Silymarin enriched gelatin methacrylamide bioink imparts hepatoprotectivity to 3D bioprinted liver construct against carbon tetrachloride induced toxicity.

Three-dimensional liver bioprinting is an emerging technology in the field of regenerative medicine that aids in the creation of functional tissue constructs that can be used as transplantable organ substitutes. During transplantation, the bioprinted donor liver must be protected from the oxidative stress environment created by various factors during the transplantation procedure, as well as from drug-induced damage from medications taken as part of the post-surgery medication regimen following the procedure. In this study, Silymarin, a flavonoid with the hepatoprotective properties were introduced into the GelMA bioink formulation to protect the bioprinted liver against hepatotoxicity. The concentration of silymarin to be added in GelMA was optimised, bioink properties were evaluated, and HepG2 cells were used to bioprint liver tissue. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) was used to induce hepatotoxicity in bioprinted liver, and the effect of this chemical on the metabolic activities of HepG2 cells was studied. The results showed that Silymarin helps with albumin synthesis and shields liver tissue from the damaging effects of CCl4. According to gene expression analysis, CCl4 treatment increased TNF-α and the antioxidant enzyme SOD expression in HepG2 cells while the presence of silymarin protected the bioprinted construct from CCl4-induced damage. Thus, the outcomes demonstrate that the addition of silymarin in GelMA formulation protects liver function in toxic environments.

Evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy of Triphala (an Indian Ayurvedic herbal formulation) and 0.2% chlorhexidine against Streptococcus mutans biofilm formed on tooth substrate: an in vitro study.

BACKGROUND: Streptococcus mutans is one of the most important cariogenic species of the human oral microbial flora. Biofilm style of microbial growth thought to resist the actions of antimicrobials. AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of Triphala, and 0.2% chlorhexidine against S. mutans biofilm formed on tooth substrate. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Randomized control trial. METHODS: Extracted human mandibular premolars sectioned below the cemento-enamel junction were placed in the tissue culture wells exposing the crown surface to S. mutans to form a biofilm. At the end of 3 rd and 7 th day, all groups were treated for 10 min with the test solutions and control and were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: One-way ANOVA. RESULTS: Qualitative assay with 3 days biofilm showed complete inhibition of bacterial growth with Triphala, but 0.2% chlorhexidine and saline showed the presence of bacterial growth. In quantitative analysis, 0.2% chlorhexidine and Saline treated tooth samples have shown 1052 Χ 10(4) ± 15.1 Χ 10(4) CFU/ml, 141.3 Χ 10(9) ± 2.1Χ10(9) CFU/ml, respectively. Qualitative assay with 7 days biofilm on crown portion showed dense growth when treated with 0.2% chlorhexidine and saline, whereas Triphala has shown minimal growth. In Quantitative analysis, Triphala showed statistically significant result when compared with 0.2% chlorhexidine and saline. CONCLUSION: Triphala showed statistically significant antibacterial activity against S. mutans biofilm formed on tooth substrate. The incorporation of Triphala in mouth rinse could prove to be effective in reducing S. mutans count in the oral cavity.

In vitro study on α-amylase inhibitory activity of an Indian medicinal plant, Phyllanthus amarus.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the α-amylase inhibitory activity of different extracts of Phyllanthus amarus against porcine pancreatic amylase in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The plant extracts were prepared sequentially with ethanol, chloroform, and hexane. Each extract was evaporated using rotary evaporator, under reduced pressure. Different concentrations (10, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 µg/mL) of each extract were made by using dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and subjected to α-amylase inhibitory assay using starch azure as a substrate. The absorbance was read at 595 nm using spectrophotometer. Using this method, the percentage of α-amylase inhibitory activity and IC(50)values of each extract was calculated. RESULTS: The chloroform extract failed to inhibit α-amylase activity. However, the ethanol and hexane extracts of P. amarus exhibited appreciable α-amylase inhibitory activity with an IC50 values 36.05 ± 4.01 µg/mL and 48.92 ± 3.43 µg/mL, respectively, when compared with acarbose (IC(50)value 83.33 ± 0.34 µg/mL). CONCLUSION: This study supports the ayurvedic concept that ethanol and hexane extracts of P. amarus exhibit considerable α-amylase inhibitory activities. Further, this study supports its usage in ethnomedicines for management of diabetes.

Evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy of herbal alternatives (Triphala and green tea polyphenols), MTAD, and 5% sodium hypochlorite against Enterococcus faecalis biofilm formed on tooth substrate: an in vitro study.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of Triphala, green tea polyphenols (GTP), MTAD, and 5% sodium hypochlorite against E. faecalis biofilm formed on tooth substrate. METHODS: Extracted human teeth were biomechanically prepared, vertically sectioned, placed in the tissue culture wells exposing the root canal surface to E. faecalis to form a biofilm. At the end of the 3rd and 6th weeks all groups were treated for 10 minutes with the test solutions and control and were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. RESULTS: Qualitative assay with 3-week biofilm showed complete inhibition of bacterial growth with Triphala, MTAD and NaOCl, except GTP and saline, which showed presence of bacterial growth. In quantitative analysis, GTP- and saline-treated tooth samples have shown 1516 +/- 17.2 CFU/mL, 156.4 x 10(9) +/- 3.1 x 10(9) CFU/mL respectively. Qualitative assay with 6-week biofilm showed growth when treated with Triphala, GTP and MTAD whereas NaOCl has shown complete inhibition. All groups except NaOCl showed eight log reduction when compared to control when analyzed quantitatively. CONCLUSIONS: 5% sodium hypochlorite showed maximum antibacterial activity against E. Faecalis biofilm formed on tooth substrate. Triphala, green tea polyphenols and MTAD showed statistically significant antibacterial activity. The use of herbal alternatives as a root canal irrigant might prove to be advantageous considering the several undesirable characteristics of NaOCl.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal morphology and dark septate fungal associations in medicinal and aromatic plants of Western Ghats, Southern India.

We investigated roots of 107 medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) in the Western Ghats region of Southern India for arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and dark septate endophyte (DSE) associations. Of the 107 MAPs belonging to 98 genera in 52 families examined, 79 were AM and 38 harbored a DSE association. Typical Arum- and Paris-type mycorrhizas are first reported in the presumed nonmycorrhizal family Amaranthaceae. Similarly, DSE associations are recorded for the first time in nine plant families and 37 plant species. Thirty MAPs had both AM and DSE associations. The number of MAPs having Arum-type mycorrhiza was greater than those having Paris-type. This was more prominent among herbaceous plants than in trees where the Paris-type was predominant. Similarly, the Arum-type was more prevalent in annuals than in perennials. DSE associations were more frequent in herbs and perennials compared to other MAPs.