Objectives: Dental caries and periodontal disease are infectious and chronic diseases. The aim of the study was to investigate the antimicrobial effect of mentha extracts against Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans ) and Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis ). Methods: This activity of mentha extracts were confirmed by the disk diffusion test and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and colony forming unit (CFU) assays. Results: S. mutans and P. gingivalis showed the highest antimicrobial activity within the inhibition zones. The antimicrobial activity was interrupted as the MIC and MBC of the herbal extracts against the two bacteria were 1 mg/ml and 10 mg/ml, respectively. The antimicrobial effect was determined by the CFU assay. Conclusions Mentha herb extract demonstrated potential antimicrobial activity against S. mutans and P. gingivalis that cause dental caries and periodontal disease.

The cell surface glycoprotein CD44 is a kind of adhesion molecule, which binds hyaluronic acid, type I collagen and fibronectin. Although there have been numerous reports on the expression and the function of CD44 in lymphocytes and macrophages, very little is known about its distribution and definite role in epithelial tissue, especially in oral epithelial one. The present study was performed to investigate the distribution and expression of the CD44 in human gingiva and squamous cell carcinoma(SCC) arising in human gingiva. And the authors compared CD44 expression with histopathologic grade of SCC. The results were as follows: 1. The CD44 was strongly expressed in granular, spinous and basal layers of normal marginal and attached gingiva, in spinous and basal layers of normal sulcular gingiva, and in all epithelial layers of normal junctional gingiva. 2. In SCC of gingiva, the CD44 was expressed in all but one case. In most of the cases the CD44 was expressed at cell membrane and the degree of expression was relatively strong. 3. In low-grade SCC of gingiva, the CD44 was strongly expressed, especially at the basal and spinous layers of abundantly keratinized cancer nests. In high-grade SCC of gingiva, the CD44 expression tended to be weak but was strong at cells showing individual keratinization. This study suggest that the CD44 expression of normal and cancerous gingival epithelium is associated with the degree of proliferation and differentiation of epithelial cells.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Cell Membrane ; Collagen Type I ; Epithelial Cells ; Epithelium ; Fibronectins ; Gingiva ; Humans ; Hyaluronic Acid ; Lymphocytes ; Macrophages ; Membrane Glycoproteins

This study was undertaken to achieve a high bleaching efficacy with plasma, through longer application and reparative bleaching processes, by different shade evaluation methods. Extracted human teeth were divided into 6 groups (n=10). All teeth were treated in pairs. Low concentration of 15% carbamide peroxide (CP) was applied, with and without plasma, for 10, 20, and 30-min tooth bleaching, respectively. The bleaching procedure was repeated once daily for four days. The teeth were maintained in a moist environment provided by artificial saliva. The Vitapan Classical shade guide and Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage (CIELAB) color system were collectively used to measure the bleaching efficacy. Color evaluation was statistically analyzed using Student t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) complemented by Tukey's test. Combining the plasma with 15% CP showed significantly greater color changes compared to bleaching without plasma (p<0.05). A high bleaching efficacy with plasma is proportional to the repetitive application and the treatment time. A 30-min application with plasma provided the best bleaching. Repetitive bleaching showed lower probability of color relapse of the bleached tooth. The color change by shade guide correlated with the changes in CIELAB color system. A value of 1 color change units (CCU) conversion factor for overall color change (ΔE) values comparisons was 3.724 values. The two measuring methods provide a more accurate correspondence of color change. The repetitive and longer application for tooth bleaching, combined with plasma, has a strong bleaching effect and produces whiter teeth.
Atmospheric Pressure* ; Complement System Proteins ; Humans ; Plasma* ; Recurrence ; Saliva, Artificial ; Tooth Bleaching* ; Tooth* ; Urea

In postmenopausal osteoporosis, estrogen deficiency leads to unbalance of bone metabolism, decreased bone formation and increased bone resorption, and the result is reduced bone mineral density (BMD) and bone stiffness. The processes of bone formation and resorption involves the expression of integrins in anchoragedependent cells, such as osteoblast and osteoclast. The osteoporosis-induced rats frequently demonstrated the loss of trabecular bone volume in the tibia, vertebra and mandible due to estrogen depletion. However, in maxilla, study has been rare because of its anatomical limits. So the objective of this study was to investigate bony change and property of integrin expression in maxilla of osteoporosis-induced rats. 12-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were bilaterally ovariectomized (OVX). At 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 and 12 weeks, control and OVX group rats were sacrificed respectively. BMD of maxilla of the rats was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). And then the histopathologic observation, histomorphometric analysis and immunohistochemistry with CD44, alpha2 integrin, alpha5 integrin, alpha6 integrin, alphav integrin and beta3 integrin were done. BMD of alveolar bone in maxilla was decreased with significance statistically after OVX 4 weeks and was decreased 18.15% at OVX 12 weeks group compared to control group. From OVX 4 to 12 weeks, the thickness of periodontal ligament space was decreased, the number of osteoclast and the size of marrow stroma were increased than control group. By histomorphometric analysis, the size of marrow stroma of alveolar bone in maxilla was increased 86.42% at OVX 12 weeks group compared to control group. CD44 was widely expressed throughout the odontoblast, cementoblast, dental pulp, preiodontal ligament, osteocyte, osteoclast and perivascular tissue at control group, and CD44 immunoreactivity was increased the odontoblast, osteoblast and osteoclast at OVX groups. alpha2 integrin was expressed the odontoblast and osteoblast at control group, but alpha2 integrin immunoreactivity was decreased the osteoblast at OVX 12 weeks group. alpha5 integrin was expressed the cementoblast, osteoblast and osteoclast at control group, and alpha5 integrin immunoreactivity was decreased the osteoblast and was increased the osteoclast from OVX 4 weeks group. alpha6 integrin was weakly expressed the odontoblast, cementoblast, osteoblast and osteoclast at control group, and alpha6 integrin immunoreactivity was weakly increased the osteoclast from OVX 4 weeks. alphav integrin was expressed the odontoblast and osteoclast at control group, and alphav integrin immunoreactivity was strongly increased the osteoclast from OVX 4 weeks. beta3 integrin was expressed the osteocyte and osteoclast at control group, and beta3 integrin immunoreactivity was strongly increased the osteoclast from OVX 4 weeks. From these results, alveolar bone in maxilla of OVX rats was decreased BMD gradually. Moreover, alpha2 and alpha5 integrin expression of osteoblast was decreased, and alpha5, alphav and beta3 integrin expression of osteoclast was increased in OVX rats. Thus, this study indicates that consideration of reduced BMD is necessary in dental procedure of postmenopausal women.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Animals ; Bone Density* ; Bone Marrow ; Bone Resorption ; Dental Cementum ; Dental Pulp ; Estrogens ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Integrin alpha2 ; Integrin alpha5 ; Integrin alpha6 ; Integrin alphaV ; Integrin beta3 ; Integrins ; Ligaments ; Mandible ; Maxilla* ; Metabolism ; Odontoblasts ; Osteoblasts ; Osteoclasts ; Osteocytes ; Osteogenesis ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; Ovariectomy* ; Periodontal Ligament ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spine ; Tibia

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether the cytotoxic effect of Cimicifuga rhizoma extract is associated with cell death in the human keratinocyte (HaCaT) and human melanoma cell lines (G361). METHODS: Apoptosis induced by Cimicifuga rhizoma extract was confirmed by water-soluble tetrazolium salts-1 (WST-1) assay, immunocytochemistry, and western blot. Additionally, the release of cytochrome c and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) was visualized by confocal laser scanning microscopy. RESULTS: The results showed that Cimicifuga rhizoma extract significantly reduced the viability of G361 cells with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC 50) of 200 µg/ml, and the apoptotic process was found to occur via the activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9 pathways. Besides, the release of cytochrome c and AIF was also detected. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that Cimicifuga rhizoma extract causes apoptosis of human melanoma cells through the intrinsic apoptotic pathway.
Apoptosis Inducing Factor ; Apoptosis ; Blotting, Western ; Caspase 3 ; Caspase 9 ; Cell Death ; Cell Line ; Cimicifuga ; Cytochromes c ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Keratinocytes ; Melanoma ; Microscopy, Confocal

Animals ; Biomimetics ; Calcium ; Calcium Phosphates ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Dentin ; Dinucleoside Phosphates ; Mice ; Micronucleus Tests ; Odontoblasts ; Regeneration ; RNA ; Tooth

The purpose of this study was to investigate the antibacterial effect of the low temperature atmospheric plasma device with needle tip designed for easy approach to the oral cavity and root canal against Streptococcus mutans, Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans. The antibacterial activities evaluated by measuring clear zone of agar plate smeared with each bacteria after plasma treatment. To quantify antibacterial effects, dilution plate method was used. In addition, scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used for observation of changes in bacterial morphology. As treatment time of plasma increased, the clear zone was enlarged. The death rate was more than 99%. The SEM results showed that the globular shape of bacteria was distorted. These results suggest that needle tip plasma could be an innovative device for prevention of dental caries, and treatment of apical infection and soft tissue diseases.
Agar ; Bacteria ; Candida albicans ; Dental Caries ; Dental Pulp Cavity ; Enterococcus faecalis ; Mortality ; Mouth ; Needles ; Plasma* ; Streptococcus mutans

Chios gum mastic (CGM) is produced from Pistiacia lentiscus L var chia, which grows only on Chios Island in Greece. CGM is a kind of resin extracted from the stem and leaves, has been used for many centuries in many Mediterranean countries as a dietary supplement and folk medicine for stomach and duodenal ulcers. CGM is known to induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in some cancer cells. This study was undertaken to investigate the alteration of the cell cycle and induction of apoptosis following CGM treatment of HL-60 cells. The viability of the HL-60 cells was assessed using the MTT assay. Hoechst staining and DNA electrophoresis were employed to detect HL-60 cells undergoing apoptosis. Western blotting, immunocytochemistry, confocal microscopy, FACScan flow cytometry, MMP activity and proteasome activity analyses were also employed. CGM treatment of HL-60 cells was found to result in a dose- and time-dependent decrease in cell viability and apoptotic cell death. Tested HL-60 cells showed a variety of apoptotic manifestations and induced the downregulation of G1 cell cycle-related proteins. Taken collectively, our present findings demonstrate that CGM strongly induces G1 cell cycle arrest via the modulation of cell cycle-related proteins, and also apoptosis via proteasome, mitochondrial and caspase cascades in HL-60 cells. Hence, we provide evidence that a natural product, CGM could be considered as a novel therapeutic for human leukemia.
Apoptosis ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Cycle Checkpoints ; Cell Death ; Cell Survival ; Dietary Supplements ; DNA ; Down-Regulation ; Duodenal Ulcer ; Electrophoresis ; Flow Cytometry ; G1 Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints ; Gingiva ; Greece ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Leukemia ; Medicine, Traditional ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex ; Proteins ; Resins, Plant ; Stomach

Curcumin is a widely used flavoring agent in food, and it has been reported to inhibit cell growth, to induce apoptosis, and to have antitumor activity in many cancers. Cisplatin is one of the most potent known anticancer agents and shows significant clinical activity against a variety of solid tumors. This study was undertaken to investigate the synergistic apoptotic effects of co-treatment with curcumin and cisplatin on human tongue SCC25 cells. To investigate whether the co-treatment efficiently reduced the viability of the SCC25 cells compared with the two treatments separately, an MTT assay was conducted. The induction and the augmentation of apoptosis were confirmed by DNA electrophoresis, Hoechst staining, and an analysis of DNA hypoploidy. Western blot, MMP and immunofluorescence tests were also performed to evaluate the expression levels and the translocation of apoptosis-related proteins following the co-treatment. In this study, following the co-treatment with curcumin and cisplatin, the SCC25 cells showed several forms of apoptotic manifestation, such as nuclear condensation, DNA fragmentation, reduction of MMP, increased levels of Bax, decreased levels of Bcl-2, and decreased DNA content. In addition, they showed a release of cytochrome c into the cytosol, translocation of AIF and DFF40 (CAD) to the nuclei, and activation of caspase-7, caspase-3, PARP, and DFF45 (ICAD). In contrast, separate treatments of 5 microM of curcumin or 4 microg/ml of cisplatin, for 24 hours, did not induce apoptosis. Therefore, our data suggest that combination therapy with curcumin and cisplatin could be considered as a novel therapeutic strategy for human oral squamous cell carcinoma.
Antineoplastic Agents ; Apoptosis ; Blotting, Western ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Caspase 3 ; Caspase 7 ; Cell Line* ; Cisplatin* ; Curcumin* ; Cytochromes c ; Cytosol ; DNA ; DNA Fragmentation ; Electrophoresis ; Flavoring Agents ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Humans ; Tongue*

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of demineralized and particulate autogenous tooth, and interleukin-6 in bone regeneration. A demineralized and particulate autogenous tooth was prepared and human osteoblast-like cells (MG63) and human osteosarcoma cells were inoculated into the culture. The rate of cell adhesion, proliferation and mineralization were examined, and the appearance of cellular attachment was observed. An 8 mm critical size defect was created in the cranium of rabbits. Nine rabbits were divided into three groups including: An experimental group A (3 rabbits), in which a demineralised and particulate autogenous tooth was grafted; an experimental group B (3 rabbits), in which a demineralized, particulate autogenous tooth was grafted in addition to interleukin-6 (20 ng/mL); and a control group. The rabbits were sacrificed at 1, 2, 4 and 6 weeks for histopathological examination with H-E and Masson's Trichrome, and immunohistochemistry with osteocalcin. The cell-based assay showed a higher rate of cell adhesion, mineralization and cellular attachment in the experimental group A compared with the control group. The animal study revealed an increased number of osteoclasts, newly formed and mature bones in the experimental group A compared with the control group. Eventually, a higher number of osteoclasts were observed in the experimental group B. However, the emergence of newly formed and mature bone was lower than in the experimental group A. The current results suggest that treatment with demineralized and particulate autogenous tooth and interleukin-6 is not effective in stimulating bone regeneration during the bone grafting procedure.
Animals ; Bone Regeneration* ; Bone Transplantation ; Cell Adhesion ; Dentin* ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Interleukin-6* ; Miners ; Osteocalcin ; Osteoclasts ; Osteosarcoma ; Rabbits ; Skull ; Tooth ; Transplants