The effectiveness of Turmeric gel in the healing of donor site for Free Gingival Graft

BACKGROUND: Preparation of turmeric extract gel with a concentration of 10% and comparing it with non-eugenol gingival dressing (Coe-PakTM) in the healing and re-epithelialization of palatal donor site after free gingival graft, and reduction of postoperative pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted on twenty-two patients with lack of attached gingival tissue for various reasons and received soft tissue augmentation via free gingival grafts. Participants were randomly divided into two equal groups: group I (test) was treated with 10% turmeric gel while group II (control) was treated with (Coe-PakTM). Both pain level index which assessed by using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Analgesic consumption index were recorded for 7 days after surgery. The healing index, the color match index, and the re-epithelialization index were assessed on days 7, 14, 21, and 28. Finally, wound size index was measured via periodontal Probe at baseline and days 7, 14, 21, 28, and after 2 months. RESULTS: Group I showed significant pain reduction measured by VAS and analgesic consumption on day 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 (p0.05). Group I demonstrated significant acceleration in the initial healing process during the 1st week (p=0.002) and 2nd week (p=0.01) with no significant difference between both groups in the 3rd and 4th weeks (p>0.05). Group I showed statistically higher VAS for the color match on day 7, 14, 21, and 28. No statistical difference was noted between the groups after two months. There was no statistical difference between groups I and II in the re-epithelialization and wound size index at any of the follow-up periods (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: 10% turmeric extract gel showed relief of post-operative pain, acceleration of the healing process, and better outcomes in terms of the color match for the palatal wound after free gingival grafting procedure comparing to the Coe-PakTM periodontal dressing. KEYWORDS: Curcumin; Free gingival graft; periodontal dressing; donor site

Total Phenolic Content and Antioxidant Activity of Two Teucrium Species from Syria

Germander (Teucrium, Lamiaceae) is a genus commonly used as a medicinal herb in the middle east. The aim of this study was to estimate total polyphenols and antioxidant activity of different extracts from two Syrian Teucrium species (Teucrium polium and Teucrium creticum). Total polyphenols content was measured using Folin-Ciocalteu assay and the antioxidant activity was evaluated in vitro by DPPH assay (free radical scavenging activity against 1, 1 –diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl). The total polyphenols content and antioxidant activity of T. creticum extracts were higher than T. polium ones. Phenols contents ranged from 16.388 to 105.672 mg GA E/ g dry weight extract. The extracts showed significant scavenging activity against DPPH, with IC50 values ranging between 0.195 and 0.710 mg/ml. The methanolic extracts show higher antioxidant activity from the two species. A good correlation between DPPH scavenging activities and contents of polyphenols was found. These results show that Syrian Teucrium species, especially T. creticum least Known among all, is a rich source of phenols and natural antioxidant compounds, that can be used as a natural food preservative

Spirokermeline: A Macrocyclic Spirolactone from Kermadecia elliptica Brongn. & Gris

Spirokermeline, a new macrocyclic compound derived from resorcinol, was isolated from Kermadecia elliptica, an endemic species of New Caledonia. The structure of spirokermeline was elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and X-ray single-crystal diffraction analysis. This is the first time that a 3H,3′H-spiro[benzofuran-2,1′-isobenzofuran]-3,3′-dione was isolated from higher plants and only the second time that this scaffold was found in nature. A possible biosynthetic pathway is proposed