Diurnal trajectories of salivary cortisol, salivary α-amylase and psychological profiles in oral lichen planus patients.

Although many reports have been published on the link between oral lichen planus (OLP) and the stress-related neuro-psycho-endocrine clinical features of the disease over the last 20 years, the data still remain controversial. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the personality traits of OLP subjects and assess the subjects' capability of coping with stress challenges. Cortisol and alpha-amylase were measured as reliable markers of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and autonomic nervous system (ANS) activities in salivary samples collected by the participants at their home during the sampling day (07:30, 12:00, and 19:30). Compared with the healthy controls, the OLP patients demonstrated a less effective coping ability, had higher scores in stress perception and loneliness, and had no significant variation in their anxiety and depressive symptoms. The OLP patients also showed dysregulation of the HPA axis activity with a significant reduction of diurnal salivary cortisol production, which was particularly significant in the morning hours. No significant variation was found in the OLP salivary alpha-amylase diurnal fluctuation and production, which was measured at the same time point as that for cortisol. In conclusion, we report that OLP subjects had a reduced capability of coping with stress events and presented a dysregulation of HPA axis activity with hypocortisolism detected in the morning hours.

In vivo biocompatibility evaluation of some Bidens tripartita extracts in rats.

UNLABELLED: Adaptogens represent a class of herbs frequently used as a unique and natural alternative medicine and herbal remedy for treating the many forms of stress and different other pathological conditions. Bidens tripartite, a flowering plant from the genus Bidens, family Compositae, subfamily Asteroideae was widely used in traditional medicine for its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, astringent, diuretic, febrifuge, narcotic and sedative effects. Phytochemical analysis of this plant has revealed the presence of flavonoids, xanthophylls, volatile oil, acetylene and polyacetylene, sterols, aurones, chalcones, caffeine and tannins. AIM: The in vivo biocompatibility evaluation of two extracts from Bidens tripartita plant in rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The vegetable product used for the study was obtained after maceration and extraction in alcohol. Flower powder was dissolved in absolute chloroform, re-extracted and filtered. After a complete dryness the product was extracted by the addition of ethanol then evaporated. The chemical composition of the extracts was determined. The administered dose of Bidens tripartita retained was 1/20 of lethal dose 50 (LD50). The experiment was carried out on white male Wistar rats (200-250g) divided into 3 groups of 7 animals each treated intraperitoneally as follows: Group I (Control): distilled water 0.1ml/10g weight; Group II (coded BT-alcoholic): 200mg/kbw alcoholic Bidens tripartita extract; Group III (coded BT-aqueous): 250mg/kbw aqueous Bidens tripartita extract. The biocompatibility properties of alcoholic and aqueous extracts from Bidens tritartita were studied by assessing their effects on blood count and serum biochemical tests. The following immune parameters: phagocytic capacity of peripheral neutrophils (NBT test) and serum complement activity were also evaluated. The data were presented as +/- SD and significance was tested by SPSS for Windows version 13.0 and ANOVA method. Experimental protocol was implemented according to the recommendations of the University Committee for Research and Ethical Issues and guidelines of IASP Committee for Research and Ethical Issue. RESULTS: Laboratory analysis did not show significant differences on leucocyte formula (GOT, GPT and LDH) or immune parameters (phagocytic capacity of peripheral neutrophils and serum complement activity) between alcoholic and aqueous B. tripartita extracts and distilled water, elements suggesting a good in vivo biocompatibility. CONCLUSIONS: In our experimental conditions, the alcoholic extract and aqueous extract from B. tripartita determined similar immune responses as distilled water following intraperitoneal administration in rats, indicative of good in vivo biocompatibility.

Experimental researches on acute toxicity of a Bidens tripartita extract in mice - preliminary investigations.

UNLABELLED: Plants take up an important place in traditional medicine and scientific research confirmed properties about their use as alternative therapy. Bidens tripartita, commonly known as Three-lobe Beggarticks, Three-part Beggarticks, Trifid Bur-marigold, is a flowering plant in the genus Bidens, family Compositae, subfamily Asteroideae. Evaluation of the chemical composition of this plant has revealed the presence of flavonoids, xanthophylls, volatile oil, acetylene and polyacetylene, sterols, aurones, chalcones, caffeine and tannins. AIM: Theoretical data investigation regarding Bidens tripartita plant and experimental researches on acute toxicity of an original extract in mice. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The vegetal product of Bidens tripartita used for study was obtained by maceration and extraction in alcohol, and its chemical composition was determined. Acute toxicity of the alcoholic extract of Bidens tripartita was assessed by median lethal dose (LD50) calculation, using a limit dose test of up- and- down procedure at a limit dose of 2000mg/kbw after intraperitoneal administration in mice. RESULTS: In the alcoholic extract of Bidens tripartita different active principles were identified: tannins, anthracene derivatives, triterpenes, coumarins, antocyanosides. The toxicity of plant product was evaluated by different characteristic signs for the mouse which can be retained as toxicity elements of the extract. Using the intraperitoneal route, the animals showed dose-dependent signs of toxicity, ranging from lack of appetite, depression, immobility and respiratory distress to death. Single-dose intraperitoneal LD50 value of the alcoholic Bidens tripartita extract in mice was 4038 mg/kg. No macroscopic changes were seen in the organs of mice that died following extract administration. Histopathological lesions were not found in all examined organs. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained LD50 value classifies the study plant extract as slightly toxic according to Hodge and Sterner toxicity scale. We determined the low toxic dose at a rate of 4038 mg of body weight for the alcoholic extract of this medicinal plant. These results suggest that the alcoholic extract of Bidens tripartita is relatively safe toxicologically when administered intraperitoneally, and this product could be used with some degree of safety to continue the investigation for in vivo biocompatibility evaluation.