Olive Oil as a Transport Medium for Bioactive Molecules of Plants?-An In Situ Study.

(1) Caries and erosions still remain a challenge for preventive dentistry. Certain plant extracts have shown beneficial effects in preventive dentistry. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial, anti-adherent and erosion-protective properties of ellagic acid (EA) as a polyphenolic agent. The combination with olive oil was investigated additionally to verify a possible improved bioactive effect of EA. (2) An in situ study was carried out with six subjects. Individual splints were prepared with bovine enamel specimens. The splints were worn for 1 min (pellicle formation time). Thereafter, 10 min rinses were performed with EA in water/in oil. Bacterial adherence was evaluated by fluorescence microscopy (DAPI, ConA, BacLight) after an 8 h oral exposition time. Additionally, the splints were worn for 30 min to quantify demineralization processes. The ultrastructure of the pellicle was investigated after an oral exposure time of 2 h under a transmission electron microscope. Statistical analysis was performed by Kruskal-Wallis tests, Mann-Whitney U tests and Bonferroni-Holm correction. (3) Rinsing with EA led to a significant reduction of adherent vital and dead bacteria. The combination with olive oil did not improve these outcomes. The assessment of glucan structures after rinsing with EA in water showed significant effects. Significant differences were observed for both rinses in calcium release at pH 3.0. After rinsing with EA in oil, significantly less calcium was released compared to rinsing with EA in water (pH = 3.0). (4) Olive oil is not suitable as a transport medium for lipophilic polyphenols. EA has anti-adherent and antibacterial properties in situ. EA also shows erosion-protective effects, which can be enhanced in combination with olive oil depending on the pH value. Ellagic acid has a neutral pH and could be an opportunity in the treatment of specific patient groups (xerostomia or mucositis).

Effect of fragaria vesca, hamamelis and tormentil on the initial bacterial colonization in situ.

OBJECTIVE: The presentin situ study aims to examine the influence of the polyphenolic tea drugs fragaria vesca, hamamelis and tormentil on the initial oral bioadhesion. DESIGN: Initial biofilm formation was performed on bovine enamel slabs which were carried intraorally by 12 subjects. After 1 min of intraoral pellicle formation, the subjects rinsed with fragaria vesca, tormentil (0.8 mg/8 mL) and hamamelis (0.2 mg/8 mL) for 10 min. Tap water served as negative control, 0.2 % CHX as positive control. The investigations took place on different days (wash-out: 2 days). Afterwards, fluorescence microscopy has been performed per test solution (n = 5) and per subject (n = 12) to visualize bacterial adhesion and glucan formation (8 h oral exposition) with DAPI, ConA and BacLight. Additionally, TEM was used to visualize the pellicle ultrastructure and expectorate samples. Statistical evaluation was carried out using the Kruskal-Wallis- (p < 0.5), Mann-Whitney U test (p < 0.5) and Bonferroni-Holm-correction (p < 0.1). RESULTS: Rinsing with the polyphenolic tea extracts reduced significantly initial bacterial colonization (DAPI) compared to the negative control. There was no significant difference betweenfragaria vesca, hamamelis and tormentil. All solutions showed a reducing effect on the glucan formation. No significant difference was observed between fragaria vesca and CHX. Considerable alterations of the pellicle's ultrastructure manifested by an increase in thickness and electron density resulted from rinsing with the three polyphenolic aqueous extracts. CONCLUSIONS: Fragaria vesca, hamamelis and tormentil significantly reduce initial bioadhesion and glucan formation in situ and are therefore recommended as adjuvant antibacterial oral therapeutics.

Detection of herpesvirus and adenovirus co-infections with diagnostic DNA-microarrays.

In immunocompromised patients, the diagnosis of infections with herpesviruses and adenoviruses relies mainly on PCR amplification of viral genomic DNA from clinical samples. In the case of co-infections with two or more viruses, single amplification of viral DNA from clinical samples has proven to be time-consuming and expensive, hampering the efficient diagnosis and therapy of viral co-infections. In this study, a diagnostic DNA-microarray allowing simultaneous detection of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV 1/2), varicella zoster virus (VZV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), human herpesvirus-6 types A and B (HHV-6 A/B), and adenovirus in clinical samples was developed and validated. The assay displays a high analytical sensitivity (10genomeequivalents(GE)/reaction) and specificity, being cost-effective and time-saving. Because the DNA-microarray uses the same analytical conditions as real-time quantitative PCR, it can be used as a screening device for multiple viral infections, followed by selective viral load measurement depending on the clinical context. Those features make the DNA-microarray an attractive device for the management of viral infections in immunocompromised patients.