Exploring the Properties of Deer Antler Velvet (DAV) and its Potential Use in Dentistry: A Narrative Review

@#For centuries, deer antler velvet (DAV) has been a staple in traditional medicine due to its numerous health benefits, including immune stimulation, anti-ageing, wound healing, and anti-osteoporosis properties. Researchers attribute the therapeutic advantages of DAV to various compounds in its extract, ranging from growth hormones to minerals and amino acids. Recently, there has been renewed interest in these natural products for their potential use in treating chronic diseases such as bone health and development, bacterial infections, and sports supplementation to increase athletic performance. The available literature supports that DAV significantly affects bone development, chondrogenesis, and antimicrobial properties, making it a valuable resource in medical and dental settings. This review aims to provide an in-depth overview of the potential applications of DAV in modern medicine and dentistry.

Long-term treatment of dentine with triple antibiotic paste promotes stem cell viability and attachment.

Objective: Successful regenerative endodontic procedures in dental treatment are critically associated with complete disinfection of the root canal and require irrigants and medicaments. One factor for consideration is the biocompatibility of the medicament as this can affect the intracanal dentine and subsequently the dental stem cell viability required for the repair of the dentine-pulp complex. This in vitro study investigated the effect of a 4-week treatment of calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2] and triple antibiotic paste (TAP) on the irrigated radicular dentine by analysing dentine interaction with dental stem cells. Methods: TAP consists of metronidazole, ciprofloxacin and minocycline. Dentine chips were prepared and treated with either Ca(OH)2 or TAP for 4-weeks, irrigated by 1.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), rinsed with saline, followed by 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) cultured on the surface of the dentine chips were analysed on days 1, 3 and 7 of cell seeding for PrestoBlue viability assays, 6-diamidino-2 phenylindole (DAPI) staining and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). An independent t-test (SPSS software version 24.0) was used to statistically analyse the PrestoBlue assay data. Results: DPSCs grown from dentine treated with TAP showed significantly higher cell viability than the Ca(OH)2 and control groups (p < 0.05). DAPI staining of the seeded DPSCs on the treated dental chips complemented the findings of the viability assay. SEM studies also revealed improvements in the cell spreading and attachment of DPSCs grown on TAP-treated dentine compared with Ca(OH)2. Conclusion: The treatment of dentine with TAP for 4 weeks provided a better microenvironment for the viability and attachment of DPSCs when compared to Ca(OH)2.

Effect of low level laser and low intensity pulsed ultrasound therapy on bone remodeling during orthodontic tooth movement in rats.

BACKGROUND: Quality bone regeneration, which leads to the improvement of bone remodeling, is essential for orthodontic treatment. In order to improve bone regeneration and increase the amount of tooth movement, different techniques have been implemented. The object of this study is to compare the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT), low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS), and their combination on bone remodeling during orthodontic tooth movement. METHODS: Eighty (80) male, 6-week-old Sprague Dawley rats were grouped in to four groups, the first group was irradiated with (940 nm) diode laser, second group with LIPUS, and third group with combination of both LLLT and LIPUS. A forth group used was a control group in an incomplete block split-mouth design. The LLLT and LIPUS were used to treat the area around the moving tooth once a day on days 0-7, then the experiment was ended in each experimental endpoint (1, 3, 7, 14, and 21 days). For amount of tooth movement, models were imaged and analyzed. Histological examination was performed after staining with (hematoxylin and eosin) and (alizarin red and Alcian Blue) stain. One step reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction RT-PCR was also performed to elucidate the gene expression of RANK, RANKL, OPG, and RUNX-2. RESULTS: The amount of tooth movement, the histological bone remodeling, and the RT-PCR were significantly greater in the treatment groups than that in the control group. Among the treatment groups, the combination group was the highest and the LIPUS group was the lowest. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that LLLT and LIPUS can enhance the velocity of tooth movement and improve the quality of bone remodeling during orthodontic tooth movement.

A Patient with Beta-Propeller Protein-Associated Neurodegeneration: Treatment with Iron Chelation Therapy

We present a case of beta-propeller protein-associated neurodegeneration, a form of neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation. The patient harbored a novel mutation in the WDR45 gene. A detailed video and description of her clinical condition are provided. Her movement disorder phenomenology was characterized primarily by limb stereotypies and gait dyspraxia. The patient's disability was advanced by the time iron-chelating therapy with deferiprone was initiated, and no clinical response in terms of cognitive function, behavior, speech, or movements were observed after one year of treatment.

GC-MS analysis of some volatile constituents extracted from stem of Euphorbia tirucalli Linn

Euphorbia tirucalli Linn. is traditionally used as medicine especially in the treatment of diseases caused by bacterial pathogens. The objectives of the present study were to identify the bioactive compounds in the stem of Euphorbia tirucalli Linn. using the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS) analysis, and to investigate their potentials as an alternative for antimicrobial activity. Two-microliters of dried powdered of Euphorbia tirucalli Linn. stem were mixed with methanol followed by injection into splitless mode of GC-MS. Separation was achieved by Elite-5MS fused capillary column. The mass spectra were compared with the spectra of known components stored in the NIST and WILEY databases for compound identification. Forty-six chemical constituents were identified. The major constituents were lanosta-8,24-dien-3-ol, (3β)- (13.60%), (23S)-ethylcholest-5-en-(3β)-ol (7.02%), linoleic acid (2.96%) and viminalol (2.57%). Most of the active compounds present in the stem of Euphorbia tirucalli Linn. have previously been shown to exhibit antimicrobial properties.

Effect of 940 nm low-level laser therapy on osteogenesis in vitro.

Bone regeneration is essential in medical treatment, such as in surgical bone healing and orthodontics. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of different powers of 940 nm diode low-level laser treatment (LLLT) on osteoblast cells during their proliferation and differentiation stages. A human fetal osteoblast cell line was cultured and treated with LLLT. The cells were divided into experimental groups according to the power delivered and periods of exposure per day for each laser power. The (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) (MTT) assay was used to determine cell proliferation. Both alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin activity assays were assessed for cell differentiation. All treatment groups showed a significant increase in cell proliferation and differentiation compared to the control group. Regarding the exposure time, the subgroups treated with the LLLT for 6 min showed higher proliferation and differentiation rates for the powers delivered, the 300-mW LLLT group significantly increased the amount of cell proliferation. By contrast, the 100 and 200 mW groups showed significantly greater amounts of cell differentiation. These results suggest that the use of LLLT may play an important role in stimulating osteoblast cells for improved bone formation.