Anti-inflammatory effects of bamboo salt and sodium fluoride in human gingival fibroblasts--An in vitro study

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of solar salt brined kimchi

Salt is an essential ingredient in the kimchi fermentation process. Solar salt has antioxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-obesity properties. The aim of this study was to determine the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of solar salt brined kimchi. Purified salt (PS), dehydrated solar salt (DSS), 1-year aged solar salt (SS1), and 3-years aged solar salt (SS3) were investigated. Anti-inflammatory effects were determined by analyzing cytotoxicity, nitric oxide (NO) production, and inflammation-related gene expression in lipopolysaccharide-treated RAW264.7 cells. Antioxidant activities of DSS, SS1, and SS3 were higher than that of PS. Solar salt significantly inhibited NO production with low cytotoxicity and decreased inflammation-related gene expression. Kimchi containing solar salt (DSSK, SS1K, and SS3K) showed higher antioxidant activity than PSK. Additionally, DSSK, SS1K, and SS3K significantly inhibited NO production and decreased the expression of inflammation-related genes. Owing to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, using solar salt in kimchi preparation could have potential health benefits.

Antibacterial effect of an herbal toothpaste containing Bamboo salt: a randomized double-blinded controlled clinical trial

Background

The inclusion of herbal antibacterial agents in the composition of toothpastes is becoming increasingly popular, due to lower side effects. The present study intended to investigate the antibacterial efficacy of a herbal toothpaste containing Bamboo salt on cariogenic oral bacteria.

Methods

The present double-blinded parallel randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 60 dental students (age range: 18–30). Following the baseline saliva sampling, the participants were randomly assigned into the case and control groups, to use the Bamboo salt herbal toothpaste and conventional non-herbal toothpaste, respectively. They were instructed to brush their teeth twice a day using the Bass technique. Saliva sampling was repeated after four weeks. The salivary counts of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus at baseline and 4-week follow-up were determined and presented as the logarithm of colony-forming units per milliliter (log CFU/mL).

Results

A significant decrease in salivary Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus was observed using both toothpastes (*P < 0.001). The difference between the antibacterial efficacy of two toothpaste types on Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus was not statistically significant (P = 0.530, and P = 0.137, respectively).

Conclusion

Due to the comparable efficacy of the investigated herbal toothpaste with conventional toothpaste, it potentially qualifies as a complementary agent for self-care oral hygiene procedures.

Trial registration: This trial was registered in the “Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials” (IRCT20210414050964N1) on 21/06/2021.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12903-022-02224-z.

Supportive Home Remedies for Orofacial Pain during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: Their Value and Limitations

Background

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has impeded access to timely dental care, and there is an urgent need for adjuvant therapies that can reduce orofacial pain in emergencies.

Aims

To provide information on the benefits and limitations of eight representative home remedies as palliative care for orofacial pain during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Methods

PubMed and Medline were electronically searched for eight home remedies for orofacial pain that can be used in COVID-19. Papers published in English in the past 30 years were considered. Among the published studies suitable for the research purpose, those in which the abstract and body text were confirmed were targeted, and duplicate studies were excluded. Finally, 86 studies were included.

Results

There is extensive and high-level scientific evidence for the application of tooth brushing and flossing, mouth rinsing with chlorhexidine, use of over-the-counter pain medication, and application of cryotherapy in emergencies. Gargling with salt water, brushing with bamboo salt, gargling with garlic juice, and oil pulling are traditional methods used for centuries. The use of natural products for orofacial pain has a significant empirical effect but has weak scientific evidence.

Conclusions

Knowing the correct application method, effects, and side effects is desirable to use these methods appropriately in emergencies. However, scientific evidence is unclear and generally lacking for home remedies to be the main treatment strategy, and there are clear limitations to their use as a single main treatment.

Biphasic Functions of Sodium Fluoride (NaF) in Soft and in Hard Periodontal Tissues

Sodium fluoride (NaF) is widely used in clinical dentistry. However, the administration of high or low concentrations of NaF has various functions in different tissues. Understanding the mechanisms of the different effects of NaF will help to optimize its use in clinical applications. Studies of NaF and epithelial cells, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and periodontal cells have suggested the significant roles of fluoride treatment. In this review, we summarize recent studies on the biphasic functions of NaF that are related to both soft and hard periodontal tissues, multiple diseases, and clinical dentistry.

The effect of natural reducing agents on push-out bond strength of AH plus and BioRoot RCS to sodium hypochlorite treated root dentin

Aims:

To evaluate the effect of natural anticoagulants 6.5% proanthocyanidin (PA) and 25% bamboo salt on push-out bond strength (PBS) of AH Plus and BioRoot RCS to dentin.

Subjects and Methods:

30 single-rooted extracted human teeth were collected. After establishing the working length samples were prepared up to size F3. 5 ml of 3% NaOCl was used as irrigant during instrumentation followed by rinse with 5 ml of 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. Samples were randomly divided into groups based on the final irrigation solution: Group I – AH plus sealer group, Ia – Saline group, Ib – PA group, Ic – Bamboo salt (BS) group. Group II – BioRoot RCS group, IIa – Saline group, IIb – PA group, IIc – BS group. After obturation, samples were embedded in self-cure acrylic resin and 2 mm thick root slices were made at coronal middle and apical 3^rd. These slices were subjected to PBS testing followed by stereomicroscopic examination for checking the mode of failure.

Statistical Analysis Used:

Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn's post hoc test.

Results:

3% NaOCl significantly decreased the bond strength of AH Plus as compared to BioRoot RCS to dentin (P < 0.05). Both PA and BS were capable of increasing the PBS of AH Plus and BioRoot RCS to NaOCl-treated dentin.

Conclusions:

Final irrigation with antioxidants such as PA and BS eliminates the risk of reduced bond strength of sealer to root canal walls, which ensues following the use of NaOCl as an irrigant.

Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory effects of surface-reaction-type pre-reacted glass-ionomer filler containing root canal sealer in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages

A prototype surface-reaction-type pre-reacted glass-ionomer (S-PRG) filler containing root canal sealer (S-PRG sealer) exhibits bioactive potential by releasing multiple ions. This study explored the suppressive effects and modes of action of S-PRG sealer extracts on proinflammatory cytokine expression in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Expression of proinflammatory cytokines was evaluated by RT-qPCR and ELISA. Expression of phosphorylated nuclear factor-kappa B (p-NF-kB) p65 was evaluated by western blotting. S-PRG sealer extracts significantly downregulated mRNA expression levels of interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-6, and TNF-α in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells; the extracts also reduced the levels of IL-6 protein and p-NF-kB. In order to verify that Zn²⁺ was responsible for downregulation of proinflammatory cytokine expression, N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl) ethylenediamine (TPEN) was used as a heavy metal chelator with strong affinity for Zn²⁺. These effects were mitigated by TPEN. The application of ZnCl₂ reproduced the actions of S-PRG sealer extracts. These data suggest that S-PRG sealer has anti-inflammatory potential involving heavy metal ions such as Zn²⁺.

Effect of proanthocyanidin and bamboo salt on the push-out bond strength of an epoxy resin sealer to sodium hypochlorite-treated root dentin: An in vitro study

Background:

In endodontic therapy, final irrigation is often done with sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl). This jeopardizes the bond strength between the epoxy resin sealer, used subsequently in obturation and radicular dentin. This study aimed to analyze the effect of natural antioxidants, 6.5% proanthocyanidin (PA) and 25% bamboo salt (BS) on the reversal of NaOCl-induced reduced bond strength of an epoxy resin sealer to dentin.

Materials and Methods:

Thirty-three single-rooted extracted human teeth were randomly divided into three groups based on the final irrigation protocol: group 1 (saline), Group 2 (6.5% PA), and Group 3 (25% BS). The canals were cleaned, shaped, and obturated with gutta-percha and AH Plus sealer. 1.5 mm-thick root slices made from coronal, middle, and apical thirds of the canal were subjected to push-out bond strength (PBS) testing. The data were statistically analyzed using Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn's post hoc test (P < 0.05).

Results:

5.25% NaOCl significantly decreased the bond strength of AH Plus to dentin (P < 0.05). Both 6.5% PA and 25% BS were capable of reversing the compromised PBS of AH Plus to NaOCl-treated dentin.

Conclusion:

Final irrigation with antioxidants such as PA and BS eliminates the risk of reduced bond strength of AH Plus to root canal walls, which ensues following the use of NaOCl as an irrigant.

Fluoride: A review of pre-clinical and clinical studies

Fluoride is ubiquitous in environment and profound in bones, teeth and calcified tissues of human body. Fluoride has been the topic of regular discussion and investigations. Besides its toxicity, fluoride has also been examined for its beneficial effects like prevention and treatment of tooth decay, microbial infection, inflammation, cancer, occurrence of renal stone and many more. Since last many decades, several efforts have been made at pre-clinical and clinical level to understand role of fluoride in biological system. The present review gives a brief account of prevalence, sources of fluoride toxicity and pre-clinical and clinical studies carried out on effects of fluoride in last six decades.

Environmental Factors Impacting Bone-Relevant Chemokines

Chemokines play an important role in normal bone physiology and the pathophysiology of many bone diseases. The recent increased focus on the individual roles of this class of proteins in the context of bone has shown that members of the two major chemokine subfamilies-CC and CXC-support or promote the formation of new bone and the remodeling of existing bone in response to a myriad of stimuli. These chemotactic molecules are crucial in orchestrating appropriate cellular homing, osteoblastogenesis, and osteoclastogenesis during normal bone repair. Bone healing is a complex cascade of carefully regulated processes, including inflammation, progenitor cell recruitment, differentiation, and remodeling. The extensive role of chemokines in these processes and the known links between environmental contaminants and chemokine expression/activity leaves ample opportunity for disruption of bone healing by environmental factors. However, despite increased clinical awareness, the potential impact of many of these environmental factors on bone-related chemokines is still ill defined. A great deal of focus has been placed on environmental exposure to various endocrine disruptors (bisphenol A, phthalate esters, etc.), volatile organic compounds, dioxins, and heavy metals, though mainly in other tissues. Awareness of the impact of other less well-studied bone toxicants, such as fluoride, mold and fungal toxins, asbestos, and chlorine, is also reviewed. In many cases, the literature on these toxins in osteogenic models is lacking. However, research focused on their effects in other tissues and cell lines provides clues for where future resources could be best utilized. This review aims to serve as a current and exhaustive resource detailing the known links between several classes of high-interest environmental pollutants and their interaction with the chemokines relevant to bone healing.