Qualitative Evaluation of Fluoride Ions in Different Sodium Fluoride Tablet Formulations Used for Children

Introduction: Use of fluoride tablet is one of the several ways of fluoridation in children. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the systemic absorption of fluoride from a generic sodium fluoride tablet, in comparison with a commercial one.Methods and Materials: This was a double-blind, cross over study. Following ingestion of 1 mg of fluoride in a generic or commercial form, urine samples were collected from 27 healthy boys aged 8-10 years old over a 24-hour period. The urine samples were analyzed by potentiometeric method using fluoride ion selective electrode.Results: Under the identical conditions, the mean 24-hour urinary fluoride excretion rate of the subjects before taking any generic and commercial fluoride tablets were 15.87±4.68 and 17.51±6.40 g/hr, respectively. The average rates of 24-hour urinary fluoride excretion of the subjects were 25.74±6.75 and 28.21±9.23 g/hr after the ingestion of generic and commercial fluoride tables, respectively. The mean cumulative amounts of fluoride ion excreted in 24-hour urine collection were 28% and 22% of the administered doses of commercial and generic fluoride tablets, respectively.Discussion: Results indicated that the systemic absorption of the fluoride ion released from the generic tablet is not significantly different from the commercial one. Therefore, it can be suggestedthat the tested generic tablets is bioequivalent to the commercial ones

Chemical Constituents of Cupressus sempervirens L. cv. Cereiformis Rehd. Essential Oils: Essential Oils of Cupressus semipervirens L.cv.

The essential oils obtained from fresh fruits and terminal branchlets with adherent leaves of Cupressus sempervirens L. cv. Cereiformis Rehd. growing in Iran, were analyzed by GC-MS, and screened for bacteriostatic and fungistatic activities. Thirteen components were identified in the essential oils. The mainconstituents of both fruits and leaves were ?-pinene, Æ-3-carene, ?-terpenyl acetate and terpinolene. The essential oil of leaves and fruits showed no antimicrobial activity against, Bacillus subtilis, Candida albicans, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The defatted ethanolic extract of leaves and fruits were examined for the presence of alkaloids, flavonoides, and saponins. The nonvolatile compounds in leaves and fruits were quite rich in tannins and flavonoids but the amounts of alkaloids and saponins were not significant

Essential oil diversity and molecular characterization of Ephedra species using RAPD analysis

Background and objectives: The genus Ephedra (Ephedraceae) consists of about 40 species of mostly shrubs and rarely small trees around the world. In the present study, the essential oil (EO) diversity and genetic relationships were investigated in six Ephedra species from Iran using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Methods: Theplants were collected from two different provinces; Azarbayjan (north-west) and Khorasan (north-east) of Iran. The EOs were obtained by hydro-distillation and analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The DNA was extracted from the aerial parts of the plants using a Qiagen Dneasy Plant Mini Kit. Amplification was performed using decamer RAPD primers. Results: A total of 187 bands were scored and used for the analysis of genetic distances. Genetic distance values ranged from 0.25 to 0.95.The analysis showed the highest genetic diversity (25%) between E. foliata with other species. Ephedra foliata formed a distinct group. Ephedra strobilacea was found to be the most similar to E. sarcocarpa (male).Conclusion: High genetic and EO diversity was demonstrated in this genus which should be further studied in order to make more efficient use of the species and considering relevant conservation programs