Effect of Lactobacillus reuteri on Gingival Inflammation and Composition of the Oral Microbiota in Patients Undergoing Treatment with Fixed Orthodontic Appliances: Study Protocol of a Randomized Control Trial

Analgesic Potential Comparison Between Piperine-Combined Curcumin Patch and Non-Piperine Curcumin Patch: A Pragmatic Trial on Post-Cleft Lip/Palate Surgery Pediatric Patients

Purpose

Despite its well-acknowledged analgesic potential, curcumin's low bioavailability has been recognized. Piperine, a substance naturally contained in pepper, has been known for its effect on increasing curcumin bioavailability. To investigate the analgesic potential of curcumin and piperine addition to curcumin patch used as adjuvant therapy in the management of acute postoperative orofacial pain.

Patients and Methods

This pragmatic trial recruited 75 patients that underwent oromaxillofacial surgery at Unpad Dental Hospital, Bandung, Indonesia. Research participants were randomly assigned to three different groups: the first group that did not receive any intervention other than the post-operative standard treatment (POST), the second group that received POST and non-piperine curcumin patch, and the third group that received POST and piperine-combined curcumin patch. Participants' pain intensity was evaluated by using the face, leg, activity, cry, and consolability (FLACC) pain scale and salivary prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2) level for two-time points, which were eight hours apart. All data were gathered and analyzed to compare the within and between-group differences.

Results

Within groups comparison of the FLACC scores for two evaluation points showed significant differences for all groups (p < 0.01). For salivary PGE2 analysis, a comparison of the non-piperine group to the piperine group also showed significant results. Yet, when all three groups were compared, regardless of the differences, the results were not statistically significant.

Conclusion

Despite of the proven efficacy of curcumin patch, the addition of piperine to the curcumin patch in the current study did not provide any significant effects. Further investigation is of importance.

The antimicrobial effect of Limosilactobacillus reuteri as probiotic on oral bacteria: A scoping review

Dysbiosis among oral microbial community in the oral cavity can lead to several oral diseases. Probiotic therapy is known to correct these imbalances. Limosilactobacillus reuteri is one of the most studied strains of probiotics and can control oral microbiota through reuterin, a wide-spectrum antimicrobial agent. The objective of this review was to evaluate the effect of the antimicrobial activity of Limosilactobacillus reuteri on the oral bacteria of humans. This review used PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases as bibliographic resources. Studies with matching keywords were analyzed and screened with PRISMA-ScR recommendations. Sixteen articles were selected for this review, which included a total of 832 patients. Based on this review, Limosilactobacillus reuteri has a strong antibacterial effect against Streptococcus mutans in healthy individuals but is not effective against Lactobacillus. Additionally, it has a significant antibacterial effect against Porphiromonas gingivalis in patients with periodontitis, although its effectiveness is not stable in patients with peri-implant infections. Furthermore, Limosilactobacillus reuterihas varying results against other bacteria, indicating the need for further extensive research to ensure its efficacy.

Role of probiotics in managing various human diseases, from oral pathology to cancer and gastrointestinal diseases

The imbalance of microbial composition and diversity in favor of pathogenic microorganisms combined with a loss of beneficial gut microbiota taxa results from factors such as age, diet, antimicrobial administration for different infections, other underlying medical conditions, etc. Probiotics are known for their capacity to improve health by stimulating the indigenous gut microbiota, enhancing host immunity resistance to infection, helping digestion, and carrying out various other functions. Concurrently, the metabolites produced by these microorganisms, termed postbiotics, which include compounds like bacteriocins, lactic acid, and hydrogen peroxide, contribute to inhibiting a wide range of pathogenic bacteria. This review presents an update on using probiotics in managing and treating various human diseases, including complications that may emerge during or after a COVID-19 infection.

Effectiveness of the Lorodent Probiotic Lozenge in Reducing Plaque and Streptococcus mutans Levels in Orthodontic Patients: A Double-Blind Randomized Control Trial

Orthodontic patients are at a significant risk for oral diseases due to increased plaque accumulation and oral bacterial dysbiosis. We aimed to determine the efficacy of the commercially available Lorodent Probiotic Complex at reducing plaque accumulation and Streptococcus mutans bacterial levels in adolescent orthodontic patients. Sixty adolescents undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment for a minimum of 6 months were recruited in a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial. They received either Lorodent probiotic lozenge (intervention, n = 30) or placebo lozenge (control, n = 30) orally every day for a 28-day administration period. Participants were assessed at four appointments (T1–T4) over a total of 56 days. Compliance and lozenge satisfaction were monitored. Saliva samples and supragingival plaques were collected for evaluation of S. mutans levels. Clinical assessment using a Plaque Index (PI) was used. Compliance with lozenge intake of all participants was over 90%. There was no significant change in the PI and composite PI scores in both placebo and probiotic groups at each time frame (all p &gt; 0.05) or the relative S. mutans DNA levels in the saliva and plaque between the probiotic and placebo groups. The findings of high compliance and satisfaction with the probiotic lozenges combined with the study's rigorous design offer a baseline for subsequent testing of further potential probiotics (of varying formulations, concentrations), especially in adolescents.

Short- term effect of probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri consumption on the salivary microbiome profile of subjects undergoing orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion