Sakuranetin exerts anticonvulsant effect in bicuculline-induced seizures.

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by an abnormal, spontaneous, and synchronized neuronal hyperactivity. Therapeutic approaches for controlling epileptic seizures are associated with pharmacoresistance and side effects burden. Previous studies reported that different natural products may have neuroprotector effects. Sakuranetin (SAK) is a flavanone with antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic, antiallergic, and antioxidant activity. In the present work, the effect of SAK on seizures in a model of status epilepticus induced by bicuculline (BIC) in mice was evaluated. Male Swiss mice received an intracerebroventricular injection (i.c.v.) of SAK (1, 10, or 20 mg/kg-SAK1, SAK10, or SAK20). Firstly, animals were evaluated in the open field (OF; 20 min), afterwards in the elevated plus maze (EPM) test (5 min). Next, 30 min prior the administration of BIC (1 mg/kg), mice received an injection of SAK (1 or 10 mg/kg, i.c.v.) and were observed in the OF (20 min) for seizures assessment. After behavioral procedures, immunohistochemical analysis of c-Fos was performed. Our main results showed that the lowest doses of SAK (1 and 10 mg/kg) increased the total distance traveled in the OF, moreover protected against seizures and death on the BIC-induced seizures model. Furthermore, SAK treatment reduced neuronal activity on the dentate gyrus of the BIC-treated animals. Taken together, our results suggest an anticonvulsant effect of SAK, which could be used for the development of anticonvulsants based on natural products from herbal source.

Anticonvulsant Effects of Fractions Isolated from Dinoponera quadriceps (Kempt) Ant Venom (Formicidae: Ponerinae).

Natural products, sources of new pharmacological substances, have large chemical diversity and architectural complexity. In this context, some toxins obtained from invertebrate venoms have anticonvulsant effects. Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that affects about 65 million people worldwide, and approximately 30% of cases are resistant to pharmacological treatment. Previous studies from our group show that the denatured venom of the ant Dinoponera quadriceps (Kempt) protects mice against bicuculline (BIC)-induced seizures and death. The aim of this study was to investigate the anticonvulsant activity of compounds isolated from D. quadriceps venom against seizures induced by BIC in mice. Crude venom was fractionated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) resulting in six fractions referred to as DqTx1-DqTx6. A liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS) analysis revealed a major 431 Da compound in fractions DqTx1 and DqTx2. Fractions DqTx3 and DqTx4 showed a compound of 2451 Da and DqTx5 revealed a 2436 Da compound. Furthermore, the DqTx6 fraction exhibited a major component with a molecular weight of 13,196 Da. Each fraction (1 mg/mL) was microinjected into the lateral ventricle of mice, and the animals were observed in an open field. We did not observe behavioral alterations when the fractions were given alone. Conversely, when the fractions were microinjected 20 min prior to the administration of BIC (21.6 nM), DqTx1, DqTx4, and DqTx6 fractions increased the latency for onset of tonic-clonic seizures. Moreover, all fractions, except DqTx5, increased latency to death. The more relevant result was obtained with the DqTx6 fraction, which protected 62.5% of the animals against tonic-clonic seizures. Furthermore, this fraction protected 100% of the animals from seizure episodes followed by death. Taken together, these findings indicate that compounds from ant venom might be a potential source of new anticonvulsants molecules.

An alternative technique for fabrication of frameworks in an immediate loading implant fixed mandibular prosthesis.

The oral rehabilitation of edentulous patients with immediate loading has become a safe procedure with high predictability. The success is related to immediate fabrication of a passive fit framework to attach the implants. Based on these considerations, this case report shows an alternative technique for mandibular rehabilitation using implants immediately loaded, where the framework was fabricated using cylinders with internal reinforcement and precast pieces, electrowelding, and conventional welding providing esthetics and function to the patient in a short period of time.

External location of the buccinator muscle to facilitate electromyographic analysis.

Electromyography is frequently used to measure the activity of masticatory muscles. It requires the precise setting of the electrodes, which demands the accurate location of the muscle to be evaluated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the accuracy of an external method to locate the buccinator muscle. Fifteen human cadavers were evaluated and planes were determined on the face using anatomic landmarks. An angle (alpha) was obtained at the intersection of these planes on the central point of buccinator muscle and measured with a protractor. The value of the angle allows locating the central point of buccinator muscle based on anatomic landmarks on the face. Statistical analysis of the collected data indicated an angle of 90 masculine with 95% reliability, thus proving the efficacy of the proposed method.