Effect of a Homemade Salivary Substitute Prepared Using Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) Flower and Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) Seed to Relieve Primary Burning Mouth Syndrome: A Preliminary Report.

Objectives: To evaluate (1) the effect of a salivary substitute prepared using chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) flower and flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) seed to relieve Primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS) symptoms, (2) their effect on the inhibition of matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP2) and MMP9 metalloproteinases, and (3) their potential cellular cytotoxic effect. Subjects: 40 women aging >40 years with diagnosis of primary BMS. Settings/Location: Center of Diagnosis of Diseases of the Mouth, Federal University of Pelotas, Brazil. Design: This was an open clinical trial where primary BMS patients used the homemade salivary. At the first appointment, after 30 and 60 days, the authors evaluated the pattern and intensity of BMS and xerostomia symptoms, and then determined and compared the unstimulated salivary flow rate (SFR), viscosity, and salivary pH. MMP2 and MMP9 activities in saliva and cytotoxicity were assessed using different concentrations of chamomile flower and flax seed separately. Interventions: Subjects used the homemade salivary substitute for 3 months and were instructed to rinse their mouth three to four times daily for 1 min. Outcome measures: A numeric rating scale to evaluate the intensity of burning sensation and xerostomia symptoms, salivary flow rate (SFR) to determine salivary volume, dynamic rheology technique for viscosity and a digital meter for salivary pH. MMP2 and MMP9 activities in saliva and cytotoxicity were assessed by zymography and cell viability assay respectively. Results: After treatment, severity of BMS symptoms decreased, the SFR increased, salivary viscosity decreased, and severity of xerostomia sensation (in patients who reported having this symptom) improved (p < 0.05). Chamomile flower and flax seed had no effect on inhibiting MMP2 and MMP9 activities, and neither showed cellular cytotoxic effects. Conclusion: This homemade salivary substitute is an economical, viable, easily manipulated, noncytotoxic, and a practical alternative to relieve BMS symptoms.

Could the application of bioactive molecules improve vital pulp therapy success? A systematic review.

This study aimed to systematically review the literature of animal studies to evaluate whether bioactive dentin proteins could improve vital pulp therapy success. The review is reported in accordance with the PRISMA Statement. Two reviewers independently conducted a literature search of seven databases: PubMed (Medline), Lilacs, IBECS, BBO, Web of Science, Scopus, and SciELO. Animal experiments in which bioactive dentin proteins were applied directly or indirectly to the pulp tissue were included. Data regarding the characteristics of the proteins evaluated, the delivery systems used and the main findings from each study were tabulated to assess the outcomes of interest (tertiary dentin formation, inflammatory response, intratubular mineralization). After screening, 32 papers were subjected to qualitative analysis. In 75% of the studies, direct pulp capping was performed. Additionally, the most studied proteins were BMP-7, TGF-ß1, and extracted soluble dentin matrix proteins. In conclusion, there is evidence in the literature suggesting that bioactive dentin molecules could enhance tertiary dentin formation with fewer initial inflammatory responses in direct and indirect pulp therapy in animal models. There are potential areas to be explored for novel therapeutic approaches for dental tissue repair and regeneration with bioactive materials. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 941-956, 2017.

Monitoramento tecnológico dos agentes dessensibilizantes dentinários / Technological monitoring of dentin desensitizing agents

O uso estratégico das informações científicas e tecno-lógicas referentes aos dessensibilizantes dentinários pode possibilitar oportunidades de projetos científico--tecnológicos em consonância com políticas públicas de estímulo à inovação. Objetivo: Realizar um moni-toramento tecnológico na área de dessensibilizantes a fim de obter um panorama que possibilite analisar o contexto atual e obter oportunidades para prospec-ção tecnológica. Materiais e método: Foi realizada uma busca sistemática nas bases de dados de patentes americana (USPTO), japonesa (JPO), brasileira (INPI) e europeia (EPO). Adicionalmente, o sistema Questel Orbit foi utilizado como fonte de consulta. A informa-ção científica foi obtida das bases de dados PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science e Scielo. Foram selecionados artigos e documentos patentários referente a dessensi-bilizantes do período entre janeiro de 1965 e outubro de 2013. Para montagem e revisão do banco de dados, os softwares Questel Orbit e Microsoft Office Excel 2010 foram utilizados. Resultados: 261 patentes e 728 artigos satisfizeram os critérios de inclusão. Os Estados Unidos detêm 51% da prioridade de patentes, seguido pelo Japão com 20%. Além disso, os principais autores dos artigos não estão prospectando nessa tecnologia, uma vez que não houve relação entre eles e os prin-cipais inventores das patentes. Conclusões: Foi possí-vel obter um panorama do setor de dessensibilizantes, o qual demonstra uma baixa apropriação tecnológica brasileira nessa indústria odontológica. A consolidação de políticas públicas de estímulos a projetos entre insti-tuições científicas e tecnológicas, em áreas de fronteira de conhecimento ainda pouco exploradas, são alterna-tivas estratégicas para uma presença efetiva da indústria brasileira nesse setor de mercado.