Contribution of Secondary Metabolites to the Gastroprotective Effect of Aqueous Extract of Ximenia americana L. (Olacaceae) Stem Bark in Rats.

Ximenia americana L. (Olacaceae) is used in ethnomedicine as cicatrizant and for the treatment of gastric disorders. This study identified the chemical constituents of the aqueous extract of X. americana (XaAE) and evaluated its antiulcerogenic activity. After lyophilization, XaAE was analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and its antiulcerogenic effect was evaluated in acute gastric lesions induced by ethanol, acidified ethanol, and indomethacin. Antisecretory action, mucus production and the participation of sulfhydryl groups (-SH) and nitric oxide (NO) were also investigated. The chromatographic analysis identified procyanidins B and C and catechin/epicatechin as major compounds. Oral administration of XaAE (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) inhibited the gastric lesions induced by ethanol (76.1%, 77.5% and 100%, respectively), acidified ethanol (44.9%, 80.6% and 94.9%, respectively) and indomethacin (56.4%, 52.7% and 64.9%, respectively). XaAE reduced gastric contents and acidity (51.4% and 67.7%, respectively) but did not alter the production of gastric mucus. The reduction of the -SH and NO groups promoted by N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) and Nω-nitro-l-arginine-methyl-ester (L-NAME) respectively, reduced the gastroprotective effect of XaAE. In conclusion, XaAE has gastroprotective activity mediated in part by -SH, NO and antisecretory activity. This antiulcer action was initially correlated to its major constituents, procyanidins B and C and catechin/epicatechin.

Children's Anxiety during Dental Treatment with Minimally Invasive Approaches: Findings of an Analytical Cross-sectional Study

Objective: To assess children's anxiety before, during and after dental treatment with minimally invasive approaches: Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART) and Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) application. Material and Methods: This analytical crosssectional study, in which 1306 children were initially examined, and from these, those that had at least one deciduous molar with dentin caries (score 5 ICDAS) were selected, being indicated to ART and SDF treatments. The final sample consisted of 94 children, 46 girls and 48 boys, aged between 6 and 8 years old. Each child received an ART or SDF procedure, and in all interventions, operators and treatments were randomized. Dental anxiety was assessed by facial image scale (FIS) before, during and after minimally invasive approaches. Results: Dental anxiety prevalence was of 34% before the minimally invasive approaches. Children showed a higher anxiety level during interventions (ART and SDF). And, after the service was finished, there was an increase in children with high anxiety, which ranged from 3.1% (before treatment) to 9.6% (after treatment). However, there was no statistically significant difference in the anxiety related to the types of treatment and conformation of the cavities (class I and II). Conclusion: Both child groups had higher anxiety levels during treatments, both in ART and SDF approaches.