Salivary, Plasma, and Gingival Levels of Melatonin and TNF-α in Nonsmokers and Current Smokers with and without Periodontal Disease.

AIM: The aim of this study was to quantify the levels of gingival, salivary, and plasma melatonin and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in healthy individuals and chronic generalized periodontitis patients with and without cigarette smoking habit and to investigate whether a relationship exists between melatonin and TNF-α levels in the samples. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood of 5 mL, 5 mL of saliva, and gingival tissue samples were obtained from 30 periodontally healthy individuals without smoking habit (HP), 30 nonsmoking patients with chronic generalized periodontitis (CP), 30 periodontally healthy individuals with current smoking habit (SHP), and 30 current smoker patients with chronic generalized periodontitis (SCP). The levels of melatonin and TNF-α in the samples were measured using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. The results obtained were statistically analyzed using SPSS statistical software (23.0 version). RESULTS: This study demonstrated the presence of melatonin and TNF-α in all the saliva, plasma, and gingival tissue samples. Gingival tissue melatonin levels were highest in the HP group and least in the SCP groups, while TNF-α levels were least in the HP group and highest in the SCP groups. No significant difference was observed between the groups with regard to salivary and plasma melatonin. An overall significant difference was also observed between the groups with regard to salivary TNF-α but not with regard to plasma TNF-α. Binary logistic regression analysis was carried out after dividing the study groups into current smokers and nonsmokers. Results revealed that a reduction in gingival melatonin and an increase in gingival TNF-α were associated with a transition from periodontal health to chronic generalized periodontitis in current smokers but not in nonsmokers. CONCLUSION: This study sheds light on the anti-inflammatory actions of melatonin in the gingival tissues in states of periodontal health and disease in current smokers. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Melatonin could be used as a supplement to boost anti-inflammatory mechanisms in periodontal therapy especially in cigarette smokers.

In Vitro Anticancer Effects of Cinnamomum verum J. Presl, Cinnamaldehyde, 4 Hydroxycinnamic Acid and Eugenol on an Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Line.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: The present study was conducted to assess the in vitro anticancer effects of Cinnamomum verum J. Presl extract and its active constituents, such as cinnamaldehyde, 4 hydroxycinnamic acid, and eugenol on oral squamous cell carcinoma cell line. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Aqueous, ethanolic, and hydroalcoholic extracts of C. verum J. Presl (bark) were prepared using standardized protocols. Cinnamaldehyde, 4 hydroxycinnamic acid, and eugenol were quantified in the extracts. Total saponins, tannins, and polyphenols were quantified in the selected extracts. A commercially available SCC-25 cell line was cultured according to standard protocol. The anticancer effects of the extract, active compounds, and standard cisplatin were assessed by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) cytotoxicity, acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining, DNA, fragmentation assay, cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry, and JC-1 staining (5,5',6,6'-tetrachloro1,1',3,3'tetraethylbenzimidazolylcarbocyanine iodide). RESULTS: The hydroalcoholic extracts demonstrated a higher quantity of the active ingredients cinnamaldehyde, 4 hydroxycinnamic acid, and eugenol. The selected extract and active compounds demonstrated anticancer effects via apoptosis induction and S-phase arrest. Apoptosis induction was exerted by the extract via alteration in mitochondrial membrane potential. CONCLUSION: Cinnamomum verum J. Presl and its active compounds exhibited in vitro anticancer effects on oral squamous cell carcinoma. Further studies in animal models have to be carried out to assess toxicity and in vivo effects. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The anticancer properties of Cinnamomum verum J. Presl could be explored further for prevention and management of oral squamous cell carcinoma.