Streptococcus mutans sortase A inhibitory metabolites from the flowers of Sophora japonica.

A new maltol derivative (2) along with three known maltol derivative (1) and flavonol glycosides (3 and 4) were isolated from the dried flowers of Sophora japonica. Based upon the results of combined spectroscopic methods, the structure of new compound (2) was determined to be maltol-3-O-(4'-O-cis-p-coumaroyl-6'-O-(3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaroyl))-ß-glucopyranoside, an isomer of 1. These compounds strongly inhibited the action of sortase A (SrtA) from Streptococcus mutans, a primary etiologic agent of human dental caries. The onset and magnitude of inhibition of the saliva-induced aggregation in S. mutans treated with compound 2 (4×IC50) were comparable to the behavior of untreated srtA-deletion mutant.

Enhanced Osteogenesis of Dental Pulp Stem Cells In Vitro Induced by Chitosan-PEG-Incorporated Calcium Phosphate Cement.

The use of bone graft materials is required for the treatment of bone defects damaged beyond the critical defect; therefore, injectable calcium phosphate cement (CPC) is actively used after surgery. The application of various polymers to improve injectability, mechanical strength, and biological function of injection-type CPC is encouraged. We previously developed a chitosan-PEG conjugate (CS/PEG) by a sulfur (VI) fluoride exchange reaction, and the resulting chitosan derivative showed high solubility at a neutral pH. We have demonstrated the CPC incorporated with a poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG)-grafted chitosan (CS/PEG) and developed CS/PEG CPC. The characterization of CS/PEG CPC was conducted using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The initial properties of CS/PEG CPCs, such as the pH, porosity, mechanical strength, zeta potential, and in vitro biocompatibility using the WST-1 assay, were also investigated. Moreover, osteocompatibility of CS/PEG CPCs was carried out via Alizarin Red S staining, immunocytochemistry, and Western blot analysis. CS/PEG CPC has enhanced mechanical strength compared to CPC, and the cohesion test also demonstrated in vivo stability. Furthermore, we determined whether CS/PEG CPC is a suitable candidate for promoting the osteogenic ability of Dental Pulp Stem Cells (DPSC). The elution of CS/PEG CPC entraps more calcium ion than CPC, as confirmed through the zeta potential test. Accordingly, the ion trapping effect of CS/PEG is considered to have played a role in promoting osteogenic differentiation of DPSCs. The results strongly suggested that CS/PEG could be used as suitable additives for improving osteogenic induction of bone substitute materials.

Regression of varicose veins after cyanoacrylate closure of incompetent great saphenous veins without a localized concomitant procedure.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of endovenous cyanoacrylate closure (CAC) of incompetent great saphenous vein (GSV) and to assess the regression of varicose vein following CAC without a concomitant procedure. METHODS: A total of 63 limbs in 48 patients treated with CAC because of an incompetent GSV between December 2016 and November 2017 were retrospectively evaluated. In five limbs, incompetent GSV and small saphenous vein were treated simultaneously in the same session. Duplex ultrasound, Venous Clinical Severity Score, degree of regression of varicose veins, and adverse events were examined at intervals of 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months. RESULTS: In 63 limbs, of which 60 were available for follow-up, all treated GSVs showed complete closure during the follow-up period (8.4 ± 3.0 months). Venous Clinical Severity Scores at the time of all follow-up visits were significantly lower (P < .001) than those before CAC. Complete resolution of varicose veins was noted in 38 limbs (71.7%) after 3-month follow-up. The proportion of limbs showing >50% varicose vein regression reached 90.6%. The more that varicosity entry was covered (P = .002) and the farther down the leg the access site was located (P = .024), the more complete resolution of varicose veins was observed. Phlebitis occurred in 10 limbs (16.7%), and hyperpigmentation occurred in 8 limbs (13.3%). CONCLUSIONS: CAC is safe and effective for the treatment of an incompetent GSV. It also shows a satisfactory result with the regression of varicose veins. Covering the entry of varicosities and accessing lower down the leg are associated with more complete resolution of varicose veins.

Flavonoid Glycosides Inhibit Sortase A and Sortase A-Mediated Aggregation of Streptococcus mutans, an Oral Bacterium Responsible for Human Dental Caries.

Three flavonoids were isolated from dried flowers of Sophora japonica using repetitive column chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography. The flavonoids were identified as rutin (1), quercetin-3'-O-methyl-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1 → 6)-ß-D-glucopyranoside (2), and quercetin (3) on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and comparison of values reported in the literature. These compounds inhibited the action of sortase A (SrtA) from Streptococcus mutans, a primary etiologic agent of human dental caries. The onset and magnitude of inhibition of saliva-induced aggregation of S. mutans treated with compound 1 was comparable to that of untreated S. mutans with a deletion of the srtA gene.