The staining effect of different mouthwashes containing nanoparticles on dental enamel.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of several mouthwashes containing nanoparticles on discoloration of dental enamel, and compare the results with that of 0.2% chlorhexidine (CHX). Material and Methods: Sixty intact premolars were randomly assigned to six groups. A spectrophotometer was used to measure the color of the teeth (T1) according to the CIELAB system. The specimens in groups 1 to 4 were then immersed in colloidal solutions containing nanoTiO2 (Group 1), nanoZnO (Group 2), nanoAg (Group 3) and nanoCuO (Group 4). In groups 5 and 6, a 0.2% CHX mouthwash and distilled water were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. After 24 hours of immersion, color determination was repeated (T2). The third color assessment was accomplished after brushing (T3). The L, a, and b values were recorded and the color change (∆E) between different stages was calculated. Results: ANOVA revealed significant between-group differences in the color change between T1 and T2 stages, as well as between T1 and T3 time points ( p <0.05), whereas the color change between T2 and T3 was not signifi - cantly different among the study groups ( p =0.09). ∆ET1-T3 was significantly lower in the specimens immersed in distilled water or CHX as compared to the nanoparticle-containing mouthwashes ( p <0.05). The highest ∆E value pertained to the specimens immersed in nanoZnO-containing solution. The TiO2 nanoparticles caused the lowest staining among the tested nanoparticles. Conclusions: The mouthwashes containing nanoparticles produced comparable or even greater enamel discoloration compared to CHX. Brushing had little effect on removal of induced stain

Effectiveness of sodium bicarbonate combined with hydrogen peroxide and CPP-ACPF in whitening and microhardness of enamel

This study investigated the effects of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) combined with 1.5% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and casein phosphopeptide amorphous calcium phosphate fluoride (CPP-ACPF) on color and microhardness of enamel. Seventy-five bovine incisors were immersed in a tea solution for 7.5 days. The specimens were randomly divided into five groups according to the whitening agent applied: 1) 94% NaHCO3, 2) a blend of 94% NaHCO3 and CPP-ACPF, 3) a blend of 94% NaHCO3 and 1.5% H2O2, 4) a blend of 94% NaHCO3, 1.5% H2O2 and CPP-ACPF, 5) control. The whitening procedure was performed for 10 times over 10 days. At each day, the buccal surfaces were covered with whitening agents for 5 minutes and then brushed for 30 seconds. After the 10 days, the teeth were again immersed in a tea solution for 10 minutes. Color assessment was performed at baseline (T1), after the first staining process (T2), after the whitening procedure (T3), and after the second staining process (T4). Finally, the specimens were subjected to microhardness test. There was a statistically significant difference in the color change between T2 and T3 stages among the study groups (p<0.05), with the greatest improvement observed in group 4. Microhardness was significantly greater in groups 2 and 4, as compared to the other groups (p<0.05). The combination of 94% NaHCO3, 1.5% H2O2 and CPP-ACPF was effective in improving color and microhardness of teeth with extrinsic stains and could be recommended in the clinical situation

Analgesic Efficacy of Aloe Vera and Green Tea Mouthwash After Periodontal Pocket Reduction Surgery: A Randomized Split-Mouth Clinical Trial

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of aloe vera and green tea mouthwash for reducing pain after periodontal pocket reduction surgery.Methods: This randomized, split-mouth, double-blind, cross-over clinical trial was carried out on 45 patients between 25 and 50 years of age requiring pocket reduction surgery. Patients underwent bilateral surgeries in two sessions. After the first surgery, the patients were randomized to receive either mouthwash or placebo for 10 days; then, each group used the other product for the same time period. The parameters assessed following each procedure were the numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) and number of painkillers taken by patients to alleviate postoperative pain. Also, patients were requested to report side effects, if any, after using the mouthwash.Results: The reported postoperative pain score was significantly lower after using the aloe vera and green tea mouthwash compared to the placebo only in the first postoperative day (P=0.002). Furthermore, number of analgesic tablets used in the first postoperative day was significantly lower than that in the control group (P=0.007).Conclusion: Our results indicated that patients experienced significantly less early postoperative pain when they used aloe vera and green tea mouthwash. Thus, its application can be recommended to decrease pain after periodontal pocket reduction surgery

Preparation and Investigation of Poly (N-isopropylacrylamide-acrylamide) Membranes in Temperature Responsive Drug Delivery

Objective(s)Physiological changes in the body may be utilized as potential triggers for controlled drug delivery. Based on these mechanisms, stimulus–responsive drug delivery has been developed.Materials and MethodsIn this study, a kind of poly (N-isopropylacrylamide-acrylamide) membrane was prepared by radical copolymerization. Changes in swelling ratios and diameters of the membrane were investigated in terms of temperature. On-off regulation of drug permeation through the membrane was then studied at temperatures below and above the phase transition temperature of the membrane. Two drugs, vitamin B12 and acetaminophen were chosen as models of high and low molecular weights here, respectively. ResultsIt was indicated that at temperatures below the phase transition temperature of the membrane, copolymer was in a swollen state. Above the phase transition temperature, water was partially expelled from the functional groups of the copolymer. Permeation of high molecular weight drug models such as vitamin B12 was shown to be much more distinct at temperatures below the phase transition temperature when the copolymer was in a swollen state. At higher temperatures when the copolymer was shrunken, drug permeation through the membrane was substantially decreased. However for acetaminophen, such a big change in drug permeation around the phase transition temperature of the membrane was not observed. ConclusionAccording to the pore mechanism of drug transport through hydrogels, permeability of solutes decreased with increasing molecular size. As a result, the relative permeability, around the phase transition temperature of the copolymer, was higher for solutes of high molecular weight

A Comparison of Explanation Methods of Encapsulation Efficacy of Hydroquinone in a Liposomal System

     One of the most important parameters describing the liposomal formulation of hydroquinone is encapsulation efficacy. For the efficacy evaluation of hydroquinone trapped in liposomal structure, there is a need to first separate liposome from the matrix surrounding it. There are various separation techniques; however, in this study, the three techniques of centrifuges with and without washing and dialysis were used. From among the laboratory techniques, an appropriate method is the one that offers responses with a high repeatability. The statistical calculations revealed that encapsulation efficacy with a direct method resulted from a separation via the techniques of dialysis and centrifuge without washing had the highest dispersion with SDs of 6.1 and 8.7, respectively, while the SD value in the technique of centrifuge with washing was 5.2. Through an indirect method, hydroquinone encapsulation efficacy showed the best repeatability with SD values of 2.8 and 2.1 by using the two techniques of centrifuge and centrifuge filtration, respectively. It seems that the treatments leading to the dilution of hydroquinone formulation would result in hydroquinone leakage and a reduction of encapsulation efficacy. It seems that measurement of hydroquinone encapsulation efficacy with an indirect method is a better choice; therefore,  a centrifuge technique was utilized to report the mentioned efficacy at a speed of 45000 rcf and duration of 30 min due to having a reasonable price and ease of access.

Efficacy of Topical Liposomal Amphotericin B versus Intralesional Meglumine Antimoniate (Glucantime) in the Treatment of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

Background. Topical treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis is an attractive alternative avoiding toxicities of parenteral therapy while being administered through a simple painless route. Recently liposomal formulations of amphotericin B have been increasingly used in the treatment of several types of leishmaniasis. Aims. The efficacy of a topical liposomal amphotericin B formulation was compared with intralesional glucantime in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Methods. From 110 patients, the randomly selected 50 received a topical liposomal formulation of amphotericin B into each lesion, 3–7 drops twice daily, according to the lesion's size and for 8 weeks. The other group of 60 patients received intralesional glucantime injection of 1-2 mL once a week for the same period. The clinical responses and side effects of both groups were evaluated weekly during the treatment course. Results. Per-protocol analysis showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.317, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.610 (0.632–4.101)). Moreover, after intention-to-treat analysis, the same results were seen (P = 0.650, 95% CI = 0.1.91 (0.560–2.530)). Serious post treatment side effects were not observed in either group. Conclusions. Topical liposomal amphotericin B has the same efficacy as intralesional glucantime in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis

A modern formulation of traditional medicine: Jujube) Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) fruit syrup

Ziziphus jujuba Mill.,commonly called jujube (Rhamnaceae) has been known for its health benefits and used to cure different diseases such as asthma, cough and anxiety. The aim of this study is a formulation of its syrup and evaluation of physicochemical properties in accelerated stability conditions. The isosbestic point of spinosin (as marker) and its stability kinetic was studied in different buffers (pH range: 3-8). The isosbestic point was 259 nm that was different from max (334 nm). It was found that spinosin was more stable at pH of 7. So, the pH of the syrup was adjusted to 7. The syrup was a brown viscous liquid with jujube fruit flavor. Dry residue, pH, density and viscosity of the syrup were found to be 0.8 g/mL, 7, 1.29 g/mL and 0.14 Pa/s, respectively. During accelerated stability studies no significant changes were observed in physical properties and 3.2% decrease in spinosin content was seen that is acceptable. The preservative effectiveness test showed that the free preservative formulation met the USP criteria. In conclusion, Z. jujuba fruit syrup has a suitable potential to be manufactured on the mass production for traditional herbal medicine markets

Characterization of Encapsulated Berberine in Yeast Cells of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae

Abstract Berberine was loaded in yeast cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a novel pharmaceutical carrier to improve the treatment of many diseases. The yeast-encapsulated active materials showed high stability and bioavailability due to the enhanced solubility and sustained releasing. In this study, different characteristics of prepared berberine loaded yeast cells (loading capacity, release kinetic order, MIC and stability) were evaluated by different analytical methods (fluorescence spectroscopy, HPLC and SEM).The loading capacity was about 78% ± 0.6%. Berberine release patterns of microcapsules happened in two different stages and followed by zero and first-order kinetic,respectively. About 99% of all active material released during 34 hours. MIC was improved by berberine loaded microcapsules in comparison with berberine powder. The microcapsules were completely stable. Berberine loaded Sac. cerevisiae could be considered as a favorite sustained release drug delivery system. The yeast would be applied as an efficient carrier to improve various properties of different active materials

Evaluation of teeth whitening with application of novel toothpaste containing ozone

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of different whitening toothpastes, focusing on the experimental ozonated toothpaste. METHODS: This laboratory study included a sample of 48 sound human molar teeth. Teeth were randomly assigned into four groups according to toothpaste treatment to be evaluated objectively (colorimetric method) and subjectively (visual assessment) (n = 12). Group I: Ozonated toothpaste (experimental); Group II: Non-ozonated toothpaste (experimental); Group III: Aqua fresh whitening triple protection; and Group IV: Nasim (toothpaste without a chemical whitening agent). After tea staining and color assessment, the teeth were subjected to a tooth brushing regime as for 6 weeks, done twice a day, 2 min each time (total: 168 min). Next, color changes were determined after brushing by instrumental and visual methods. RESULTS: Analysis of variance and the Tukey tests were used for evaluating statistical data (α = 0.05). Color change by instrumental index showed that ozonated and aquafresh toothpastes increased teeth whitening; however, the amount color change was not significant (P > 0.050). With visual assessment there was a significant difference between mean color change among the four groups (P = 0.008). CONCLUSION: Ozonated toothpaste caused significant whitening changes in discolored teeth from a clinical point of view by visual assessment. KEYWORDS: Ozone, Toothpaste, Whitenin