Development of lamellar gel phase emulsion containing marigold oil (Calendula officinalis) as a potential modern wound dressing.

Appropriate therapeutics for wound treatments can be achieved by studying the pathophysiology of tissue repair. Here we develop formulations of lamellar gel phase (LGP) emulsions containing marigold (Calendula officinalis) oil, evaluating their stability and activity on experimental wound healing in rats. LGP emulsions were developed and evaluated based on a phase ternary diagram to select the best LGP emulsion, having a good amount of anisotropic structure and stability. The selected LGP formulation was analyzed according to the intrinsic and accelerated physical stability at different temperatures. In addition, in vitro and in vivo studies were carried out on wound healing rats as a model. The LGP emulsion (15.0% marigold oil; 10.0% of blend surfactants and 75.0% of purified water [w/w/w]) demonstrated good stability and high viscosity, suggesting longer contact of the formulation with the wound. No cytotoxic activity (50-1000 µg/mL) was observed in marigold oil. In the wound healing rat model, the LGP (15 mg/mL) showed an increase in the leukocyte recruitment to the wound at least on days 2 and 7, but reduced leukocyte recruitment after 14 and 21 days, as compared to the control. Additionally, collagen production was reduced in the LGP emulsion on days 2 and 7 and further accelerated the process of re-epithelialization of the wound itself. The methodology utilized in the present study has produced a potentially useful formulation for a stable LGP emulsion-containing marigold, which was able to improve the wound healing process.

Inhibiting effect of Dorstenia asaroides extracts on cariogenic properties of Streptococcus mutans.

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of Dorstenia asaroides extracts on cariogenic properties of the most cariogenic bacteria, Streptococcus mutans. Hexane (HFr), ethyl-acetate (EFr) and chloroform (CFr) extracts obtained from D. asaroides rhizomes were submitted to chemical analyses, Minimal Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC), glycolysis assay and S. mutans 12-h-old initial biofilms. Chemical characterization showed that all the extracts present furanocoumarins. The MIC values were 80 (HFr and CFr) and 50 µg/mL (EFr). Acid production by S. mutans cells was significantly disrupted by HFr (12.5 mg/mL), EFr (at 2.5; 6.25 and 12.5 mg/mL) and CFr (at 2.5, 6.25 and 12.5 mg/mL) (p < 0.01). Topical applications of HFr, EFr and CFr significantly reduced the colony forming units of S. mutans biofilms compared with those treated with control group in order to 20, 30 and 25% respectively (p < 0.01). The results of the present study suggest that rhizomes of D. asaroides had inhibitory effects on cariogenic properties of S. mutans.

Assessment of the potential genotoxic risk of medicinal Tamarindus indica fruit pulp extract using in vivo assays.

Tamarindus indica has been used in folk medicine as an antidiabetic, a digestive aid, and a carminative, among other uses. Currently, there is no information in the toxicology literature concerning the safety of T. indica extract. We evaluated the clastogenic and/or genotoxic potential of fruit pulp extract of this plant in vivo in peripheral blood and liver cells of Wistar rats, using the comet assay, and in bone marrow cells of Swiss mice, using the micronucleus test. The extract was administered by gavage at doses of 1000, 1500 and 2000 mg/kg body weight. Peripheral blood and liver cells from Wistar rats were collected 24 h after treatment, for the comet assay. The micronucleus test was carried out in bone marrow cells from Swiss mice collected 24 h after treatment. The extract made with T. indica was devoid of clastogenic and genotoxic activities in the cells of the rodents, when administered orally at these three acute doses.

Enhanced in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activity and mobilization of free phenolic compounds of soybean flour fermented with different beta-glucosidase-producing fungi.

AIMS: To evaluate the soybean polyphenol glucosides bioconversion to aglycone forms by different beta-glucosidases-producing filamentous fungi to enhance their antioxidant activity. METHODS AND RESULTS: Soybean defatted flour was submitted to solid-state fermentation with Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus niveus and Aspergillus awamori. The fungi studied produced approximately the same beta-glucosidase activity units amount when p-nitrophenyl-beta-d-glucopyranoside was used as substrate for the assay. However, electrophoretic analysis, using 4-methylumbellipheryl-beta-d-glucopyranoside as substrate, showed that beta-glucosidase produced by A. niveus was more active. Fermented methanolic extracts showed an increase in polyphenol and genistein contents and antioxidant activities. The highest genistein content was found in soybean fermented by A. niveus. Methanolic extracts of the soybean fermented by the different fungi showed a similar capacity of scavenging H(2)O(2) generated in vivo by the tumour promoter 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate. CONCLUSIONS: A. niveus synthesized a beta-glucosidase with higher specificity to hydrolyse genistin beta-glycosidic bond than those produced by A. awamori and A. niger. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The utilization of these beta-glucosidases-producing fungi in soybean fermentation processes resulted in the obtaining of methanolic extracts with different antioxidant potentials that could be used either therapeutically or as an antioxidant in nonphysiological oxidative stress conditions, as the one induced in skin by UV radiation.

Toluene permeabilization differentially affects F- and P-type ATPase activities present in the plasma membrane of Streptococcus mutans

Streptococcus mutans membrane-bound P- and F-type ATPases are responsible for H+ extrusion from the cytoplasm thus keeping intracellular pH appropriate for cell metabolism. Toluene-permeabilized bacterial cells have long been used to study total membrane-bound ATPase activity, and to compare the properties of ATPase in situ with those in membrane-rich fractions. The aim of the present research was to determine if toluene permeabilization can significantly modify the activity of membrane-bound ATPase of both F-type and P-type. ATPase activity was assayed discontinuously by measuring phosphate release from ATP as substrate. Treatment of S. mutans membrane fractions with toluene reduced total ATPase activity by approximately 80 percent and did not allow differentiation between F- and P-type ATPase activities by use of the standard inhibitors vanadate (3 µM) and oligomycin (4 µg/mL). Transmission electron microscopy shows that, after S. mutans cells permeabilization with toluene, bacterial cell wall and plasma membrane are severely injured, causing cytoplasmic leakage. As a consequence, loss of cell viability and disruption of H+ extrusion were observed. These data suggest that treatment of S. mutans with toluene is an efficient method for cell disruption, but care should be taken in the interpretation of ATPase activity when toluene-permeabilized cells are used, because results may not reflect the real P- and F-type ATPase activities present in intact cell membranes. The mild conditions used for the preparation of membrane fractions may be more suitable to study specific ATPase activity in the presence of biological agents, since this method preserves ATPase selectivity for standard inhibitors.

Toluene permeabilization differentially affects F- and P-type ATPase activities present in the plasma membrane of Streptococcus mutans.

Streptococcus mutans membrane-bound P- and F-type ATPases are responsible for H+ extrusion from the cytoplasm thus keeping intracellular pH appropriate for cell metabolism. Toluene-permeabilized bacterial cells have long been used to study total membrane-bound ATPase activity, and to compare the properties of ATPase in situ with those in membrane-rich fractions. The aim of the present research was to determine if toluene permeabilization can significantly modify the activity of membrane-bound ATPase of both F-type and P-type. ATPase activity was assayed discontinuously by measuring phosphate release from ATP as substrate. Treatment of S. mutans membrane fractions with toluene reduced total ATPase activity by approximately 80% and did not allow differentiation between F- and P-type ATPase activities by use of the standard inhibitors vanadate (3 microM) and oligomycin (4 microg/mL). Transmission electron microscopy shows that, after S. mutans cells permeabilization with toluene, bacterial cell wall and plasma membrane are severely injured, causing cytoplasmic leakage. As a consequence, loss of cell viability and disruption of H+ extrusion were observed. These data suggest that treatment of S. mutans with toluene is an efficient method for cell disruption, but care should be taken in the interpretation of ATPase activity when toluene-permeabilized cells are used, because results may not reflect the real P- and F-type ATPase activities present in intact cell membranes. The mild conditions used for the preparation of membrane fractions may be more suitable to study specific ATPase activity in the presence of biological agents, since this method preserves ATPase selectivity for standard inhibitors.

Potencial tóxico dos alginatos para uso odontológico / Potencial toxicity of dental alginates

O alginato ou hidrocolóide irreversível é um dos materiais de moldagem mais aceitos e utilizados na Odontologia. Muitas substâncias como zinco, cádmio, silicato de chumbo e fluoretos foram adicionadas em algumas marcas de alginatos, com o objetivo de melhorar suas propriedades físicas, químicas, mecânicas e se tornaram causa de preocupação no que se refere à toxicidade desses materiais. Em algumas marcas de alginatos relatou-se a presença de fluoretos, cádmio, silicatos de chumbo e zinco potencialmente tóxicos, isoladamente ou em conjunto, consequentemente, cuidados especiais devem ser tomados na preparação desses materiais. É necessário que haja um controle contínuo de metais e substâncias potencialmente tóxicas nos alginatos para se evitar a contaminação dos profissionais da área odontológica e pacientes. Nesta revisão analisou-se o potencial tóxico de alginatos usados em odontologia.

Quantitative analysis of potentially toxic metals in alginates for dental use

Alginate is one de materials most employed in practice to make dental impressions. Substances like zinc, cadmium and lead silicate, which are included in several alginate brands with the aim of improving their physical, chemical and mechanical properties, are a source of serious concern regards their toxicity. The most serious chronic effect of oral exposure to cadmium is renal toxicity. Assimilation of lead has deleterious effects on the gastrointestinal tract, hematopoietic system, cardiovascular system, central and peripheral nervous systems, kidneys, immune system, and reproductive system. Chronic oral exposures to zinc have resulted in hypochromic and microcyte anemia in some individuals. The aim of the present study was to measure the cadmium, lead and zinc contents of seven brands of alginate for dental use on sale in Brazil. The samples were weighed and placed in the Teflon cups of a closed-system microwave oven. Aqua regia (4 mL concentrated HCl:HNO3, 3:1 v/v) and hydrofluoric acid (2mL concentrated HF) were added to the samples, which were then subjected to heating. The samples were then cooled to room temperature and diluted to 25 mL in deionized water in a volumetric glass flask. The samples were diluted in duplicate and analyzed against a reagent blank. The analyses were performed in an atomic absorption flame spectrophotometer. Neither lead nor cadmium was detected. Zinc contents ranged from 0.001% to 1.36% by weight. The alginates exhibited low contents of the metals under study and gave no cause for concern regarding toxicity; even so, it is advisable to monitor potentially toxic materials continually and to analyze their plasmatic levels in the professionals working with them

Análise quantitativa de fluoretos nos alginatos para uso odontológico / Quantitative analysis of fluorides in alginates for dental use

Este trabalho teve como proposta analisar quantitativamente o conteúdo de fluoretos nos alginatos para uso odontológico e a liberação de fluoretos de moldes desses alginatos em água milliQ,saliva artificial e ácido clorídrico 0,1 mol/l.Foram investigadas sete marcas de alginatos disponíveis comercialmente no Brasil, sendo analisados dois lotes de cada material.As concentrações de fluoretos nas diferentes amostras foram determinadas por potenciometria direta, utilizando o eletrodo seletivo combinado de fluoreto.Os materiais que apresentaram maiores concentrações médias de fluoreto total foram Hydrogum (7052,87μg/g), Jeltrate Plus (6519,68μg/g) e Orthoprint (6218,18μg/g).Apenas os materiais das marcas Hydrogum e Jeltrate apresentaram diferenças nas concentrações de fluoretos entre os lotes um e dois.Os materiais apresentaram diferenças na liberação de fluoretos dos moldes, cujas maiores concentrações médias foram liberadas pelas marcas Hydrogum e Orthoprint.O meio influenciou na liberação de fluoreto, sendo que na saliva foi menor que na água e nesta foi inferior ao ácido.Os moldes dos materiais que mais liberaram fluoretos nos três meios (saliva, água e ácido) foram os do Hydrogum e Orthoprint.Considerando que as concentrações de fluoretos encontradas nos alginatos são altas e que existem diferentes fontes de exposição aos fluoretos, há necessidade de constante monitoramento dos alginatos para uso odontológico

Construction and evaluation of an inexpensive device that simulates oral clearance.

The clearance pattern of a specific substance is very important to estimate its oral availability. Devices or models that simulate clearance in the mouth are important to study the effects and retention time of foods and drugs. This report describes an efficient device which was assembled with low-cost materials in our laboratory and that can be used to study the clearance of cariogenic substrates, mouthwashes, programmed-release drugs as well as adsorption of drugs to enamel. The device can have up to three chambers with varying minimum and maximum volumes that can be eluted simultaneously at different flows. The simulated swallowed volumes are adjustable and the ratio between the maximum and minimum volumes can be programmed. We also present the results of an evaluation study using the device to determine the clearance of fluoride from a fluoride-containing mouthwash, the clearance of a 1% glucose solution and the programmed release of fluoride from a methacrylate bioadhesive using artificial saliva as eluent.

Potential use of gelcasting hydroxyapatite porous ceramic as an implantable drug delivery system.

Hydroxyapatite (HA) ceramic in a porous configuration is suggested as a drug release system. A new technique for the production of this material, based on the foaming of suspensions and in situ polymerization (gelcasting method), resulted in a material whose characteristics are likely to make it useful as an implantable drug delivery system. Three batches of HA ceramic with different porosities were characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Pore size and shape as well as density were determined. In vitro experiments were performed in order to evaluate the dissolution behavior of cisplatin in the system. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the final product consisted of a single phase, indicating that the sintering process had not affected the structure of the HA. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) showed absence of impurities. Pore diameters were in the range 15--34 microm. SEM showed that the material presented a highly interconnected spheroidal porous network with open micropores and closed macropores. In vitro experiments showed significant differences in the release rate of cisplatin between three different porosities.

Enamel fluoride concentrations in unerupted third molars and the influence of fluoridated water on caries scores.

Enamel fluoride concentrations in buccal and lingual surfaces were determined in successive layers obtained by the acid etch method. The 48 unerupted third molar teeth were from subjects who had lived continuously since birth in two Brazilian towns (Barretos and Ribeirão Pr-eto) with different fluoride levels in the drinking water but with similar socioeconomic conditions. The DMFT index was determined for children 7-12 years old living in the two towns. Enamel fluoride concentrations were significantly higher in the teeth from the town with higher fluoride levels in drinking water. The children residing in the community with near-optimum fluoride concentration in the water had mean DMFT scores that were less than half those found in the community with a low level of fluoride in the drinking water.

[Evaluation of fluoride levels in drinking water of towns in the Ribeirão Preto area]. / Avaliação teor de fluoreto na água de abastecimento de cidades na região de Ribeirão Preto.

A fluoride selective electrode was employed to determinate the fluoride levels in samples of city water from Ribeirão Preto region. Values between 0.1-0.5 ppm, 0.5-0.7 ppm and 0.7-1.0 ppm were detected in the water from respectively 17 (25%), 13 (19.1%) and 7 (10.3%) cities. Samples from the others 31 (45.6%) cities studied did not show significant levels of fluoride when analyzed by this method.

Brain endo-oligopeptidase B: inactivation of LH-RH by hydrolysis of the Pro9-Gly-NH2(10) peptide bond.

1. The site of hydrolysis of rabbit brain endo-oligopeptidase B acting on luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) was determined by isolating the products by chromatography on Aminex A-5 resin developed with pyridine-acetic acid buffer. The products [des-Gly-NH2(10)]-LH-RH, glycinamide and unhydrolyzed LH-RH were identified and shown to be homogeneous by amino acid analysis and high-voltage paper electrophoresis at pH 2.1 and 3.5 and recovered in yields of 58, 65 and 23%, respectively. 2. A sensitive analytical method for the measurement of 4-40 nmoles of glycinamide with an automatic amino acid analyzer was described. Aminex A-5 resin (0.90 x 15 cm) was eluted with sodium citrate buffer, pH 3.25 (0.2 N Na+) at 32 degrees C and ninhydrin was used for detection. 3. The data show that endo-oligopeptidase B acts as a post-proline cleaving enzyme that inactivates LH-RH by hydrolysis of the Pro9-Gly-NH2(10) peptide bond. The enzyme may participate in the metabolism of LH-RH in the central nervous system.

Brain endo-oligopeptidase B: a post-proline cleaving enzyme that inactivates angiotensin I and II.

Rabbit brain endo-oligopeptidase B inactivates angiotensin I (Asp-Arg-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-Phe-His-Leu) and angiotensin II (Asp-Arg-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-Phe) by hydrolysis of the Pro7-Phe8 peptide bond. The site of hydrolysis was determined in preparative and analytical experiments in which both products were recovered in a molar ratio of 1:1, and the sum of the products plus unhydrolyzed substrate accounted for the starting material. The enzyme has a Km of 6.3 x 10(-5) M for angiotensin II at pH 8.3 and is activated 30-fold with 4.8 mM dithiothreitol. BPP9a ( less than Gln-Trp-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gln-Ile-Pro-Pro, SQ 20,881) inhibits the inactivation of angiotensin II with an I50 of 5 x 10(-5) M. BPP5a (less than Gln-Lys-Trp-Ala-Pro, SQ 20,475) is less active and D-3-mercapto-2-methylpropanoyl-L-proline (captopril, SQ 14,225) has essentially no activity. These endo-oligopeptidase B in angiotensin I and II metabolism remains to be established.

Chromatographic determination of angiotensin-converting enzyme and angiotensinase activity.

An analytical method utilizing an automatic amino acid analyzer is described for the separation, identification, and measurement of 5 to 50 nmol of angiotensin I, angiotensin II, [Des-Phe8]angiotensin II, Phe-His-Leu, His-Leu, isoleucine, leucine, tyrosine, and phenylalanine. Aminex A-5 cation-exchange resin (0.9 x 15 cm) is sequentially eluted with three sodium citrate buffers: pH 3.25, 0.2 N; pH 4.85, 0.54 N, and pH 6.5, 0.39 N at 60 and 80 degrees C. Reaction with ninhydrin is used for detection. This chromatographic system was used to determine angiotensin-converting enzyme activity and the angiotensinase activity of rabbit brain endopeptidase B. In each assay, the unhydrolyzed substrate and both products were measured simultaneously in one step without pretreatment of the hydrolysate. Products were recovered in 1:1 molar ratios and the overall recovery of an hydrolyzed substrate of products was quantitative.