Phytochemicals in vital tooth bleaching: Spectrophotometric evaluation of efficacy with papaya, pineapple, or kiwi extracts and 30% hydrogen peroxide.

Context: Dental bleaching, a common cosmetic treatment, typically uses hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Yet, the search for natural options has prompted an investigation into fruit extract efficacies such as papain, bromelain, and actinidin for tooth whitening. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of 30% hydrogen peroxide and fruit extracts (papaya, pineapple, and kiwi) on human enamel using a spectrophotometer at different time intervals. Study Design: Eighty maxillary anterior teeth were stained with tea solution and evaluated for baseline color. They were then divided into four groups: hydrogen peroxide alone and hydrogen peroxide combined with papaya, pineapple, or kiwi extracts. Each group was further divided based on bleaching duration: 10 or 20 min. Materials and Methods: The color value of the bleached teeth was measured using a reflectance spectrophotometer. In order to analyze the data, one-way ANOVA, post hoc Tukey, and paired t-tests were used. The significance level was established at α =0.05. Results: Combining hydrogen peroxide with pineapple extract showed the highest efficacy, followed by papaya and kiwi extracts. Hydrogen peroxide alone also demonstrated significant bleaching efficacy, albeit lower than the combinations with fruit extracts. Conclusion: Combining hydrogen peroxide with pineapple and papaya extracts notably improves dental bleaching efficacy, as shown by reduced color difference (ΔE) values. This underscores the potential of natural enzymes in tooth whitening.

Polyvinylpyrrolidone oral films of enrofloxacin: film characterization and drug release.

Enrofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone derivative used for treating urinary tract, respiratory and skin infections in animals. However, low solubility and low bioavailability prevented it from using on humans. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) is an inert, non toxic polymer with excellent hydrophilic properties, besides it can enhance bioavailability by forming drug polymer conjugates. With the aim of increasing solubility and bioavailability, enrofloxacin thin films were prepared using PVP as a polymer matrix. The obtained oral thin films exhibited excellent uniformity and mechanical properties. Swelling properties of the oral thin films revealed that the water uptake was enhanced by 21%. The surface pH has been found to be 6.8±0.1 indicating that these films will not cause any irritation to oral mucosa. FTIR data of the oral thin films indicated physical interaction between drug and polymer. SEM analysis revealed uniform distribution of drug in polymer matrix. In vitro drug release profiles showed enhanced release profiles (which are also pH dependant) for thin films compared to pure drug. Antibacterial activity was found to be dose dependent and maximum susceptibility was found on Klebsiella pneumonia making this preparation more suitable for respiratory infections.