (Dentsply Maillefer) till F4 file. The specimens were then divided into five groups (n = 10). Group 1: not disclosed to any root canal solvent, Group 2: disclosed to chloroform for 5 min, Group 3: chloroform for 5 min followed by absolute alcohol, Group 4: chloroform for 5 min followed by chlorhexidine (CHX), And Group 5 - chloroform for 5 min followed by saline. The canals were obturated with F4 gutta-percha cones with AH Plus sealer. The samples will be sectioned horizontally into 1 ± 0.1 mm thick slices. The push-out bond strength was performed in a universal testing machine. Results were statistically analyzed by one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: There existed a significant difference between the mean push-out bond strength of different groups. Irrigation with chloroform negatively affected the bonding between root canal sealer and root dentine. Absolute alcohol significantly improved the bond strength values. CONCLUSION: Exposure with chloroform during the retreatment will decrease the bonding between sealer (AH Plus) and root dentine. The use of absolute alcohol as a final irrigant improved the bonding between sealer and dentin. CHX and saline showed no improvement in bond strength.