Antiemetic effects of sclareol, possibly through 5-HT3 and D2 receptor interaction pathways: In-vivo and in-silico studies.

BACKGROUND: Emesis is a complex physiological phenomenon that serves as a defense against numerous toxins, stressful situations, adverse medication responses, chemotherapy, and movement. Nevertheless, preventing emesis during chemotherapy or other situations is a significant issue for researchers. Hence, the majority view contends that successfully combining therapy is the best course of action. In-vivo analysis offers a more comprehensive grasp of how compounds behave within a complex biological environment, whereas in-silico evaluation refers to the use of computational models to forecast biological interactions. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the effects of Sclareol (SCL) on copper sulphate-induced emetic chicks and to investigate the combined effects of these compounds using a conventional co-treatment approach and in-silico study. METHODS: SCL (5, 10, and 15 mg/kg) administered orally with or without pre-treatment with anti-emetic drugs (Ondansetron (ODN): 24 mg/kg, Domperidone (DOM): 80 mg/kg, Hyoscine butylbromide (HYS): 100 mg/kg, and Promethazine hydrochloride (PRO): 100 mg/kg) to illustrate the effects and the potential involvement with 5HT3, D2, M3/AChM, H1, or NK1 receptors by SCL. Furthermore, an in-silico analysis was conducted to forecast the role of these receptors in the emetic process. RESULTS: The results suggest that SCL exerted a dose-dependent anti-emetic effect on the chicks. Pretreatment with SCL-10 significantly minimized the number of retches and lengthened the emesis tendency of the experimental animals. SCL-10 significantly increased the anti-emetic effects of ODN and DOM. However, compared to the ODN-treated group, (SCL-10 + ODN) group considerably (p < 0.0001) extended the latency duration (109.40 ± 1.03 s) and significantly (p < 0.01) decreased the number of retches (20.00 ± 0.70), indicating an anti-emetic effect on the test animals. In in-silico analysis, SCL exhibited promising binding affinities with suggesting receptors. CONCLUSION: SCL-10 exerted an inhibitory-like effect on emetic chicks, probably through the interaction of the 5HT3 and D2 receptors. Further studies are highly appreciated to validate this study and determine the precise mechanism(s) behind the anti-emetic effects of SCL. We expect that SCL-10 may be utilized as an antiemetic treatment in a single dosage form or that it may function as a synergist with other traditional medicines.

Prevalence of Porphyromonas gingivalis fimA II genotype in generalized aggressive periodontitis patients

Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) and its filmA II genotype in a sample of Brazilian patients with generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP) and to correlate the presence of each pathogen/genotype eith clinical parameters. Methods: We used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to evaluate the presence of Pg and filmA II genotype in subgingival plaque samples collected from the deepest site of 45 Brazilian patients aged 15-40 years with GAgP and correlated findings with age and clinical parameters (plaque index, gingival bleeding index, probing depth and clinical attachment loss). Results: Pg was identified in 64.4% patients. FilmA II genotype was present in 82.6% of Pg-positive patients. The presence of Pg and filmA II genotype was significantly associated with greater clinical attachment loss at the sampled periodontal site. Pg-positive patients were slightly older than Pg-negative patients. Conclusions: Pg and filmA II genotype were highly prevalente in Brazilian patients with GAgP. Pg was more commonly observed in slightly older individuals and in sites with more clinical attachment loss. (AU)

Avaliação da padronização de sondas periodontais tipo williams / Evaluation of Williams periodontal probes calibration

Este trabalho avaliou a padronização de duas marcas comerciais de sondas periodontais milimetradas tipo Williams, comparando-as entre si. Foram utilizadas 60 sondas, sendo 30 usadas e 30 novas - dez (n=10) da marca Golgran/Brasil® e vinte (n=20) da marca Trinity®, em cada grupo. As marcações do terceiro e quinto milímetros foram analisadas com auxílio de um paquímetro digital e uma lupa sobre um negatoscópio, mantendo as sondas sempre na mesma posição. As sondas novas e usadas das duas marcas comerciais apresentaram distorções nas marcações. Porém, houve uma diferença estatisticamente significante entre elas (p<0,05). Independente do tempo de uso, as duas marcas comerciais apresentaram variações em relação ao valor considerado como padrão. Entretanto, a marca Trinity® demonstrou medida mais precisa e marcações mais definidas, favorecendo sua indicação para uso clinico.