Evaluation of the wound-healing potential of the kiwifruit extract by assessing its effects on human gingival fibroblasts and angiogenesis.

BACKGROUND: Oral surgery and surgical interventions in the field of periodontology require the uneventful wound healing of soft tissues to be successful. However, since the oral cavity is exposed to saliva and is a niche for oral microorganisms, wound healing can be delayed, causing pain and discomfort to the patient. Hence, a great deal of interest has shifted to the study of agents that can enhance wound-healing processes. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the oral wound-healing potential of the Actinidia deliciosa (kiwifruit) extract by assessing its effects on the viability, proliferation and migration of human gingival fibroblasts, and its ability to enhance angiogenesis in the chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The collection of the A. deliciosa extract and experimentation were carried out in the Maratha Mandal Dental College, Belgavi, India. Human gingival fibroblasts were cultured in a suitable medium and treated with 6.25 µg, 12.5 µg or 25 µg of the ethanolic kiwifruit extract. The MTT cell viability and scratch assays were then carried out in vitro. To determine the angiogenic potential of the extract, solutions of concentrations of 10 µg/mL, 50 µg/mL and 100 µg/mL were transferred to sterile Whatman™ filter paper disks, which were placed on the CAM of 5-day-old Leghorn chicken eggs. RESULTS: The ethanolic extract of A. deliciosa was not cytotoxic to gingival fibroblasts at a dosage of 6.25 µg/mL. In addition, the scratch assay demonstrated the migration of the fibroblasts and the closure of an artificially created wound within 24 h, which is similar to in vivo wound closure. The CAM assay showed that the kiwifruit extract concentrations of 10 µg/mL and 50 µg/mL showed a moderate proangiogenic effect, and a concentration of 100 µg/mL exerted a strong pro-angiogenic effect. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate that the kiwifruit extract is safe to use, can enhance the proliferation and migration of human gingival fibroblasts, and promotes angiogenesis, making it a suitable oral wound-healing agent.

Impact of glutaraldehyde cross-linking on the advanced platelet-rich fibrin membrane: Macroscopic, conventional light microscopic and scanning electron microscopic analysis.

BACKGROUND: Advanced platelet-rich fibrin (A-PRF) is a biopolymer that releases growth factors to facilitate healing. Along with other barrier membranes, the A-PRF membrane has proven to be beneficial in guided tissue regeneration (GTR) treatment. The cross-linking of the A-PRF membrane with glutaraldehyde (GLUT) has been attempted previously, and has been shown to prolong its degradation time and improve its mechanical properties. In the present study, the effects of GLUT cross-linking on macroscopic changes in the A-PRF membrane were assessed, and microscopic features were analyzed using a light microscope and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the effects of GLUT cross-linking on the A-PRF membrane through the macroscopic, microscopic and SEM examinations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 18 human A-PRF membrane samples were prepared, half of which were treated with 0.1% GLUT, and the remaining were left untreated. The macroscopic measurements of the samples included weight, length and thickness, while specimen slides were prepared for light microscopic evaluation and SEM analysis. RESULTS: The GLUT cross-linked membranes weighed more and were thicker than the non-cross-linked membranes, but there was no change in length. Light microscopic images showed fewer cells at the head and tail, though cells were abundant in the body of the A-PRF membrane. The images acquired using SEM showed fibrin strands of greater thickness, but fewer interspersed cell bodies in the cross-linked membranes. CONCLUSIONS: This in vitro study revealed an increase in thickness and cross-linking fiber density along with the presence of viable cells in the GLUT-treated A-PRF membrane, which may prove its effectiveness in healing or serving as a barrier membrane in clinical trials.

A clinico-microbiological and biochemical study evaluating the adjunctive use of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy and local drug delivery of 1.2 % simvastatin gel compared to scaling and root planing alone.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate and compare the efficacy of antimicrobial Photodynamic therapy (aPDT), Local Drug Delivery (LDD) of 1.2 % Simvastatin gel as an adjunct to scaling and root planning (SRP) and SRP alone in the treatment of Periodontitis using clinical, microbiological and biochemical parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 33 test sites in 11 Grade A Stage II periodontitis patients were randomly divided into three groups: GROUP I: Treated by SRP alone (SRP group); GROUP II: Treated by SRP followed by aPDT (aPDT group); GROUP III: Treated by SRP followed by single subgingival application of 1.2 % simvastatin gel (SMV group). Clinical parameters including API, PBI, PPD and RAL were assessed. Quantification of Porphyromonas gingivalis was evaluated by RT -PCR technique and estimation of RANKL levels was checked by ELISA. All assessments were done at baseline and 3 months RESULTS: All three groups showed significant reduction in the scores of clinical parameters, P. gingivalis DNA copy numbers and GCF RANKL levels at 3 months post therapy compared to baseline (p < 0.05). On comparison between the three groups, the results were non significant for all parameters both at baseline and at 3 months post therapy (p > 0.05). However slightly greater reduction was seen in the mean scores of PPD and RAL in the SMV Group and in P. gingivalis DNA copy numbers and GCF RANKL levels in aPDT group compared to the other groups although statistically non significant. A significant positive correlation(p < 0.05) was observed between P. gingivalis DNA copy numbers and PPD scores in SMV group and a significant negative correlation(p < 0.05) was observed between P. gingivalis DNA copy numbers and API & PBI scores in SRP group at 3 months follow up. CONCLUSIONS: aPDT, 1.2 % SMV local drug delivery as adjunct to SRP and SRP alone are effective in improving clinical parameters, reducing P. gingivalis DNA copy numbers and GCF RANKL levels. The superiority of one over another modality of treatment could not be established in this short term study.

A retrospective study of clinicopathological features of oral squamous cell carcinoma with and without oral submucous fibrosis.

CONTEXT: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is strongly associated with areca nut usage; the existence of OSF in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is an indicator of areca nut-induced carcinogenesis. As areca nut follows a discrete molecular path for oral carcinogenesis, this could be the basis why OSCC patients with OSF are different and are currently projected to constitute a distinct clinicopathologic entity. AIM: This study aims to analyze and compare the demographics, risk factors and clinicopathologic features of OSCC patients with and without OSF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of OSCC cases treated in the institution from 2008 to 2013 was done. Sixty OSCC of buccal mucosa were selected, of which 30 were with concomitant OSF and 30 without OSF. Demographics, risk factors and clinicopathological features were studied. The data were analyzed by SPSS-20 software, using the Pearson Chi-square, Fisher's exact and Mann-Whitney U-tests. RESULTS: OSCC cases with OSF were younger (mean age 40.5 vs. 54 years) compared to those without OSF (P < 0.05). Risk factors and other clinicopathological parameters did not differ between the two groups. There was significant difference in the two groups with regard to tumor differentiation (P = 0.000). Tumors in OSCC with OSF were more likely to be well differentiated. CONCLUSION: Although majority of OSCC patients with OSF were young with a better grade of tumor differentiation, other clinicopathologic features having prognostic significance did not differ significantly between the two groups. Therefore, OSCC arising in background OSF as a distinct entity is uncertain.