Evaluation of photodynamic therapy on nanoparticles and films loaded-nanoparticles based on chitosan/alginate for curcumin delivery in oral biofilms.

Nanoparticles and nanoparticle-loaded films based on chitosan/sodium alginate with curcumin (CUR) are promising strategies to improve the efficacy of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) for the treatment of oral biofilms. This work aimed to develop and evaluate the nanoparticles based on chitosan and sodium alginate encapsulated with CUR dispersed in polymeric films associated with aPDT in oral biofilms. The NPs were obtained by polyelectrolytic complexation, and the films were prepared by solvent evaporation. The photodynamic effect was evaluated by counting Colony Forming Units (CFU/mL). Both systems showed adequate characterization parameters for CUR release. Nanoparticles controlled the release of CUR for a longer period than the nanoparticle-loaded films in simulated saliva media. Control and CUR-loaded nanoparticles showed a significant reduction of 3 log10 CFU/mL against S. mutans biofilms, compared to treatment without light. However, biofilms of S. mutans showed no photoinactivation effect using films loaded with nanoparticles even in the presence of light. These results demonstrate the potential of chitosan/sodium alginate nanoparticles associated with aPDT as carriers for the oral delivery of CUR, offering new possibilities to improve the treatment of dental caries and infections. This work will contribute to advances in the search for innovative delivery systems in dentistry.

Potential Use of Brazilian Green Propolis Extracts as New Photosensitizers for Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy against Cariogenic Microorganisms.

The synergic effect of Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans increases dental caries severity. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is a non-invasive treatment for antimicrobial aspects. However, the current photosensitizers (PS) have many downsides for dental applications. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of two different Brazilian green propolis (BGP-AF and BGP-AG) as PS for aPDT against these microorganisms. A single-species biofilm was irradiated with crude extracts and their fractions and controls. Such extracts showed the best results and were evaluated in dual-species biofilms. Photodegradation, reactive oxygen species (ROS), cytotoxicity, and color stability assays were also investigated. Reductions higher than 3 log10 CFU/mL (p < 0.0001) occurred for crude BGP in single- and dual-species biofilms. Singlet oxygen was produced in BGP (p < 0.0001). BGP-mediated aPDT delayed S. mutans and C. albicans regrowth after 24 h of treatment (p < 0.0001). Both BGP did not change the color of dental materials (p > 0.05). BGP-AF-mediated aPDT showed 72.41% of oral keratinocyte viability (p < 0.0001). BGP extracts may be used in aPDT against S. mutans and C. albicans. Specifically, BGP-AF may represent a promising PS for dental applications.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect of thymol as an anti-inflammatory and wound healing agent: A review of thymol effect on inflammation and wound healing: A review of thymol effect on inflammation and wound healing.

Thymol (THY) exhibits antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Recent studies have also shown that THY presents anti-inflammatory and healing properties. This review focused on in vitro and in vivo investigations related to THY utilization, as an anti-inflammatory and/or wound healing agent. PubMed, WebOfScience, and Scopus were examined. Independent reviewers conducted all diagram steps. PRISMA was followed for data extraction. RoB 2 and SYRCLE were utilized to assess the risk of bias for in vitro and animal studies. Meta-analysis was performed for in vitro and in vivo articles that investigated THY as an anti-inflammatory agent. Thirty-six and 15 articles were included in the qualitative analysis and meta-analysis, respectively. Studies showed high risk of bias related to sampling, allocation procedures, randomization, and blinding. Even so, for in vitro studies, significant result was observed for IL-2. For in vivo studies, significant results were found for IL-1, IL-17, TNF-α, AST, MPO, and CRP, with higher levels noticed in control groups. THY presents significant properties as anti-inflammatory, ameliorating affections of the digestive system, cardiovascular problems, respiratory system and dermal damages, and burns. Researches are needed to clarify THY dose-response relationship and its mechanism of action, especially in the application of THY as a healing agent.

Efficacy of curcumin-mediated antibacterial photodynamic therapy for oral antisepsis: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: The presence of oral microorganisms resistant to traditional treatment is increasing, thus a search for new therapies is needed. In this context, antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is an approach for the treatment of antibiotic resistant andnon resistant microorganisms. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials of aPDT for oral antisepsis against oral polymicrobial biofilms. METHODS: PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, SciELO, Lilacs, Cochrane Library and Embase databases were searched. In total, five articles were included for qualitative analysis and four articles were used for quantitative analyses. Bias assessment of the eligible articles was made using the RoB 2 criteria. Network meta-analysis was performed using the random-effect model. Subgroup's analysis was also conducted. The groups evaluated were aPDT, exposure to light only and no treatment at all (control group). The quality of evidence was assessed by CINeMA approach. RESULTS: aPDT mediated by curcumin had significant results in the reducing bacterial load (0.31-0.49 log10 UFC/ I2=0%) when compared with the control group. The included articles were classified as low risk of bias, despite biases detected by allocation and blinding. Moreover, quantitative analysis between aPDT and control group and between light and control group were classified with low risk of confidence rating, while the results from aPDT versus light were classified as moderate risk of confidence rating. CONCLUSION: aPDT has significant efficacy for oral antisepsis, however more randomized clinical trials will be needed to validate the present results.

Photobiomodulation in the treatment of xerostomia associated with hyposalivation in a pediatric patient with systemic scleroderma.

Scleroderma is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by excessive collagen production. The oral manifestations of the patient with scleroderma can include microstomia, xerostomia, and changes in the resorption teeth. We report the case of a 7-year-old female patient diagnosed with systemic scleroderma where photobiomodulation therapy was used to treat xerostomia associated with hyposalivation. She attended a pediatric clinic and presented with dry and rigid facial skin, trismus, xerostomia, malocclusion, and difficulty swallowing. Stimulated salivary flow was assessed before, during, and after treatment. Photobiomodulation therapy was conducted at four points at the sublingual glands with 660 nm, 100 mW, and 0.8 J/cm2 to each point; eight points at the parotid glands; and six points at the submandibular glands with 808 nm, 100 mW, and 0.8 J/cm2 for 8 seconds at each point. After this therapy, an increase in salivary flow, remission of the xerostomia, and an improvement in mastication and swallowing were observed. Photobiomodulation therapy was effective in controlling xerostomia in this pediatric patient, resulting in increased salivary flow and an improvement in her quality of life.

Effect of Photodynamic Therapy on Microorganisms Responsible for Dental Caries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review of the literature followed by a meta-analysis about the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) on the microorganisms responsible for dental caries. The research question and the keywords were constructed according to the PICO strategy. The article search was done in Embase, Lilacs, Scielo, Medline, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Pubmed databases. Randomized clinical trials and in vitro studies were selected in the review. The study was conducted according the PRISMA guideline for systematic review. A total of 34 articles were included in the qualitative analysis and four articles were divided into two subgroups to perform the meta-analysis. Few studies have achieved an effective microbial reduction in microorganisms associated with the pathogenesis of dental caries. The results highlight that there is no consensus about the study protocols for PDT against cariogenic microorganisms, although the results showed the PDT could be a good alternative for the treatment of dental caries.

Screening of plants with antimicrobial activity against enterobacteria, Pseudomonas spp. and Staphylococcus spp.

AIM: This study screened plants for antibacterial properties against bacteria of medical importance. MATERIALS & METHODS: 60 extracts were obtained from the leaves of ten plants (Jatropha weddelliana, Attalea phalerata, Buchenavia tomentosa, Croton doctoris, Mouriri elliptica, Mascagnia benthamiana, Senna aculeata, Unonopis guatterioides, Allagoptera leucocalyx and Bactris glaucescens) using different extraction methods: A) Ethanol 70°C/72 h; B) Water/5 min/100°C; C) Water/1 h/55°C; D) Water/72 h; E) Hexane/72 h and F) Ethanol 99°C/72 h. Enterobacteria/Pseudomonas and staphylococci reference strains and 201 clinical isolates were used. Primary screening was done using agar well-diffusion assay. MIC/minimum bactericidal concentration and chemical characterization were determined. RESULTS: Extracts 5F and 3A showed the best MIC/minimum bactericidal concentration against clinical isolates and showed the presence of phenols. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that Mouriri elliptica and Buchenavia tomentosa were the most active plants against the studied bacteria.