Removal of acetaldehyde from saliva by mucoadhesive formulations containing cysteine and chlorhexidine diacetate: a possible approach to the prevention of oral cavity alcohol-related cancer

The aim of our work has been to develop buccoadhesive formulations (tablets) containing both L-cysteine and chlorhexidine diacetate and to verify their ability to reduce oral acetaldehyde produced after alcoholic drinks consumption

Azione di estratti polifenolici naturali sul ceppo probiotico <i>Lactobacillus casei</i> ATCC 12116

La presente indagine ha lo scopo di studiare il comportamento del ceppo probiotico Lactobacillus casei ATCC 12116 in presenza di estratti naturali ricchi di polifenoli. Gli estratti sono stati preparati a partire sia da mieli sardi di diversa origine botanica che da droghe essiccate reperite attraverso i canali commerciali, e in essi sono stati determinati i polifenoli presenti. Attualmente, utilizzando tecniche microbiologiche standard, si stanno valutando la vitalità e la crescita del microrganismo in presenza di varie concentrazioni di questi estratti e in varie condizioni sperimentali. Sul poster saranno discussi in dettaglio i risultati ottenuti

Effects of supplementation with vegetable extracts on physicochemical, antioxidant and microbiological properties of yogurts

The objective of this work was the evaluation of physico-chemical properties, antioxidant capacity and microbiological vitality of in laboratory prepared yogurts, whose fermentation was conducted in presence or in absence of different vegetable extracts: artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) edible (ED) and not edible (NED) part, strawberry-tree (Arbutus unedo L.) fruits at two different stages of ripening, ripe (red) and unripe (yellow) fruits, cherries (Prunus avium L.), compared to commercial yogurts supplemented with vegetable extracts or with antioxidant factors

Incorporation of different natural polyphenol extracts into a yoghurt and their effect on viability of a selected probiotic strain

The aims of our project were: (1) to prepare different extracts of strawberry-tree honey, Cynara scolymus L. (artichoke), Arbutus unedo L. fruits (strawberry-tree) and Prunus avium L. var. Bonnannaro fruits (cherry) and characterise them with respect to their polyphenol contents; (2) to study the effect of these extracts on viability of probiotic strain Lactobacillus casei ATCC 12116; (3) to incorporate these extracts into commercial yoghurt samples to verify if their presence improves the shelf-life of this food

Preparation and characterisation of polymeric films containing propolis

Propolis is a natural resinous substance, with a high polyphenol content, produced by honeybees and characterized by antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which make it useful for different therapeutic applications, especially in the stomatological field in the treatment of mild buccal diseases. The aim of this study was to prepare some polymeric film formulations for local delivery of propolis into the oral cavity. For this purpose, a commercial propolis fluid extract and three extracts (dry, ethanolic, glyceric) obtained from raw propolis were previously characterized with regard to their polyphenolic fraction composition and their antimicrobial properties against Candida albicans, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus strains. Commercial fluid extract, judged the most suitable in terms of polyphenol content and antimicrobial activity, was then incorporated into alginate, alginate-chitosan and agar films, prepared using a casting-solvent evaporation technique, which were finally evaluated in terms of thickness, total polyphenol content, in vitro polyphenol release profiles, swelling behaviour and antimicrobial properties. Our results demonstrate that polymeric films can be proposed as new propolis vehicles in the treatment of dental and buccal diseases

Preparation, <i>in vitro</i> characterization and preliminary <i>in vivo</i> evaluation of buccal polymeric films containing chlorhexidine

The aim of this work was to investigate the suitability of some polymeric films as buccal systems for the delivery of the antiseptic drug chlorhexidine diacetate, considered as a valid adjunct in the treatment of oral candidiasis. Six different film formulations, mono- or double-layered, containing 5 or 10 mg of chlorhexidine diacetate, respectively, and alginate and/or hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and/or chitosan as excipients, were prepared by a casting-solvent evaporation technique and characterized in terms of drug content, morphology (scanning electron microscopy), drug release behavior, and swelling properties. Moreover, the in vivo concentrations of chlorhexidine diacetate in saliva were evaluated after application of a selected formulation on the oral mucosa of healthy volunteers. The casting-solvent evaporation proved to be a suitable technique for preparing soft, flexible, and easily handy mono- or double-layered chlorhexidine-loaded films. Some prepared formulations showed favorable in vitro drug release rates and swelling properties. The behavior of a selected formulation, chosen on the basis of its in vitro release results, was preliminarily investigated in vivo after application in the oral cavity of healthy volunteers. The films were well tolerated and the salivary chlorhexidine concentrations were maintained above the minimum inhibitory concentration for Candida albicans for almost 3 h. These preliminary results indicate that polymeric films can represent a valid vehicle for buccal delivery of antifungal/antimicrobial drugs

Buccal tablets containing cysteine and chlorhexidine for the reduction of acetaldehyde levels in the oral cavity

There is growing evidence that a large proportion of upper digestive tract tumors are ascribable to heavy alcohol drinking and tobacco consumption. The cancer-promoting action of ethanol is mediated by acetaldehyde, its first metabolite, also derived from the bacterial oxidation of alcohol by the oral microflora, classified by the International Agency for the Research on Cancer as a carcinogen. Acetaldehyde is also one of the major components of tobacco smoke. These findings suggest two different strategies to decrease the risk of alcohol-related oral cancers: the reduction of the levels of alcohol-derived acetaldehyde in saliva and the reduction of oral bacterial flora. Therefore, the aim of our study was to develop and characterize some buccal tablet formulations containing both 20 mg l-cysteine hydrochloride (able to chemically neutralize acetaldehyde) and 10 mg chlorhexidine diacetate (well-known antiseptic compound active against a large spectrum of oral microbes). One of these formulations, chosen on the basis of its favourable delivery kinetics of the active principles, was demonstrated to be able to reduce acetaldehyde concentration in an in vitro system and to lower its salivary levels in volunteers after ethanol contact. Our findings support the hypothesis that the application of buccal devices containing cysteine and chlorhexidine could reduce salivary acetaldehyde levels and thus the incidence of upper gastrointestinal cancer in drinkers and smokers

Cannabinoid CB1 receptor knockout mice fail to self-administer morphine but not other drugs of abuse.

The rewarding effects of morphine, cocaine, amphetamine and nicotine were evaluated in CB1 receptor knockout mice by means of an intravenous self-administration model. Experiments were carried out on drug-naive animals using a nose-poking response (NPR)-like as operandum. The results of the present study indicate that morphine did not induce intravenous self-administration in mutant CB1 receptor knockout mice, whereas it was significantly self-administered by the corresponding wild type mice. On the contrary, cocaine, amphetamine and nicotine were self-administered to the same extent by both wild type and CB1 receptor knockout mice. These data clearly indicate that the CB1 cannabinoid receptor is essential not only for the expression of cannabinoid reinforcing effects but also for the modulation of morphine rewarding effects. The specificity of such interaction is supported by the finding that contrary to morphine, cocaine, d-amphetamine and nicotine were self-administered by mice at the same extent either in presence or in absence of the CB1 receptor.Journal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tSCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Cystic echinococcosis in a domestic cat (Felis catus) in Italy

Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato is a zoonotic agent with a life cycle consisting of definitive hosts (dogs and wild carnivores), and intermediate hosts (usually ungulates). Other animals and humans may accidentally ingest eggs and contract cystic echinococcosis, acting as aberrant hosts. A 3-year-old neutered female cat was brought to a veterinary practice in Sassari (Italy) with abdominal distension. Ultrasound showed multiple intraperitoneal vesicles, which on laparotomy were found to be metacestodes of E. granulosus. Videos of the extraction of cysts are provided. Phylogenetic analysis based on a fragment of the cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) mitochondrial gene identified the isolate as E. granulosus sensu stricto genotype G1, the most common genotype circulating in Europe and the Mediterranean basin. This is the first case report of cystic echinococcosis in domestic cats from Italy