An efficient approach for the isolation, identification and evaluation of antimicrobial plant components on an analytical scale, demonstrated by the example of Radix imperatoriae.

Using Radix imperatoriae (the root of masterwort) as an example, we describe an efficient approach for the isolation, identification and evaluation of bioactive plant components on an analytical scale. The extraction of Radix imperatoriae with ethyl acetate was enhanced by the application of ultrasound oscillations. This rhizome extract was applied to three pathogenic bacteria (Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus) to determine its antimicrobial activity. Disk diffusion was utilized to determine susceptibility. The extract components were separated using a series of chromatography approaches (semi-preparative RP-HPLC, or RP-HPLC on an analytical scale), followed by testing. All fractions were analyzed by LC-UV-ESI-MS and 600 MHz microcoil (1)H NMR spectroscopy. Among other findings, in the fraction with the highest antibacterial activity we were able to identify oxypeucedanin and oxypeucedanin hydrate. Subsequent analysis revealed that only oxypeucedanin hydrate had antibacterial activity, whereas oxypeucedanin itself was inactive at the concentrations applied. Furthermore, oxypeucedanin hydrate appears to be largely, or exclusively, a by-product of sample preparation, since it is either not synthesized by the plant as a second metabolite or is produced by it in only very small quantities.

Radicular peroxide penetration from carbamide peroxide gels during intracoronal bleaching.

AIM: To evaluate and compare radicular peroxide diffusion from different concentrations of carbamide peroxide bleaching gels. METHODOLOGY; Fifty maxillary premolar teeth were separated into five groups (n = 10). Standardized endodontic access cavities were prepared in the occlusal surfaces, and the root canals were prepared using a step back technique and filled using the lateral compaction technique. The gutta-percha filling was removed 4 mm short of the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ) and a 2-mm-thick glass-ionomer cement base was placed. Outer root surfaces were sealed with wax and nail polish, leaving the coronal third of the tooth and the CEJ exposed. All teeth were immersed in a plastic tube containing 2 mL of distilled water, and the experimental groups were treated with a bleaching agent of either 10%, 17% or 37% carbamide peroxide (CP) or a mixture of 30% hydrogen peroxide (HP) and sodium perborate (SP) placed into the coronal pulp chamber of teeth and left for 24 h. Peroxide penetration was measured using the ferrothiocyanate method. Statistical analysis of data was conducted by using the Kruskal-Wallis Analysis of Variance and Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: Higher peroxide penetration occurred with the 30% HP-SP mixture than with the CP bleaching gels, and the 37% CP group also promoted greater peroxide penetration than the other CP groups (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between 10% and 17% CP groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Peroxide penetration of CP gels was significantly lower than that of a HP-SP mixture.

Synthesis of diagnostic test kits for syphilis with polymeric particles.

This investigation aimed to derive alternative guidelines for syphilis. In the first step of this study monodisperse PGMA particles were synthesised by dispersion polymerization of the GMA monomer by using AIBN as initiator and PAA as stabilizator. A series of characterization experiments were done. In the second step of the study the characterized particles were used as microcarriers for the immobilization of the natural antigen for the purpose of diagnosing syphilis. The covalent binding method was used and GA was utilized as a spacer arm. The optimum immobilization conditions for the binding of natural antigen onto the particles were determined. In the third and the last step of the study the agglutination tests were realized with in vitro experiments by using both serum samples taken from syphilis patients and positive controls. After these experiments the kits chosen among the ones showing high performance were compared with the commercial RPR kit being used widely by reacting with serially diluted positive controls and patient serums. After this comparison the performances of the synthesized kits were found as satisfactory as the commercial kits.

In vitro peroxide penetration into the pulp chamber from newer bleaching products.

AIM: To investigate peroxide penetration from newer bleaching products into the pulp chamber. METHODOLOGY: Fifty extracted human maxillary central incisor teeth were separated into five groups (n = 10). All the teeth were sectioned 3 mm apical to the cemento-enamel junction; the intracoronal pulp tissue was removed, and the pulp chamber filled with acetate buffer. Buccal crown surfaces of teeth in the experimental groups were subjected to either a whitening strip (containing 5.3% hydrogen peroxide-G1) or one of three paint-on liquid whiteners (containing 19% sodium percarbonate peroxide-G2, 18% carbamide peroxide-G3 and 8.7% hydrogen peroxide-G4). The teeth in the control group (G5) were exposed only to distilled water. The acetate buffer solution in each tooth was then transferred to a glass test tube after 30 min and leuco-crystal violet and enzyme horseradish peroxidase were added, producing a blue solution. The optical density of the resultant blue colour in the tubes was measured by a UV-visible spectrophotometer at a wavelength of 596 nm. The values were converted into microgram equivalents of HP using a spectrophotometric calibration curve. Data were analysed statistically using the Kruskal-Wallis Analysis of Variance and the Mann-Whitney U-test. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found between all of the groups (P < 0.05). Pulpal peroxide was not observed in the control group. The amount of hydrogen peroxide (microg) found in the pulp chamber of G1 (0.726 +/- 0.024) > G4 (0.443 +/- 0.017) > G3 (0.231 +/- 0.011) > G2 (0.175 +/- 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: The peroxides from the whitening strip and paint-on whiteners penetrated into the pulp chamber to varying degrees.

Penetration of the pulp chamber by carbamide peroxide bleaching agents on teeth restored with a composite resin.

This in vitro study was performed to evaluate the effect of various concentrations of carbamide peroxide bleaching agents on the pulp chambers of teeth restored by a composite resin. Forty-nine human extracted anterior teeth were used. All the teeth were sectioned 3 mm apical of the cemento-enamel junction and the intracoronal tissue removed. The teeth were separated into the seven groups each containing seven teeth. Twenty-eight teeth were used as controls (groups I-IV), standardized cavities were prepared with the remaining 21 teeth (groups V, VI, VII), and restored with a hybrid composite resin (XR Herculite). Acetate buffer was placed in the pulp chamber to absorb and stabilize any peroxide that might penetrate. Group I was exposed only to distilled water. Groups II and V were applied with 10% CP (Contrast PM), groups III and VI were applied with 15% CP (Contrast PM), groups IV and VII were applied with 35% CP (Quik Start) and left for 30 min at 37 degrees C. Then, the acetate buffer solution in the pulp chamber of each tooth was removed and the chamber was then rinsed twice with 100 ml of distilled water. The contents then had leucocryctal violet and enzyme horseradish peroxidase added. The optical density of the resulting blue solution was determined spectrophotometrically, and was converted into microgram equivalents of hydrogen peroxide. A higher level of bleaching agent penetrated into the pulp chamber in the restored teeth than in the sound teeth.

Penetration of the pulp chamber by bleaching agents in teeth restored with various restorative materials.

It is thought that externally applied bleaching agents may penetrate into the pulp chamber. This study was conducted to evaluate the diffusion of peroxide bleaching agents into the pulp chamber of teeth restored with various restorative materials. Sixty-five human extracted anterior maxillary teeth were separated into the 13 groups containing 5 teeth. Five teeth (control group) were not subjected to any cavity preparation and restoration. Standardized class V cavities were prepared in the other 60 teeth and restored using composite resin (Charisma), polyacid modified composite resin (Dyract), or resin-modified glass ionomer cement (Vitremer). All teeth were sectioned 3 mm apical to the cementoenamel junction to remove the intracoronal pulp tissue, and the pulp chamber was filled with acetate buffer to absorb and stabilize any peroxide that might penetrate. Vestibular crown surfaces of teeth in the experimental groups were subjected to four different bleaching agents for 30 min at 37 degrees C, whereas the teeth in the control groups were exposed only to distilled water. Then the acetate buffer solution in the pulp chamber of each tooth was removed, and the pulp chamber of each tooth was rinsed with 100 ml of distilled water twice. Leukocrystal violet and enzyme horseradish peroxidase were added to the mixture of the acetate buffer and rinse water. The optical density of the resulting blue solution was determined spectrophotometrically and converted into microgram equivalents of hydrogen peroxide. Higher hydrogen peroxide concentrations resulted in a higher pulpal peroxide penetration. The highest pulpal peroxide penetration was found in resin-modified glass ionomer cement groups, whereas composite resin groups showed the lowest pulpal peroxide penetration.

[Antibacterial properties of two conventional and two high copper dental amalgams]. / Iki konvensiyonel ve iki yüksek bakirli amlagamin antibakteriyal etkileri.

Two conventional and two high copper dental amalgams (Non gamma 2) has been investigated for their antibacterial properties. The high copper dental amalgam, Ana 2000 possessed a very small range of antibacterial propertie against Lac. acidophilus and Staph. epidermidis, while other amalgams found to have no antibacterial activity against the ten tested microorganism strains.