Evaluation of the chemopreventive effects of Ankaferd Bloodstopper in 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced oral epithelial dysplasia.

OBJECTIVES: Ankaferd BloodStopper® (ABS) is an herbal extract which has been used historically as a hemostatic agent in traditional Turkish medicine. ABS comprises of standardized mixture of herbs Thymus vulgaris, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Vitis vinifera, Alpinia officinarum, and Urtica dioica. In addition to its hemostatic effects, the herb ABS contains some other biological effects including antioxidant and antitumoral properties. The aim of this study is to investigate the chemopreventive effects of ABS in 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced oral epithelial dysplasia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 40 Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups. Group 1 animals received DMBA alone, and group 2 animals received both DMBA and Ankaferd. Group 3 animals received ABS alone while group 4 animals served as control group and received only liquid paraffine. All animals were sacrificed, and tissue samples were analyzed histologically at the end of the experimental period (14 weeks). RESULTS: Histological studies have shown that the buccal pouches of animals treated with DMBA alone revealed severe dysplasia while only mild or no dysplasia were noticed in DMBA + ABS group. Ankaferd were administered to animals and control group showed no dysplasia or other oral lesions. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that Ankaferd Bloodstopper® has chemopreventive effect against DMBA-induced oral epithelial dysplasia. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Ankaferd Bloodstopper® could be used as a supportive treatment option of cancer in oral and maxillofacial surgery since it possesses chemopreventive effect.

Topical application of olive oil macerate of Momordica charantia L. promotes healing of excisional and incisional wounds in rat buccal mucosa.

OBJECTIVE: In Turkish folk medicine Momordica charantia L. is used for wound healing. The aim of the present study is to investigate this folkloric knowledge and confirm the plant's potential effect on buccal mucosa wound in the rat. DESIGN: Wound healing activity of olive oil macerate of Momordica charantia L. was investigated in linear incision and circular excision wound models created in the buccal mucosa of the rat. The tissues were histopathologically evaluated, moreover, hydroxyproline contents of the tissues were determined. The anti-inflammatory activity was also assessed by using Whittle method with some modifications. RESULTS: Olive oil macerate of M. charantia showed significant wound healing activity both in incision (45.1%) and excision (89.8%) wound models and demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity with the inhibition value of 31.3% at the dose of 100mg/kg. CONCLUSION: The experimental data revealed that M. charantia showed significant wound healing and anti-inflammatory effect.

Biochemical and biomechanical assessment of effects of L-carnitine on oral mucosal wounds.

OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to investigate the oral mucosal wound healing potential of L-carnitine in a rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four Wistar-albino rats were divided into 4 groups: control group (group I), L-carnitine groups (100 and 200 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneally) (groups II and III), and vitamin E group (100 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneally) (group IV). A 1.5-cm linear incision was created on the buccal mucosa of each rat and was left to heal by secondary intention. On the tenth day, rats were anesthetized and sacrificed. The tensile strength of wound was measured with a tensiometer. Hydroxyproline (HYP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in wound were assayed by spectrophotometry. Results were statistically analyzed using a one-way ANOVA analysis (p ≤ 0.001). RESULTS: In the analysis of tissue samples, there was a statistically significant decrease in MDA levels in group II (p < 0.01) and group IV (p < 0.001). Wound tension strength that was seen in groups II (57.88 %) and IV (48.71 %) was better than group III (33.39 %). Hydroxyproline levels in group II (46.98 ± 1.37) was higher than groups III (29.40 ± 1.64) and IV (38.83 ± 1.41). CONCLUSION: Although there was a tendency toward faster healing in the groups receiving L-carnitine, it may have a dose-related positive effect for wound healing. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: With the advantages of having positive effects on wound healing, being a natural substance in the body, being easy to procure, and having a practical usage, L-carnitine may be clinically feasible for human oral mucosal wounds.

A multifaceted molecule, nitric oxide in oral and periodontal diseases.

Nitric oxide (NO) is a molecule with multiple effects on different tissues. NO takes important roles in vasodilatation, bacterial challenge and cytokine stimulation, regulation of mineralized tissue function, neurotransmission, and platelet aggregation, etc. However, under pathological conditions, NO has damaging effects. NO is synthesized by NO synthases (NOS) and inducible isoform of NOS (iNOS) is closely related to the pathophysiological characteristics of inflammatory diseases such as periodontal diseases. The expression of iNOS has been investigated in salivary gland-related diseases, temporomandibular joint disorders and oral cancer as well. The beneficial and damaging effects of NO in diseases related with periodontal, dental and maxillofacial area are discussed in this review. The biological pathways involved with NO and NO inhibitors may be good drug targets to have a role in the future management of patients with diseases in orofacial region.

Prevalence of tongue lesions among Turkish schoolchildren.

OBJECTIVES: To collect data on the prevalence of tongue lesions of Turkish schoolchildren in 3 different population samples in Ankara, and to analyze the relationship between tongue lesions and gender, oral hygiene, and income levels. METHODS: Nine hundred and six schoolchildren aged 6-12 participated in this study between March 2004 and July 2004 in Ankara, Turkey. Of the 906 schoolchildren, 442 were girls and 464 were boys from 3 primary schools. We examined all the children for the presence of the following tongue lesions: 1) ankyloglossia, 2) bifid tongue, 3) fissured tongue, 4) geographic tongue, 5) median rhomboid glossitis, 6) lingual thyroid nodule, 7) atrophic tongue, 8) hairy tongue, 9) crenation tongue, 10) furred tongue, 11) macroglossia, 12) microglossia, and 13) lingual or sublingual varicosities. RESULTS: Of the 906 subjects, we detected 45 subjects with tongue lesions with a prevalence of 4.95%. We found lesions more frequently in boys (6%) than in girls (4.5%). However, these results were statistically insignificant. Oral lesions commonly found were geographic tongue (1.8%), ankyloglossia (1.3%), fissured tongue (0.9%), bifid tongue (0.4%), hairy tongue (0.2%) and macroglossia (0.2%), lingual thyroid nodule (0.1%). We did not find any of the following lesions: median rhomboid glossitis, atrophic tongue, crenation tongue, furred tongue, microglossia, lingual, or sublingual varicosities. CONCLUSION: The tongue has a special importance due to its localization. It can readily affect a patient's social life because of lesions and various symptoms. The localization of tongue may also play important role in diagnosis for systematic, hormonal, and allergic disorders.