Assessing the In Vitro Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Activity of Moringa oleifera Crude Extract.

BACKGROUND: Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress play a vital role in the pathogenesis of various diseases of the oral cavity including periodontal disease. Phytochemicals present in plants with antioxidant (AO) and anti-inflammatory properties could aid as a therapeutic adjunct in the management of these diseases. AIM: To assess the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Moringa oleifera Lam. (MOL) in an in vitro environment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of M. oleifera Lam. were prepared by maceration. Antioxidant activity was assessed by FRAP, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, and DPPH radical scavenging assay. Anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by Albumin Denaturation Assay. Experiments were repeated thrice, and mean and standard deviation were calculated. RESULTS: Both the test substances exhibited significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, and aqueous extracts exhibited higher activity than ethanolic extract. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION: The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of M. oleifera Lam. could be further explored for the management of periodontal disease as a local drug delivery system with the extract could be developed.

Moringa oleifera: Antioxidant, Anticancer, Anti-inflammatory, and Related Properties of Extracts in Cell Lines: A Review of Medicinal Effects, Phytochemistry, and Applications.

Moringa oleifera (MO), or the common drumstick possesses antioxidant properties, and its pods, seeds, leaves, and bark have been used for the treatment of inflammatory and cancerous conditions. This systematic review attempts to synthesize original studies of MO extracts in cell lines to determine their specific antiproliferative, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and related effects. The literature was obtained from PubMed central, the Cochrane registry, and other sources including Google Scholar, and Embase. Studies fulfilling the inclusion criteria were selected. Custom data collection forms were employed and two independent evaluators compiled the relevant information. Eighteen studies were selected after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. In most studies, MO leaves had more potent properties compared to other parts of the plant. Ethyl acetate and ethanolic extractions improved the potency of the extract. Effects were selective (different for normal cells and cancer cells) and dose-dependent. Anticancer and antioxidant activities were consistently reported, with effects exerted at the genetic and molecular levels. MO extracts potentially could be employed for therapeutic applications. The optimal sources, preparation protocols, and dosages have been researched, though further scrutiny is needed for a comprehensive formulation. Keywords: Anticancer, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Moringa oleifera.

Estimation of TNF-α Levels in Saliva and Serum of Patients with Periodontal Health and Chronic Periodontitis: A Case-control Study.

AIM: The aim of this case-control study is to estimate the circulatory levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in saliva and serum of patients with chronic periodontitis and periodontally healthy subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-four patients were screened, and based on biofilm-gingival interface (BGI) index, they were grouped into group I healthy periodontium [BGI-H (20)] and group II periodontitis [BGI-P3 (24)]. Venous blood and salivary samples were collected and analyzed using solid-phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Independent sample t test was performed to determine the association. RESULTS: Overall, there were differences in both the saliva and the serum TNF-α levels in healthy and periodontitis subjects. The average serum TNF-α concentration in group I healthy subjects was 23.12 pg/mL and in group II periodontitis was 24.06 pg/mL. In the saliva, the mean TNF-α level in group I healthy subjects was 45.69 pg/mL and in group II diseased subjects was 46.58 pg/mL. However, the values were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Circulatory and salivary TNF-α levels were found in detectable quantities. They showed a marginal increase in chronic periodontitis patients when compared with normal healthy patients in the absence of systemic diseases. Further studies are required in a large scale and with different methodologies to substantiate the role of TNF-α in the progression of periodontal diseases. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Clinical significance of this study is to analyze the TNF-α levels in saliva and serum, which may be the aggravating factor in causing periodontal disease, thereby helping to treat periodontitis.

The Management of Drug-Induced Gingival Enlargement in a Patient With Preexisting Periodontitis.

Antihypertensives such as amlodipine, which is a family of calcium channel blockers (CCBs), possess a limitation by causing gingival enlargement on long-term use. Gingival enlargement hinders the patient's oral hygiene maintenance and causes more plaque accumulation and inflammation. The severity of the condition is dependent on dose and duration. When untreated, this leads to functional and esthetic disabilities. This is a case report of amlodipine-induced gingival enlargement in a young, chronic periodontitis patient who was under 5 mg of amlodipine for six months. Upon diagnosis, the patient underwent periodontal surgery and supportive periodontal therapy, which significantly improved her periodontal health in a one-year follow-up period.