Brazilin cream from Caesalpinia sappan inhibit periodontal disease: in vivo study.

Background: Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums that is the initial cause of the development of periodontal disease by the activity of Nuclear Factor-kappa B (NF-κB), Interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), p38, and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α). Unaddressed chronic inflammation can lead to persistent disturbances in other parts of the body. Brazilin is a naturally occurring plant chemical that may have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. Treatment based on the natural plant compound, brazilin, is developed in the form of a topical cream for easy application. Objective: The aim is to develop the natural compound brazilin in the form of a topical cream as an anti-inflammatory agent to reduce NF-κB expression through Imunohistochemistry (IHC) methods, and the expression of pro-inflammatory genes IL-1ß, IL-6, p38, and TNF-α. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were induced with gingivitis using P. gingivalis bacteria. The observed groups included rats treated with a single application of brazilin cream and rats treated with two applications of brazilin cream. The treatment was administered for 15 days. On days 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15, anatomical wound observations and wound histology using hematoxylin-eosin and Masson's Trichrome staining were performed. NF-κB protein expression was analyzed using the IHC method. Gingival inflammation gene expression of NF-κB, IL-1ß, IL-6, p38, and TNF-α was measured using q-RTPCR. Results: Single and double applications of brazilin cream increased angiogenesis and decreased NF-κB protein expression, in addition to the IL-1ß, IL-6, p38, and TNF-α gene expressions. Conclusion: In a rat gingivitis model, Brazilin cream may function as an anti-inflammatory agent in the gingival tissue.

Polymeric Scaffolds Used in Dental Pulp Regeneration by Tissue Engineering Approach.

Currently, the challenge in dentistry is to revitalize dental pulp by utilizing tissue engineering technology; thus, a biomaterial is needed to facilitate the process. One of the three essential elements in tissue engineering technology is a scaffold. A scaffold acts as a three-dimensional (3D) framework that provides structural and biological support and creates a good environment for cell activation, communication between cells, and inducing cell organization. Therefore, the selection of a scaffold represents a challenge in regenerative endodontics. A scaffold must be safe, biodegradable, and biocompatible, with low immunogenicity, and must be able to support cell growth. Moreover, it must be supported by adequate scaffold characteristics, which include the level of porosity, pore size, and interconnectivity; these factors ultimately play an essential role in cell behavior and tissue formation. The use of natural or synthetic polymer scaffolds with excellent mechanical properties, such as small pore size and a high surface-to-volume ratio, as a matrix in dental tissue engineering has recently received a lot of attention because it shows great potential with good biological characteristics for cell regeneration. This review describes the latest developments regarding the usage of natural or synthetic scaffold polymers that have the ideal biomaterial properties to facilitate tissue regeneration when combined with stem cells and growth factors in revitalizing dental pulp tissue. The utilization of polymer scaffolds in tissue engineering can help the pulp tissue regeneration process.

Antifungal Activity of Beluntas "Indian Camphorweed" (Pluchea indica) Ethanol Extract on Candida albicans In Vitro Using Different Solvent Concentrations.

OBJECTIVE: Oral candidiasis is an infection caused by pathogenic fungi Candida albicans, with a considerably high prevalence of 20 to 72%. Indian camphorweed (Pluchea indica) also known as "beluntas" as the local name has been known as a traditional medicine in Indonesia. The objective of this study is to research the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of beluntas ethanolic extract against the growth of C. albicans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The MIC and MFC were measured by microdilution assay and total plate count respectively with a variation of solvents (DMSO 1%, 10%, and 4%) and beluntas extract with concentrations between 0.3125 and 200 mg/mL. Amphotericin and nystatin were used as a comparison. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: One-way analysis of variance and posthoc Tukey test were used to determine the significant difference between treatments. RESULTS: It was found that the MIC ranged from 50 to 200 mg/mL in the test with DMSO 10% solvent and MFC was found to be at a concentration of 200 mg/mL. However, there is a significant inhibitory effect and killing effect from DMSO 10% against C. albicans (p = 0.000). MIC was also found within concentrations of 100 mg/mL of beluntas extract in DMSO 4%. In this study, the DMSO 4% concentration neither showed significant inhibitory effects nor killing effects; therefore, the result was acceptable (p = 0.357). CONCLUSION: Ethanol extract of beluntas (P. Indica) has the potential of being an antifungal agent with inhibitory activity in concentrations ≥100 mg/mL, which is similar to nystatin (p = 0.278). The MFC for the extract was above 100 mg/mL, which cannot be measured with this method as a higher concentration of DMSO is needed, which had a toxic effect on the tested fungi.

Tissue Engineering with Stem Cell from Human Exfoliated Deciduous Teeth (SHED) and Collagen Matrix, Regulated by Growth Factor in Regenerating the Dental Pulp.

Maintaining dental pulp vitality and preventing tooth loss are two challenges in endodontic treatment. A tooth lacking a viable pulp loses its defense mechanism and regenerative ability, making it more vulnerable to severe damage and eventually necessitating extraction. The tissue engineering approach has drawn attention as an alternative therapy as it can regenerate dentin-pulp complex structures and functions. Stem cells or progenitor cells, extracellular matrix, and signaling molecules are triad components of this approach. Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) are a promising, noninvasive source of stem cells for tissue regeneration. Not only can SHEDs regenerate dentin-pulp tissues (comprised of fibroblasts, odontoblasts, endothelial cells, and nerve cells), but SHEDs also possess immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive properties. The collagen matrix is a material of choice to provide structural and microenvironmental support for SHED-to-dentin pulp tissue differentiation. Growth factors regulate cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation into specific phenotypes via signal-transduction pathways. This review provides current concepts and applications of the tissue engineering approach, especially SHEDs, in endodontic treatment.

Dental Calculus as a Potential Biosource for Human Papillomavirus Detection in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: The infection of human papillomaviruses (HPVs) plays a role in the development of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). A poor oral hygiene and dental calculus may cause the infection to persist. Therefore, this study aimed to assess whether this dental calculus could serve as a potential biosource in early detection of HPVs in patients with OSCC. METHODS: DNA was isolated from the dental calculus of people diagnosed with OSCC, and MY09/11 primer set was used to detect the presence of HPV. The positive samples were further sequenced and aligned using megablast NCBI BLAST tool to identify the HPV genotype. RESULTS: Electrophoresis examination showed that 4 of 14 samples collected (29%) had a clear single band, of which three had 97% to 99% similarity to a high-risk genotype HPV-58. Meanwhile, the other sample had 99% similarity to an unclassified papillomaviridae. CONCLUSION: Dental calculus is a promising source of HPV in oral cavity and could be used as a biomarker for early detection.