Hexane fraction from Brazilian Morus nigra leaves improved oral carbohydrate tolerance and inhibits α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities in diabetic mice.

Morus nigra, popularly known as mulberry, has been traditionally used as anti-diabetic herbal medication. This study focused on hexane fraction from Brazilian M. nigra leaves (Hex-Mn) effects on digestion and absorption of carbohydrate in diabetic mice. The high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was performed, and showed the presence of flavonoids isoquercetin and kaempferol-3-O-rhamnoside. Hex-Mn did not alter oral glucose tolerance test; however, it prevented hyperglycemia in oral sucrose and starch tolerance test in diabetic mice. Also, Hex-Mn was more efficient to inhibit the α-glucosidase, showing lower inhibitory effect on α-amylase activity in vitro. The results suggest that Hex-Mn may delay the carbohydrate digestion, but not glucose transport through brush border membrane of the intestine, which contribute with reduction in postprandial hyperglycemia in mice. Hex-Mn has antihyperglycemic effect by attenuating the carbohydrate digestion in diabetic mice, which could be explained, at least in part, by the presence of isoquercetin and kaempferol-3-O-rhamnoside.

Study of morphology of mandibular canal through computed tomography / Estudio de la morfología del canal mandibular a través de tomografía computadorizada

This work aimed to study the morphology of the mandibular canal in Computed Tomography (CT scans), in order to assist in the clinical and surgical management of dental interventions in the mandible area. The material used was composed of 377 CT scans, selected by age (between 15 and 80 years), obtained during the period from 2011 to 2013, belonging to a private practice radiology of the city of Caruaru-PE, Brazil. 96 of these met the inclusion criteria, with 37.5% male and 62.5% female. Concerning the form of the mandibular canal, all images presented: a single canal, bilateral, extending from the mandibular to the mental foramen, without any morphological change. 37.5% had mandibular canals classified as type I, 22,92% canals type II and III and 16,66% canals type IV. Thus, we emphasize the importance of knowing the anatomy of the mandible as well as the path of the inferior alveolar nerve by the mandibular canal, especially to perform the various procedures that are performed in this region in order to minimize injury to the neurovascular bundle.

El objetivo fue estudiar la morfología del canal mandibular en la tomografía computadorizada (TC), con el fin de ayudar en el manejo clínico y quirúrgico de las intervenciones dentales en el área de la mandíbula. El material utilizado incluyó 377 TC, seleccionadas por edad (entre 15 y 80 años), obtenidas durante el período 2011-2013 desde el banco de datos de una clínica privada de radiología en la ciudad de Caruaru-PE, Brasil. Noventa y seis TC cumplieron los criterios de inclusión (37,5% hombres y 62,5% mujeres). En relación a la forma del canal mandibular, todas las imágenes presentaron un solo canal, bilateral, que se extiendió desde el foramen mandibular hasta el foramen mental, sin ningún cambio morfológico. En el 37,5% de las TC hubo canales mandibulares clasificados como Tipo I; en 22,92% tipo II y III. Sólo el 16,66% presentó canales tipo IV. Destacamos la importancia de conocer la anatomía de la mandíbula, así como el trayecto del nervio alveolar inferior en el canal mandibular, especialmente para la realización de los diversos procedimientos en esta región con el fin de minimizar el daño a los haces neurovasculares.