The effect of photobiomodulation therapy in common maxillofacial injuries: Current status.

The use of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) may be used for treating trauma to the maxillofacial region. The effects of PBMT on maxillofacial injuries were discussed in this review article. The electronic databases Pubmed, Scopus, and Web of Science were thoroughly searched. This review included in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies describing how PBMT can be used in maxillofacial tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Some studies suggest that PBMT may offer a promising therapy for traumatic maxillofacial injuries because it can stimulate the differentiation and proliferation of various cells, including dental pulp cells and mesenchymal stem cells, enhancing bone regeneration and osseointegration. PBMT reduces pain and swelling after oral surgery and tooth extraction in human and animal models of maxillofacial injuries. Patients with temporomandibular disorders also benefit from PBMT in terms of reduced inflammation and symptoms. PBMT still has some limitations, such as the need for standardizing parameters. PBMT must also be evaluated further in randomized controlled trials in various maxillofacial injuries. As a result, PBMT offers a safe and noninvasive treatment option for patients suffering from traumatic maxillofacial injuries. PBMT still requires further research to establish its efficacy in clinical practice and determine the optimal parameters.

Antimicrobial properties of green synthesized novel TiO2 nanoparticles using Iranian propolis extracts.

The oral antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties of green synthesized novel titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) using Iranian propolis extracts were investigated on oral bacteria and fibroblast cells. In this study, propolis was sampled, and alcoholic extracts were prepared. The TiO2 NPs were biosynthesized using propolis extracts. The synthesized TiO2 NPs were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction analysis, energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scattering, ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis), transmission electron microscope, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, and zeta potential. MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide), minimal inhibitory concentration, minimum bactericidal concentration, minimum fungicidal concentration, biofilm formation, and degradation tests were studied to clarify the oral antimicrobial properties of green synthesized TiO2  NPs. According to the FTIR analysis, the propolis extract contained flavonoids and phenolic compounds in addition to TiO2 NPs. Additionally, UV-Vis revealed that intense bands had formed NPs. EDX spectra and SEM images revealed that the stabilizing agent was in perfect quasi-spherical shapes around 21 nm. An EDX spectrum was used to verify the presence of titanium and oxygen. There were no significant cytotoxicity effects. The antibacterial results showed that Pro1TiO2 (Khalkhal sample) had better effects than Pro2TiO2 (Gilan sample) and TiO2 NPs. The present study presents a new process for synthesizing TiO2 NPs from propolis extracts with less toxic effects and user-friendly, eco-friendly, and economical materials. Pro1TiO2 NPs may be considered the best candidate for clinical application.

Dental Luting Cements: An Updated Comprehensive Review.

The cementation of indirect restoration is one of the most important steps in prosthetic and restorative dentistry. Cementation aims to bond the prosthetic restoration to the prepared enamel or enamel and dentine. Successful cementation protocols prevent biofilm formation at the margin between tooth and restoration and minimize mechanical and biological complications. With the advancements in dental cements, they have been modified to be versatile in terms of handling, curing, and bond strengths. This review presents updates on dental cements, focusing on the composition, properties, advantages, limitations, and indications of the various cements available. Currently, dental restorations are made from various biomaterials, and depending on each clinical case, an appropriate luting material will be selected. There is no luting material that can be universally used. Therefore, it is important to distinguish the physical, mechanical, and biological properties of luting materials in order to identify the best options for each case. Nowadays, the most commonly used dental cements are glass-ionomer and resin cement. The type, shade, thickness of resin cement and the shade of the ceramic, all together, have a tangible influence on the final restoration color. Surface treatments of the restoration increase the microtensile bond strength. Hence, the proper surface treatment protocol of both the substrate and restoration surfaces is needed before cementation. Additionally, the manufacturer's instructions for the thin cement-layer thickness are important for the long-term success of the restoration.

Exploring the Use of Animal Models in Craniofacial Regenerative Medicine: A Narrative Review.

The craniofacial region contains skin, bones, cartilage, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), teeth, periodontal tissues, mucosa, salivary glands, muscles, nerves, and blood vessels. Applying tissue engineering therapeutically helps replace lost tissues after trauma or cancer. Despite recent advances, it remains essential to standardize and validate the most appropriate animal models to effectively translate preclinical data to clinical situations. Therefore, this review focused on applying various animal models in craniofacial tissue engineering and regeneration. This research was based on PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar data available until January 2023. This study included only English-language publications describing animal models' application in craniofacial tissue engineering (in vivo and review studies). Study selection was based on evaluating titles, abstracts, and full texts. The total number of initial studies was 6454. Following the screening process, 295 articles remained on the final list. Numerous in vivo studies have shown that small and large animal models can benefit clinical conditions by assessing the efficacy and safety of new therapeutic interventions, devices, and biomaterials in animals with similar diseases/defects to humans. Different species' anatomical, physiologic, and biological features must be considered in developing innovative, reproducible, and discriminative experimental models to select an appropriate animal model for a specific tissue defect. As a result, understanding the parallels between human and veterinary medicine can benefit both fields.

The Effect of Various Lasers on the Bond Strength Between Orthodontic Brackets and Dental Ceramics: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background/objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess how laser conditioning affected brackets bonded to dental ceramics' shear bond strength (SBS). Materials and methods: The study was conducted by searching Pubmed/Medline, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar up to September 14, 2022. In addition, the reference lists of the relevant articles were checked manually. Articles that compared SBS of laser-treated feldspathic, lithium disilicate, or zirconia surfaces with other standard techniques for bonding metal or ceramic orthodontic brackets were considered. Using a random-effects model, data pooling was carried out as the weighted mean difference (WMD). Results: This study initially contained 1717 reports, and following review, 32 articles were deemed suitable for our meta-analysis. The pooling results showed that the treatments with lasers such as "Er:YAG" [WMD = -1.12 MPa; 95% confidence interval (CI): -1.93 to -0.31], "Er:YAG + Silane" (WMD = -3.08 MPa; 95% CI: -4.77 to -1.40), and "Nd: YAG + Silane" (WMD = -2.58 MPa; 95% CI: -3.76 to -1.40) had statistically significant lower adhesion values compared with controls. Contrarily, "Ti:Sapphire femtosecond" demonstrated significantly higher bonding values (WMD = 0.94 MPa; 95% CI: 0.29-1.60). In contrast, other interventions obtained no statistically significant difference in SBS. Conclusions: Most of the laser groups showed results comparable with those of conventional approaches. Although more research is necessary for definitive conclusions, laser treatment may be an effective option for treating the surfaces of ceramic materials.

The current techniques in dorsal augmentation rhinoplasty: a comprehensive review.

BACKGROUND: An essential aspect of rhinoplasty is the enhancement of the nasal dorsal contour by performing dorsal augmentation (DA) rhinoplasty. A wide range of techniques are available for DA as the demand for aesthetic nasal refinement grows. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current techniques used in DA rhinoplasty. MAIN BODY: Research articles on DA rhinoplasty techniques were identified through a comprehensive literature search. Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science were used as electronic databases. Each database was searched for articles published since its inception. DA rhinoplasty techniques were examined in this literature review. Methodological quality was assessed for the selected studies, and data was extracted to examine materials used, surgical approaches, and reported outcomes for each technique. Various DA methods, including autologous grafts and synthetic implants, are examined in-depth in this review. Comparing approaches can help better understand their respective advantages and limitations. CONCLUSION: A wealth of techniques is available for DA rhinoplasty, each with advantages. Patients' nasal anatomy, desired outcomes, and potential risks must be considered by surgeons when determining their surgical approach. DA methods continue to evolve rapidly, creating a need for a thorough understanding of the current landscape to make informed decisions.

Cross Talk Between Cells and the Current Bioceramics in Bone Regeneration: A Comprehensive Review.

The conventional approach for addressing bone defects and stubborn non-unions typically involves the use of autogenous bone grafts. Nevertheless, obtaining these grafts can be challenging, and the procedure can lead to significant morbidity. Three primary treatment strategies for managing bone defects and non-unions prove resistant to conventional treatments: synthetic bone graft substitutes (BGS), a combination of BGS with bioactive molecules, and the use of BGS in conjunction with stem cells. In the realm of synthetic BGS, a multitude of biomaterials have emerged for creating scaffolds in bone tissue engineering (TE). These materials encompass biometals like titanium, iron, magnesium, and zinc, as well as bioceramics such as hydroxyapatite (HA) and tricalcium phosphate (TCP). Bone TE scaffolds serve as temporary implants, fostering tissue ingrowth and the regeneration of new bone. They are meticulously designed to enhance bone healing by optimizing geometric, mechanical, and biological properties. These scaffolds undergo continual remodeling facilitated by bone cells like osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Through various signaling pathways, stem cells and bone cells work together to regulate bone regeneration when a portion of bone is damaged or deformed. By targeting signaling pathways, bone TE can improve bone defects through effective therapies. This review provided insights into the interplay between cells and the current state of bioceramics in the context of bone regeneration.

Exploring animal models in oral cancer research and clinical intervention: A critical review.

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, but advances in treatment, early detection, and prevention have helped to reduce its impact. To translate cancer research findings into clinical interventions for patients, appropriate animal experimental models, particularly in oral cancer therapy, can be helpful. In vitro experiments using animal or human cells can provide insight into cancer's biochemical pathways. This review discusses the various animal models used in recent years for research and clinical intervention in oral cancer, along with their advantages and disadvantages. We highlight the advantages and limitations of the used animal models in oral cancer research and therapy by searching the terms of animal models, oral cancer, oral cancer therapy, oral cancer research, and animals to find all relevant publications during 2010-2023. Mouse models, widely used in cancer research, can help us understand protein and gene functions in vivo and molecular pathways more deeply. To induce cancer in rodents, xenografts are often used, but companion animals with spontaneous tumours are underutilized for rapid advancement in human and veterinary cancer treatments. Like humans with cancer, companion animals exhibit biological behaviour, treatment responses, and cytotoxic agent responses similar to humans. In companion animal models, disease progression is more rapid, and the animals have a shorter lifespan. Animal models allow researchers to study how immune cells interact with cancer cells and how they can be targeted specifically. Additionally, animal models have been extensively used in research on oral cancers, so researchers can use existing knowledge and tools to better understand oral cancers using animal models.

Current antibacterial agents in dental bonding systems: a comprehensive overview.

Dental caries is mainly caused by oral biofilm acid, and the most common dental restoration treatment is composite dental restorations. The main cause of failure is secondary caries adjacent to the restoration. Long-term survival of dental materials is improved by the presence of antibacterial agents, which selectively inhibit bacterial growth or survival. Chemical, natural and biomaterials have been studied for their antimicrobial activities and antibacterial bonding agents have been improved. Their usage has been increased to inhibit the growth of invading and residual bacteria in the oral cavity, as biofilm accumulation increases the risk of treatment failure. In this article, the success and applications of antibacterial agents are discussed in dental bonding systems.

Green Alternatives as Antimicrobial Agents in Mitigating Periodontal Diseases: A Narrative Review.

Periodontal diseases and dental caries are the most common infectious oral diseases impacting oral health globally. Oral cavity health is crucial for enhancing life quality since it serves as the entranceway to general health. The oral microbiome and oral infectious diseases are strongly correlated. Gram-negative anaerobic bacteria have been associated with periodontal diseases. Due to the shortcomings of several antimicrobial medications frequently applied in dentistry, the lack of resources in developing countries, the prevalence of oral inflammatory conditions, and the rise in bacterial antibiotic resistance, there is a need for reliable, efficient, and affordable alternative solutions for the prevention and treatment of periodontal diseases. Several accessible chemical agents can alter the oral microbiota, although these substances also have unfavorable symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and tooth discoloration. Natural phytochemicals generated from plants that have historically been used as medicines are categorized as prospective alternatives due to the ongoing quest for substitute products. This review concentrated on phytochemicals or herbal extracts that impact periodontal diseases by decreasing the formation of dental biofilms and plaques, preventing the proliferation of oral pathogens, and inhibiting bacterial adhesion to surfaces. Investigations examining the effectiveness and safety of plant-based medicines have also been presented, including those conducted over the past decade.

Photodynamic therapy in oral cancer: a review of clinical studies.

A significant mortality rate is associated with oral cancer, particularly in cases of late-stage diagnosis. Since the last decades, oral cancer survival rates have only gradually improved despite advances in treatment. This poor success rate is mainly due to the development of secondary tumors, local recurrence, and regional failure. Invasive treatments frequently have a negative impact on the aesthetic and functional outcomes of survivors. Novel approaches are thus needed to manage this deadly disease in light of these statistics. In photodynamic therapy (PDT), a light-sensitive medication called a photosensitizer is given first, followed by exposure to light of the proper wavelength that matches the absorbance band of the photosensitizer. The tissue oxygen-induced cytotoxic free radicals kill tumor cells directly, harm the microvascular structure, and cause inflammatory reactions at the targeted sites. In the case of early lesions, PDT can be used as a stand-alone therapy, and in the case of advanced lesions, it can be used as adjuvant therapy. The current review article discussed the uses of PDT in oral cancer therapy based on recent advances in this field.

Current Infections of the Orofacial Region: Treatment, Diagnosis, and Epidemiology.

Undoubtedly, diagnosing and managing infections is one of the most challenging issues for orofacial clinicians. As a result of the diversity of symptoms, complicated behavior, and sometimes confusing nature of these conditions, it has become increasingly difficult to diagnose and treat them. It also highlights the need to gain a deeper insight into the orofacial microbiome as we try to improve our understanding of it. In addition to changes in patients' lifestyles, such as changes in diet, smoking habits, sexual practices, immunosuppressive conditions, and occupational exposures, there have been changes in patients' lifestyles that complicate the issue. Recent years have seen the development of new infection treatments due to the increased knowledge about the biology and physiology of infections. This review aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the types of infections in the mouth, including the types that viruses, fungi, or bacteria may cause. It is important to note that we searched the published literature in the Scopus, Medline, Google Scholar, and Cochran databases from 2010 to 2021 using the following keywords: "Orofacial/Oral Infections," "Viral/Fungal/Bacterial Infections", "Oral Microbiota" And "Oral Microflora" without limiting our search to languages and study designs. According to the evidence, the most common infections in the clinic include herpes simplex virus, human papillomavirus, Candida albicans, Aspergillus, Actinomycosis, and Streptococcus mutans. The purpose of this study is to review the new findings on characteristics, epidemiology, risk factors, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and new treatment for these types of infectious diseases.

The comparative effects of erythromycin and amikacin on acute respiratory Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection.

BACKGROUND: One of the most common causes of pneumonia is Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa). As with other microbial pathogens, this bacterium tends to develop resistance to various antibiotics. Amikacin and erythromycin, which are from the aminoglycoside and macrolide antibiotic families, are used to treat respiratory infections caused by P. aeruginosa. OBJECTIVES: This study explored whether amikacin, erythromycin or a combination of both works better against P. aeruginosa acute lung infection. METHODS: For this study, 32 rats were used. The trachea of rats was exposed aseptically and their lung was infected with P. aeruginosa through trachea. Then, according to the group, they received amikacin, erythromycin or a combination of both for 1 week. Finally, they were euthanised on the 3rd and 7th days post-infection. The macroscopic and microscopic evaluations of the lungs, kidney and liver were performed. The right lung was collected for in vivo bacteriological analysis. RESULTS: The amikacin group (A group) had a statistically significantly lower macroscopic and microscopic scores than the other groups (p < 0.05). In vivo bacteriological test revealed that the A group had significantly lower lung bacterial load (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In summary, it was concluded that amikacin could help alleviate the respiratory infection caused by P. aeruginosa solely, and it was more effective than erythromycin.

The current regenerative medicine approaches of craniofacial diseases: A narrative review.

Craniofacial deformities (CFDs) develop following oncological resection, trauma, or congenital disorders. Trauma is one of the top five causes of death globally, with rates varying from country to country. They result in a non-healing composite tissue wound as they degenerate in soft or hard tissues. Approximately one-third of oral diseases are caused by gum disease. Due to the complexity of anatomical structures in the region and the variety of tissue-specific requirements, CFD treatments present many challenges. Many treatment methods for CFDs are available today, such as drugs, regenerative medicine (RM), surgery, and tissue engineering. Functional restoration of a tissue or an organ after trauma or other chronic diseases is the focus of this emerging field of science. The materials and methodologies used in craniofacial reconstruction have significantly improved in the last few years. A facial fracture requires bone preservation as much as possible, so tiny fragments are removed initially. It is possible to replace bone marrow stem cells with oral stem cells for CFDs due to their excellent potential for bone formation. This review article discusses regenerative approaches for different types of craniofacial diseases.

Oral Complications Associated with the Piercing of Oral and Perioral Tissues and the Corresponding Degree of Awareness among Public and Professionals: A Systematic Review.

This study systematically reviews the literature to evaluate the potential relationships between oral/perioral piercing and consequent oral complications in the corresponding society. The second objective was determining public/professional sectors' awareness of the subject. This research followed PRISMA and Cochrane guidelines for conducting systematic reviews and searching scientific databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and Google Scholar, until April 2023. Cross-sectional, cohort, and case-control studies in English were deemed eligible. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using proper quality assessment guidelines. Of the 965 initial articles retrieved, 34 were considered suitable for qualitative synthesis after screening procedures and removing duplicates and irrelevant records. There appears to be an imbalance between the general public's low and dentists' high awareness. This draws attention to the shortage of professional and societal knowledge-sharing and education initiatives. Women were more than twice as likely as men to have oral piercings. Piercing usage had a low incidence among a cohort of students with a mean age of 16. Merely circumstantial evidence has indicated a plausible correlation between oral and perioral piercings and the emergence of secondary bacterial and fungal colonization, particularly periodontopathogenic bacteria and Candida albicans. Furthermore, several adverse consequences have been observed linked to various piercings-such as lip and tongue piercings. These include caries, gingivitis/periodontitis, dental fractures, enamel chipping/cracks, plaque buildup, bone loss, bleeding, inflammation, and swelling. Given the risks involved and the complications that might impair oral health, the prevalence of oral piercings is alarming. As a result, public health authorities need to firmly support initiatives to raise awareness of the risks associated with oral/perioral piercings. For piercers to enhance their expertise in this field, professional training is necessary because there is a shortage of knowledge on the possible adverse effects of piercings.

Photodynamic Therapy in Oral Cancer: A Narrative Review.

Methods: A comprehensive search in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar was performed using relevant keywords to structure this narrative review. Only English articles were included and assessed according to titles, abstracts, and full texts. Background: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is applied for targeting pre-malignancy and malignancies in the head and neck, skin, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract and has been greatly promising in reducing disfigurement and morbidity. This method includes a light-sensitive medicine known as a photosensitizer and a light source used through a minimally invasive surgical tool. Objective: This study aimed to review the application of PDT in managing head and neck cancers (HNCs) and provide an overview of the most recent advances in PDT and its efficiency in increasing the long-term life quality of patients with HNC. Results: The light source irradiates light at an appropriate wavelength that can be absorbed by the sensitizer and produce cytotoxic free radicals that can kill tumor cells, impair microvasculature in the tumor microenvironment, and stimulate further inflammatory responses of the immune system. Patients with either early lesions or advanced disease conveniently accept to receive PDT in outpatient clinics. Therefore, this simple technique is considered a novel and promising approach that can be used either individually or in association with other methods. However, its application as a management method in oral malignancies has yet to be studied. PDT is also suggested as a promising adjuvant treatment with better functional results. Then, it is possible to conclude that PDT's effectiveness in treating various tumors has been shown to depend on the depth of the lesion location. Its safety is acceptable, but its limited irradiation depth confines its application in the advanced stages of cancer. Conclusions: PDT is critically applicable in the early diagnosed cancers and superficial tumors where many heads and neck lesions settle as an ideal candidate for PDT because of the possibility of accurate evaluation of lesions and providing appropriate irradiation at these sites.

Evaluation of BIRC6 Expression in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Epithelial Dysplasia, Lichen Planus with and without Dysplasia, and Hyperkeratosis.

BACKGROUND: BIRC6, regarded as the pivotal member of the inhibitor of the apoptosis (IAP) family, has been linked to the development of different types of cancer in humans. The objective of this study was to examine the expression of BIRC6 in various oral conditions, including OLP with dysplasia (OLPD), hyperkeratosis (HK), OLP, epithelial dysplasia (ED), and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), to investigate its potential involvement in the development of OSCC and the pathogenesis and malignant transformation of OLP, which is known as a precancerous condition. METHODS: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, 99 cases, consisting of 19 cases of OSCC, 21 cases of ED, 23 cases of OLP, 20 cases of OLPD, and 16 cases of HK as the control group, were investigated regarding BIRC6 expression by immunohistochemical staining. After that, the immunohistochemical expression of BIRC6 in the epithelial compartment was analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between the expression of BIRC6 and clinicopathological variables. The statistical analysis of the data involved the use of one-way ANOVA, post hoc Tukey, Kruskal-Wallis, Chi-square, Spearman's correlation, and Mann-Whitney tests. The significance level was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Positive BIRC6 staining was found in 91.7% of the subjects of OLP, 88.1% of HK, 86.1% of ED, 93% of OLPD, and 94.7% of OSCC. OSCC showed the highest BIRC6 expression (p = 0.00). The average total staining score was remarkably greater in OSCC and dysplastic lesions compared with HK (p = 0.00, p = 0.00). CONCLUSIONS: While the current study suggested that BIRC6 may play a role in the tumorigenesis of OSCC, its role in the malignant transformation of OLP has yet to be definitively established.

The Role of Epigenetic in Dental and Oral Regenerative Medicine by Different Types of Dental Stem Cells: A Comprehensive Overview.

Postnatal teeth, wisdom teeth, and exfoliated deciduous teeth can be harvested for dental stem cell (DSC) researches. These mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can differentiate and also consider as promising candidates for dental and oral regeneration. Thus, the development of DSC therapies can be considered a suitable but challenging target for tissue regeneration. Epigenetics describes changes in gene expression rather than changes in DNA and broadly happens in bone homeostasis, embryogenesis, stem cell fate, and disease development. The epigenetic regulation of gene expression and the regulation of cell fate is mainly governed by deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) methylation, histone modification, and noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs). Tissue engineering utilizes DSCs as a target. Tissue engineering therapies are based on the multipotent regenerative potential of DSCs. It is believed that epigenetic factors are essential for maintaining the multipotency of DSCs. A wide range of host and environmental factors influence stem cell differentiation and differentiation commitment, of which epigenetic regulation is critical. Several lines of evidence have shown that epigenetic modification of DNA and DNA-correlated histones are necessary for determining cells' phenotypes and regulating stem cells' pluripotency and renewal capacity. It is increasingly recognized that nuclear enzyme activities, such as histone deacetylases, can be used pharmacologically to induce stem cell differentiation and dedifferentiation. In this review, the role of epigenetic in dental and oral regenerative medicine by different types of dental stem cells is discussed in two new and promising areas of medical and biological researches in recent studies (2010-2022).

Lipid-based Nanoparticles for the Targeted Delivery of Anticancer Drugs: A Review.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Although chemotherapeutic agents have been effectively designed to increase the survival rates of some patients, the designed chemotherapeutic agents necessarily deliver toxic chemotherapeutic drugs to healthy tissues, resulting in serious side effects. Cancer cells can often acquire drug resistance after repeatedly administering current chemotherapeutic agents, restricting their efficacy. Given such obstacles, investigators have attempted to distribute chemotherapeutic agents using targeted drug delivery systems (DDSs), especially nanotechnology-based DDSs. The lipid-based nanoparticles (LBNPs) are a large and complex class of substances utilized to manage various diseases, especially cancers. Liposomes seem to be the most frequently employed LBNPs, owing to their high biocompatibility, bioactivity, stability, and flexibility. Solid lipid NPs and non-structured lipid carriers have lately received a lot of interest. In addition, several reports focused on novel therapies via LBNPs to manage various forms of cancer. In the present research, the latest improvements in applying LBNPs have been shown to deliver different therapeutic agents to cancerous cells and be a quite successful candidate in cancer therapy.

Evaluation of antimicrobial and cytotoxic effects of Echinacea and Arctium extracts and Zataria essential oil.

Dental caries and oral infections have become a widespread issue in the modern world. This study aimed to investigate the antibacterial, antifungal, and cytotoxicity characteristics of the extracts of Echinacea purpura, Arctium lappa, and the essential oil of Zataria multiflora as a potential herbal mouthwash. The essential oil of Z. multiflora leaves and the extracts of E. purpurea and A. lappa roots were prepared. The characterization was carried out by GC-MS and also, total phenol and flavonoid were assed for all three samples. The antimicrobial and anti-biofilm effects were evaluated against Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus salivarius, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. The cytotoxic effect of the samples was evaluated on HEK 293 and HDFa cells by MTT test. Thymol and carvacrol contents in EO of Z. multiflora were measured at 31% and 42.2%, respectively. A. lappa had the lowest total phenolic and flavonoid value among the samples. On the other hand, the total phenolic content of Z. multiflora and the total flavonoid content of E. purpurea were the highest. The MIC values of Zataria, Arctium, and Echinacea against S. mutans were 0.011% v/v, 187.5 mg/ml, and 93.75 mg/ml, while MBC were 0.011% v/v, 375 mg/ml, and 187.5 mg/ml, respectively. The formulation showed bactericidal activity against S. mutans in the concentration of 5.86 mg/ml for Echinacea and Burdock extracts and 0.08 µl/ml for EO of Zataria. The formulation significantly affected microbial biofilm formation and induced biofilm degradation. The cell viability percentages were higher than 50% during 24 and 48 h. The formulation had a significant antimicrobial effect on cariogenic bacteria and C. albicans, with the lowest cytotoxic effects. Therefore, this formulation can be an appropriate candidate for mouthwash.