Evaluation of Chemical, Biochemical and Anti-Microbial Effects of Salvadora persica and Moringa oleifera Extract to Produce Organic Disinfectant Products.

Oral hygiene is one of the most influential and important issues in people's health. People have been using herbal components to maintain their oral hygiene for centuries. Oral cancer develops in the oral cavity, and its origin always lies in the growth of malignant epithelial tissue cells. Due to the spread of this cancer in Iran, we intend to measure the antibacterial effects of the combination of Salvadora persica and Moringa oleifera extracts. Cariogenic bacteria are one leading cause of oral cancer. We used this extract in mouthwash, toothpaste, and chewing gum, and we expect that it would reduce cell proliferation and be used in prevention and treatment. The new organic mouthwash, chewing gum, and toothpaste were designed and prepared using M. oleifera oil, S. persica, M. oleifera extract, the powder of S. persica wood, and M. oleifera leaves. With the use of herbal compounds in the preparation of these products, the quantity of essential chemical ingredients in the prepared samples was decreased. We examined the quality and stability of mouthwash, toothpaste, and chewing gum that indicated the standard level of each substance. Furthermore, we evaluated the antibacterial effects of our products, which indicated that our products can significantly reduce the total bacterial count. For the first time, a combination of S. persica and M. oleifera extract replaced chemicals in mouthwash, toothpaste, and chewing gum. Natural herbal ingredients with antimicrobial activity are effective in maintaining low bacterial counts in the mouth, and as a result, improving oral hygiene and health.

ERK and RAF1 genes: analysis of methylation and expression profiles in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma.

The Ras/RAF/MEK/ERK1/2 pathway is important in the control of growth signals, differentiation and cell survival. Over-expression and activation of this pathway have been reported in different types of cancer. This study analyses the promoter methylation and RNA expression profiles of ERK and RAF1 genes with risk of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) along with the promoter methylation status of ERK and RAF1 genes using a methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MS-PCR) in 86 paraffin-wax embedded samples of OSCC and 68 normal control tissues. Furthermore, ERK and RAF1 expression was analysed in 19 cases and 20 normal samples by real-time reverse transcription PCR. Frequency of promoter methylation was detected for ERK (93.02% and 6.98%) and RAF1 (95.35% and 4.65%) genes in cases and controls, respectively. Messenger RNA (mRNA) expression analysis indicated statistically significant difference between cases and controls for ERK (P < 0.002) and RAF1 (P < 0.006). The authors believe that this is the first report to show that expression of ERK and RAF1 is involved in risk of OSCC.

The L55M polymorphism of paraoxonase-1 is a risk factor for rheumatoid arthritis.

Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) is a high-density lipoprotein-associated enzyme that exhibits antioxidant and antiatherogenic activities. We examined a possible association between T172A (L55M) and T(-107)C polymorphisms and rheumatoid arthritis. These polymorphisms were determined in 88 rheumatoid arthritis patients and 78 healthy subjects, using the tetra-amplification refractory mutation system-PCR method. The prevalence of the PON1 55MM genotype was significantly greater among rheumatoid arthritis patients (17%) when compared to control subjects (5.2%) (odds ratio (OR) = 3.75; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.87-11.8, P = 0.025). In addition, the M allele was more frequent in rheumatoid arthritis patients (40%) than in healthy subjects (24.7%) (OR = 1.997; 95%CI = 1.243-3.210, P = 0.005). There were no significant differences in the -107C/T polymorphism in the promoter sequence of PON1 between rheumatoid arthritis and normal subjects (chi(2) = 0.861, P = 0.650). In conclusion, the PON1 55MM genotype is a risk factor for rheumatoid arthritis.

Lack of association between paraoxonase-1 Q192R polymorphism and rheumatoid arthritis in southeast Iran.

Decreased paraoxonase-1 (PON1) activity has been associated with rheumatoid arthritis. There are two polymorphisms in serum PON1; one differs in the amino acid at position 192 (Q192R) and the other one differs at position 55 (L55M). We looked for a possible association between Q192R polymorphism and rheumatoid arthritis. The Q192R polymorphism in 88 rheumatoid arthritis patients and 78 healthy subjects was determined using tetra amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR) and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) methods. We found no significant differences between rheumatoid arthritis patients and control subjects regarding PON1 Q192R polymorphism. PON1 Q192R polymorphism was not found to be correlated with increased risk for rheumatoid arthritis in this Iranian population.

CpG island methylation of TMS1/ASC and CASP8 genes in cervical cancer.

BACKGROUND: Gene silencing associated with aberrant methylation of promoter region CpG islands is an acquired epigenetic alteration that serves as an alternative to genetic defects in the inactivation of tumor suppressor and other genes in human cancers. AIMS: This study describes the methylation status of TMS1/ASC and CASP8 genes in cervical cancer. We also examined the prevalence of TMS1/ASC and CASP8 genes methylation in cervical cancer tissue and none--neo plastic samples in an effort to correlate with smoking habit and clinicopathological features. METHOD: Target DNA was modified by sodium bisulfite, converting all unmethylated, but not methylated, cytosines to uracil, and subsequently amplified by Methylation Specific (MS) PCR with primers specific for methylated versus unmethylated DNA. The PCR product was detected by gel electrophoresis and combined with the clinical records of patients. RESULTS: The methylation pattern of the TMS1/ASC and CASP8 genes in specimens of cervical cancer and adjacent normal tissues were detected (5/80 (6.2%), 3/80 (3.75%)-2/80 (2.5%), 1/80 (1.2%) respectively). No statistical differences were seen in the extent of differentiation, invasion, pathological type and smoking habit between the methylated and unmethylated tissues (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The present study conclude that the frequency of TMS1/ASC and CASP8 genes methylation in cervical cancer are rare (< 6%), and have no any critical role in development of cervical cancer.

Effect of NBS1 gene polymorphism on the risk of cervix carcinoma in a northern Indian population.

Cervical cancer is one of the most common neoplastic diseases affecting women, with a worldwide incidence of almost half a million cases. A history of smoking and use of oral contraceptives have been confirmed to be risk factors for cervical cancer. Genetic susceptibility and immune response, especially impaired cellular immune response, may well be related to the development of cervical cancer. NBS1 is one of the key proteins participating in the recognition and repair of double-strand breaks that may lead to genomic instability and cancer if unrepaired. The objective of the present study was therefore to investigate NBS1 Glu185Gln gene polymorphisms and the risk of cervix cancer in a northern Indian population. We found that passive smokers having particular NBS1 genotypes (Glu/Gln, Gln/Gln or Glu/Gln + Gln/Gln)have an increased risk of developing cervix cancer (OR 5.21, p=0.000001; OR 4.60, p=0.001; OR 5.10, p=0.0000009, respectively).The risk was increased 2.4-fold in oral contraceptive users with a Glu/Gln genotype. We conclude that the risk of cervical cancer is increased in passive smokers and in users of oral contraceptives with certain NBS1 genotypes.

Association of Fas-670 gene polymorphism with risk of cervical cancer in North Indian population.

OBJECTIVES: Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the world, with approximately 470,000 new cases and 231,000 deaths occurring each year. Incidence is greater in developing countries such as India, where this is the most common female malignancy with almost 100,000 new cases each year. Apoptosis must be considered as a safe mechanism that controls the integrity of the cell erasing abnormal clones and it is likely that failure of apoptosis constitutes a key factor responsible for tumor formation, progression and resistance to drugs. The Fas gene plays a key role in regulation of apoptotic cell death and corruption of this signaling pathway has been shown to participate in immune escape and tumorgenesis. STUDY DESIGN: A single-nucleotide polymorphism at -670 of Fas gene promoter (A/G) was examined in a total of 400 blood samples from normal healthy women and cervical cancer patients, using polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique. RESULTS: Significant association was observed for AG (OR = 3.0, 95% CI = (1.68-5.09, p < 0.001) and combined AG+GG (OR = 2.54, 95% CI = 1.47-4.40, p < 0.001) genotype with risk of cervical cancer. Heterozygous genotype (AG) in SCC showed a highly significant association with risk of cervical cancer (OR = 2.57, 95% CI = 1.47-4.50 p <0.001). Similarly, combined AG+GG genotype had a 2.25-fold risk for SCC patients (OR = 2.25, 95% CI = 1.30-3.90, p < 0.001). There was high increase risk of cervical cancer in passive smokers with AG and combined (AG+GG) genotypes (OR = 4.6, 95% CI = 2.07-10.32, p < 0.001 - OR = 4.9, 95% CI = 2.20-10.32, p < 0.001), respectively. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to provide evidence for the association of a Fas -670 (A/G) gene polymorphism with the risk of cervical cancer in a North Indian population.