Antiurolithic effect of olive oil in a mouse model of ethylene glycol-induced urolithiasis.

PURPOSE: At present, commercially available antiurolithic drugs have more adverse effects than potential therapeutic or preventive effects with chronic use. With this in mind, the present study was designed to assess the antiurolithic effect of olive oil in a mouse model of ethylene glycol (EG)-induced urolithiasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult albino mice were divided into 6 groups. Group I was fed the vehicle only. Group II was supplemented with 0.75% EG alone in drinking water during the experimental period to initiate deposition of calcium oxalate in kidneys, which leads to urolithiasis in animals. Groups III (olive oil control group) through V were fed olive oil orally at various doses during the experimental period. Group VI received cystone (750 mg/kg). Groups IV-VI additionally received 0.75% EG in drinking water ad libitum. SPSS ver.17.0 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The study results showed significantly higher levels of serum urea, uric acid, and creatinine (p<0.05) in group II than in groups III-VI and I. Administration of olive oil at different doses restored the elevated serum parameters in groups IV and V compared with group II. Urine and kidney calcium, oxalate, and phosphate levels in groups IV-VI were significantly lower (p<0.05) than in animals with EG-induced urolithiasis (group II). Group V mice showed a significant restoration effect on serum as well as urine and kidney parameters compared with group II. CONCLUSIONS: Supplementation with olive oil (1.7 mL/kg body weight) reduced and prevented the growth of urinary stones, possibly by inhibiting renal tubular membrane damage due to peroxidative stress induced by hyperoxaluria.

Variation of antioxidant activity and phenolic content of some common home remedies with storage time.

The variation of antioxidant activity and total phenolic content of some plants commonly used as home remedies were screened on the basis of air drying time of (short term and long term air) the dried plant Ocimum sanctum (leaf), Cucumis sativus (Seed), and ethanolic extracts of Capsicum frutescens (Seed) and Coriandrum sativum (Seed). Antioxidant activities and total phenolic content values were estimated using DPPH reagent and Folin Ciocalteu reagent methods respectively. The antioxidant activity in short term air dried Ocimum sanctum plant methanol extract (IC50 = 0.03 ± 0.01 mg/l) was the highest among the other plant extracts. However, Coriandrum sativum plant ethanol extract produced higher phenolic content (70.24±3.4/66.57±4.1 mg/g) than other plant extracts. It was found that there was no correlation between antioxidant and phenolic content of these plant extracts.

Knowledge, practice and awareness of oral hygiene among three different age populations of same ethnic group: a community based study

Aim: The objective of this study is to compare the knowledge, practice and awareness of oral hygiene among three different age groups (15-30, 30-45 and 45-60-year-olds) of the Saudi population in Sakaka. Methods: 629 subjects aged between 15-60 years were randomly selected. Data were collected by self-administered structured questionnaires and analysis was done using the SPSS statistical software. The subjects were divided in to A group (e”30 years), B group (d”31 years - e”45 years) and C group (d”46 years). Results: 30.7% (A group) of subjects preferred commercial bush to clean their teeth (p<0.001), while 5.9% (B and C groups) choose Miswak for cleaning. Group B people preferred brushing only in the morning (24.5%), while 16.5% of group A respondents preferred brushing twice a day. 23.1% of group A subjects responded that brushing regularly was the ideal way to avoid caries (p<0.05). 51.8% of all age groups had no idea on the effects of fluoride on caries disease. The reason to visit dentist was mainly for extraction (30.5%) followed by pain relief (28.9%). 62.62% (p<0.05) subjects had carious lesions, whereas 56.6% subjects had fractured teeth. The use of tobacco (16.7%) was highly prevalent in group B subjects (p<0.05). Tea consumption among A group subjects (49.6%) more than other age groups (p<0.001). 81.2% subjected were free from gingival bleeding (p<0.05). Most of the people (48.6%) preferred frequent dental camps in response to their opinion to improve dental facilities in Sakaka, Al-Jouf. Conclusions: The present study shows that poorer knowledge and oral health conditions among 30-45-year-old subjects (B group) compared to the other two groups. Generally, these data may be important in the evaluation of the past and planning of future oral health prevention and treatment programs targeting the high-risk populations.