Introduction: Stichopus hermanii (SH), which contains various antioxidant agents, tends to protect oxidative stress caused by chronic cigarette smoking (CCS). This study, therefore, aims to investigate the protective effect of SH supplementation against CCS-induced oxidative stress in rat salivary glands. Methods: A total of 30 male Wistar rats, which were equally divided into the control (C), cigarette smoke (CS), and treatment (T) groups, were used to carry out this research. In T group, 17 mg/kg BW of SH was administered for 90 days. Their salivary glands were removed for oxidative stress marker analyses ie malondialdehyde (MDA) level, total antioxidant status (TAS), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity, with the data analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s multiple comparison test to obtain a p-value of less than 0.05, which were considered statistically significant. Results: The results showed that in the CS group oxidative stress occurred which was characterized by significantly increased MDA levels, reduced TAS, SOD and CAT activity. While the T group significantly decreased MDA levels, enhanced TAS, SOD and CAT activity. Conclusion: In conclusion, SH supplementation tends to prevent oxidative stress produced by CCS in rat salivary glands.

ABSTRACT Methanolic extract from the leaves of Acanthus ilicifolius L. (A. ilicifolius L.) is a potent inhibitor of Candida albicans (C. albicans) growth and anti-inflammatory. C. albicans causes oral candidiasis in immunosuppressive condition. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling via p38 appears to discriminate between yeast and hyphal cells of C. albicans. Activation of p38 MAPK by hyphae results in the upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines. The p38 MAPK activation is known to impair corticosteroid action. The research was conducted to investigate the effect of methanolic extract A. ilicifolius L. treatment of oral candidiasis with the immunosuppressive condition through enhancement of p38 MAPK expression in the epithelial cells. Immunosuppressed conditions were obtained when 16 healthy male Rattus norvergicus (Wistar) was given oral administration of dexamethasone and tetracycline for 14 days and induced with C. albicans (ATCC-10231) 1 McFarland. The subjects were divided into four groups (n = 4/group): immunosuppression (IS), immunosuppression with oral candidiasis without treatment (ISC), immunosuppression with oral candidiasis and nystatin treatment (ISC+N), and immunosuppression with oral candidiasis and A. ilicifolius L. treatment (ISC+AI), and were treated for 14 days. Later, the rats were euthanised, and their tongue were biopsied. The p38 MAPK expression was subjected to immunohistochemical examination, observed under a microscope (400× magnification) and statistically analysed (one-way ANOVA, LSD-test, p < 0.05). The p38 MAPK expression of ISC+AI (36.05 ± 1.54) was higher than IS (26 ± 2.32), ISC (26.4 ± 3.71), IS+N (34.2 ± 0.99). Significant differences existed between ISC+AI and ISC+N to IS and ISC (p < 0.05). No significant differences were present between IS and ISC; ISC+AI and ISC+N (p > 0.05). Therefore, this treatment could enhance p38 MAPK expression in oral candidiasis with the immunosuppressed condition.
Acanthaceae ; Candidiasis, Oral ; Immunosuppression Therapy ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases

ABSTRACT Salmon skin extract contains high proline and hydroxyproline, and has been suggested as a potential topical agent for traumatic oral ulcer healing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of salmon skin extract as traumatic oral ulcer healing. A total of 32 Wistar rats (200 g to 250 g) were distributed into four groups. Group 1 served as the control group (no treatment), Group 2 was topically treated with salmon skin extract agent 4%, Group 3 was topically treated with salmon skin extract agent 5%, and Group 4 was topically treated with salmon skin extract agent 6%. Traumatic ulcers at lip mucosa were performed in all rats and 0.1 ml salmon skin extract was applied on the ulcer twice daily for seven days. The animals were euthanised on the last day of treatment. Biopsy specimens were taken from the lip mucosa in all rats for epithelial thickness evaluation and the study for number of fibroblasts by histological analysis. Significant increase in epithelial thickness and the number of fibroblasts (p > 0.05) was observed in salmon skin extract treatment groups as compared to the control group. Salmon skin extract 6% treatment group had the highest epithelial thickness and the number of fibroblasts amongst the study groups. Salmon skin extract promises an innovative topical application treatment for traumatic oral ulcer healing. Salmon skin extract 6% was the most effective concentration for traumatic oral ulcer healing.
Epithelial Cells ; Fibroblasts ; Oral Ulcer--therapy

Introduction: The junction between midpalatal suture is one of the easiest patterns for investigating the relationship between bone formation and resorption. Suture widening for the therapy of transverse maxillary deficiency, by elucidating molecular pathways from previous studies, which provide basic knowledge on bone homeostasis. The research purpose to analysed the regulation of osteogenesis and osteoclastogenesis through the ALP, TRAF-6, and midpalatal area after maxillary suture expansion, induced by the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) 2,4 ATA administration from day 8-14. Methods: The sample used 18 male Cavia cobaya aged 2-3 months, which were divided into three groups: Normal control K(O), negative control with expansion appliance K(-), and HBOT (P). After 14 days, Cavia cobaya were decapitated, followed by the horizontal cutting of the maxilla, and preparation into slides. Osteoclast and osteoblast number, as well as the ALP and TRAF-6 expressions, and the midpalatal areas were counted. Results: Statistical analysis using Kruskall Wallis showed significance in all groups (p≤0.05), while Pearson correlation test show the highest correlation between osteoblast and ALP (r=0.951), osteoblast and osteoclast (r=0.848), ALP and osteoclast (pr=0.745), as well as ALP and midpalatal (r=0.704). Conclusion: The treatment group demonstrated elevated levels of osteoclast and ALP expression, which collectively regulate the bone remodeling process, as well as osteoblasts, and the midpalatal area, with a decline in TRAF-6. Osteoblast has a role during the interaction of endothelial cells and osteoclasts in osteogenesis, while ALP is involved in the mineralization process of the bone matrix within the midpalatal area.