Mutagenicity and Acute Oral Toxicity Test for Herbal Poultry Feed Supplements.

Herbal products are being used and trusted globally for thousands of years for their health benefits and limited side effects. Globally, a general belief amongst the consumers is that herbal supplements are always safe because they are "natural." But later, research reveals that they may not be safe. This raises concern on their safety and implications for their use as feed supplement or medicine. Toxicity testing can reveal some of the risks that may be associated with use of herbs, therefore avoiding potential harmful effects. The present study was designed to investigate five poultry feed supplements (PFS), EGMAX® (to revitalize ovarian activity), FEED-X™ (feed efficiency enhancer), KOLIN PLUS™ (natural replacer of synthetic choline chloride), PHYTOCEE® (natural defence enhancer), and STODI® (to prevent and control loose droppings), for their possible mutagenicity and toxicity. Bacterial reverse mutation (BRMT) and acute oral toxicity tests were employed to assess the PFS for their possible mutagenicity and toxicity. Results indicated that the PFS were devoid of mutagenic effects in BRMT and showed higher safety profile in rodent acute oral toxicity test.

Sella Turcica Bridging As A Predictor Of Class II Malocclusion-An Investigative Study.

BACKGROUND: Sella turcica, the bony depression located in sphenoid bone houses and protects the pituitary gland. Formation and development of the sella turcica and teeth share, in common, the involvement of neural crest cells. The anterior part of the sella turcica is believed to develop mainly from neural crest cells, and dental epithelial progenitor cells differentiate through sequential and reciprocal interaction with neural crest-derived mesenchyme. Thus, any structural deviations in the sella, like bridging or roofing, are believed to be related to specific deviations in the facial skeleton and dental anomalies. Until now, there have been no studies concerning the prevalence of sella turcica bridging in skeletal Class II subjects. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyse the prevalence of sella turcica bridging in subjects with class I and class II skeletal types and to check whether sella can be considered as diagnostic marker for skeletal class II malocclusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Lateral cephalometric images of 205 subjects in the age range of 13 to 25 years were retrospectively analysed and classified for the type of skeletal malocclusion and the radiographs were evaluated for the prevalence of bridging of the sella in these subjects. RESULTS: The results show significance in the prevalence of sella turcica bridging (partial/complete) among subjects with skeletal class II malocclusion.

Prevalence of temporal bone pneumatization in relation to temporomandibular joint - A computed tomographic study.

BACKGROUND: Pneumatic spaces represent sites of minimal resistance, facilitating the spread of various pathological processes into the joint such as tumors, infection or fractures or vice versa. Considering the clinical importance of temporomandibular joint, prevalence of pneumatic spaces of the temporal bone in relation to TMJ in the roof of the TMJ fossa; articular eminence; zygomatic process and peritubal area was determined using Computed tomography. Laterality and gender wise prevalence of pneumatic spaces around the TMJ was also assessed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 100 high-resolution CT images of adult patients subjected to CT scan for the base of skull/temporal bone were utilized. Axial, reformatted coronal and sagittal images were analyzed on a DICOM viewer for the presence and distribution of pneumatic spaces of the temporal bone around TMJ in the roof of TMJ fossa, articular eminence, zygomatic process and peritubal area. RESULTS: The extent of pneumatization of the temporal bone varied considerably. The prevalence of pneumatization of the roof of the TMJ fossa was 52%, articular eminence (12%), the root of the zygomatic process (5%) and peritubal area was 56%. Higher frequency of bilateral pneumatization was seen. No statistically significant correlation was seen in gender wise distribution of pneumatization. CONCLUSION: The present study revealed higher prevalence of pneumatization of temporal bone around TMJ. The knowledge of these air spaces is helpful for the interpretation of imaging studies and to understand the spread of pathological processes into the joint.

Paratharmone related protein (peptide): A novel prognostic, diagnostic and therapeutic marker in Head & Neck cancer.

Parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) is a promising modality of assessment of different critical features of cancer. It is a protein member of parathyroid hormone family, secreted by certain physiologic cells and by malignant tumors in an increased amount. Recent studies have confirmed that PTHrP massively contributes to malignant behaviour of oral cancers-cell proliferation, migration and invasiveness. Strong correlation was found between PTHrP overexpression and local bone invasion and percentage of tumor cells in metastatic nodes. Normal range of PTHrP in serum is 0.7-2.6ρmol/litre. Its down-regulation blocks cell cycle of cancer cell lines and inhibits cell proliferation and colony formation. PTHrP can be used as a diagnostic aid, prognostic marker and excellent research arena for designing novel anti-neoplastic drugs.

Evaluation of the mutagenic potential and acute oral toxicity of standardized extract of Ocimum sanctum (OciBest™).

Ocimum sanctum L. (Lamiaceae) is found throughout India and in many parts of world. O. sanctum is used for the treatment of various health indications. In this lieu, it is of prime importance to investigate the safety aspects of the plant. Hence, the present study was conducted to investigate the possible genotoxic potential and acute oral toxicity of the extract of O. sanctum (OciBest™). The standard battery of in vitro genotoxicity tests, namely bacterial reverse mutation, chromosome aberration and micronucleus (MN) tests were employed to assess the possible mutagenic activity. The results showed that OciBest™ (7.9-2500.0 µg/mL) did not increase the number of histidine revertant colonies in Salmonella typhimurium strains (TA98 and TAMix) with and without exogenous metabolic activation (S9). OciBest™ (10.0-100.0 µg/mL) did not show structural chromosomal aberrations or increase in MN induction, with and without S9, at the tested dose range in both 4-h and 18-h exposure cell cultures. Thus, OciBest™ is not genotoxic in bacterial reverse mutation, chromosomal aberration and MN tests. In an acute oral toxicity test, rats were treated with 5 g/kg of OciBest™ and observed for signs of toxicity for 14 days and the results did not show any treatment-related toxic effects to Wistar rats.

In vitro anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of a flavonoid rich extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra and its probable mechanisms of action.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn. is regarded useful for peptic ulcer in traditional systems of medicine in India and Helicobacter pylori has been considered as one of the causative factors for peptic ulcer. Aim of the present study is to evaluate the anti-Helicobacter pylori action of GutGard(®), a flavonoid rich extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra and further to elucidate the possible mechanisms of its anti-Helicobacter pylori action. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Agar dilution and microbroth dilution methods were used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration of GutGard(®) against Helicobacter pylori. Protein synthesis, DNA gyrase, dihydrofolate reductase assays and anti-adhesion assay in human gastric mucosal cell line were performed to understand the mechanisms of anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of GutGard(®). RESULTS: GutGard(®) exhibited anti-Helicobacter pylori activity in both agar dilution and microbroth dilution methods. Glabridin, the major flavonoid present in GutGard(®) exhibited superior activity against Helicobacter pylori while glycyrrhizin did not show activity even at 250 µg/ml concentration. In protein synthesis assay, GutGard(®) showed a significant time dependent inhibition as witnessed by the reduction in (35)S methionine incorporation into Helicobacter pylori ATCC 700392 strain. Additionally, GutGard(®) showed a potent inhibitory effect on DNA gyrase and dihydrofolate reductase with IC(50) value of 4.40 µg/ml and 3.33 µg/ml respectively. However, the extract did not show significant inhibition on the adhesion of Helicobacter pylori to human gastric mucosal cell line at the tested concentrations. CONCLUSION: The present study shows that, GutGard(®) acts against Helicobacter pylori possibly by inhibiting protein synthesis, DNA gyrase and dihydrofolate reductase.

Prevalence of zygomatic air cell defect in adults--a retrospective panoramic radiographic analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This research involved retrospectively evaluating panoramic radiographs of patients from India with the intention of assessing the prevalence of Zygomatic Air Cell Defect (ZACD) and establishing its dominant location and type. METHODS: Seven thousand seven hundred and fifty-five panoramic radiographs of routine outpatients aged between 19 and 91 years were concomitantly evaluated by four investigators for estimating the prevalence and characteristics of the Zygomatic Air Cell Defect. RESULTS: The prevalence of ZACD was noted to be 1.82%, with male preponderance. Unilateralality and multilocular appearance of ZACD were the dominant patterns observed. CONCLUSION: The frequency of ZACD amongst Indian population is in harmony with most of the similar studies conducted on various geographic populations.

Evaluation of the genotoxic potential of standardized extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra (GutGard™).

Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn. (licorice) is widespread throughout the Mediterranean region and certain areas of Asia. Historically, the dried rhizome and root of the plant were used by the Chinese, Egyptian, Greek, Indian, and Roman civilizations as expectorant and carminative. In the modern medicinal system, licorice is used to treat liver ailments, dyspepsia, bronchitis, rheumatoid arthritis etc. Despite the extensive pharmacological applications, the genotoxic potential of G. glabra extract (GutGard™) has not been evaluated. Hence, this study was conducted to investigate the genotoxic potential of GutGard™ using battery of in vitro test systems: bacterial reverse mutation test (Ames II™), chromosome aberration (CA) and micronucleus (MN) tests. GutGard™ did not show significant increase in number of revertant colonies in Salmonella typhimurium strains (TA98 and TAMix) with/without S9 fraction. In CA and MN studies, GutGard™ did not show clastogenic effect at 4 and 18 h treatments with and without S9 fraction. Results indicated that GutGard™ is not mutagenic in a battery of genotoxicity tests.

Recurrent oral angioleiomyoma.

Angioleiomyomas are vascular variant of leiomyomas which are benign tumors of smooth muscle. They are exceedingly rare in the oral cavity. Malignant transformation of these tumors has also been reported occasionally which warrants knowledge of this soft tissue tumor. A 57 year old male patient reported with a 15 day history of an asymptomatic growth that had started insidiously in his lower left back tooth region. Clinical examination revealed a solitary, oval, sessile growth in the mandibular left retro molar region. Excisional biopsy was suggestive of Angioleiomyoma. A recurrence of the same was noted two months later which was also histopathologically reported as Angioleiomyoma. The same was confirmed using special stains. This case reports an unusual presentation of Angioleiomyoma with regards to both recurrence as well as rapid growth. It is important to be well aware of this uncommon entity as these tumors often can mimic or transform into malignancy. Precise clinicopathological examinations are therefore invaluable in establishing an accurate diagnosis and delivering suitable treatment.

Extranodal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the gingiva in an HIV seropositive patient.

Among the myriad manifestations of HIV, non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) are considered as the second most common malignancies after Kaposi's sarcoma. HIV-associated NHLs are extranodal and have a predilection for sites in the head and neck region in 50-60% of cases. Of all the extranodal NHLs, oral cavity constitutes only 25%. It is now considered that oral NHL serves as the first indicator of HIV infection.

White spongy nevus: a nonhereditary presentation.

White spongy nevus (WSN) is a rare hereditary dyskeratotic hyperplasia of the mucous membranes. It is an autosomal dominant disorder with variable penetrance. A few cases of WSN occur due to de novo mutations. We report a case of WSN in a 12-year-old female child, with none of her family members having similar lesions.