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Benzene is a notorious toxicant that is responsible for a host of diseases including leukemia. Its concentration in the environment is increasing day-by-day due to excessive automobile use, accelerated industrial activities and cigarette smoke. The awareness on the harmful effects of benzene on health is limited and no antidote has been reported yet. In this study, an attempt has been made to find out a suitable remedy to overcome benzene toxicity in a living organism from a natural source with the seeds of the plant Moringa oleifera (MO). Thirty six Wistar rats were considered for the study and divided into six groups (n=6). While group I remained as control with normal animals, those in groups II - VI received benzene by oral route (800 mg/kg body weight) for 28 consecutive days. On day 29, the benzene-treated animals in groups III - VI received respectively the standard drug ascorbic acid (AA, 25 mg/kg body weight) and MO (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight) for the following 7 days. Group II rats that received only benzene served as negative control without any treatment. On day 36, all the animals were sacrificed and vital organs liver and kidney were removed for studying lipid peroxidation (LPO) and antioxidant markers [Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Total reduced glutathione (TRG), Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and Catalase (CAT)] in addition to histopathological changes in the tissues. The results of the study revealed that significant changes occurred in the above parameters due to benzene dosing to animals were reverted to near normal values on MO administration in the liver and kidney tissues as compared to untreated animals, suggesting MO's pro-active role in attenuating benzene toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lead toxicity and related health issues have become global concern due to increased use of lead-based products in the modern world. Though attempts are being made to tackle this malady through many ways, the use of naturally occurring materials that are available locally is a subtle approach. In this investigation, the fruits of E. officinalis (EO) were studied for their potential in overcoming biochemical and hematological alterations caused by metallic lead in rat model. Four groups of rats, each containing six animals, were considered for the study. Group I served as normal control while to other groups (II-IV), metallic lead powder (100 ppm/rat) was orally administrated for 30 consecutive days. From day 31, the animals in groups III and IV were treated with EO in doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight (p. o.), respectively, for the following seven days. Group II served as lead-treated control. On day 38, the animals in all groups were sacrificed and the blood was collected and serum separated. The changes in biochemical (aspartate aminotrasferase, alanine aminotrasferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyltrasferase, total cholesterol, triglycerides, urea, creatinine and calcium) and hematological (red blood cell count, white blood cell count, hemoglobin, packed cell volume and platelet count) parameters were estimated. Lead treated animals in Group - II showed appreciable changes in hematological and biochemical parameters. Treatment with EO (50 and 100 mg/kg) significantly restored the changes in the above parameters to near normal values implying that the fruit of E. officinalis is an effective natural material to overcome widespread lead toxicity. This observation is further supported by histopathological studies of liver and kidney tissues wherein the distorted architecture, degeneration and other changes found in lead-treated animals were brought back to near normal stages by the treatment of EO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The term LASER is an acronym for 'Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation'. The first laser was introduced in the 1960's by Miaman. Laser is used to treat a number of various dental conditions like composite restorations etc.. It is most commonly used in restorations for treating hypersensitivity, tooth decay, gum diseases and whitening teeth. Various kinds of lasers such as ND:YAG, Er:YAG, Er:Cr:YSGG are used in various dental procedures. Laser seems to be made for effective removal of dentine and enamel with only minor side effects such as thermal damage. The capability of Er:YAG lasers for the removal of hard tissues in dentistry was exhibited as of now in 1989, Er:YAG (erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet) lasers have been progressively utilized in dental practices and are turning out to be increasingly more an agreeable technique for caries evacuation for patients, as conventional cavity drilling may cause noise and pain. Laser received FDA approval for caries removal and cavity preparations. The use of laser therapy also seems to be promising from many recent researchers. Laser therapy induces surface roughness or even improves bond strength or decreases marginal leakage. There seems to be a general consensus on the fact that Er:YAG is one of the best suited types of lasers because it's efficiency in dentine is very good without any damage of pulp. Er:YAG lasers are a lot utilized in small scale blasts that may bring visible irregularities. In addition, pain reduction in comparison to bur assisted preparation of cavities has been clearly demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant kingdom serves the best source of remedy for all sorts of problems of the human body. Microbial species that are found in almost every habitat present in nature accounts for about 60% of the Earth's total biomass. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has stated that more than 80% of the people in the world rely upon traditional medicines for their primary treatment. On that note Achyranthes aspera commonly called as chaff flower has got immense therapeutic values. Each and every part of the plant, most importantly it's seeds, roots and shoots possess great medicinal values. Achyranthes aspera belongs to the family Amaranthaceae. The Plant is a stiff erect annual herb. Achyranthes aspera has been used as a folk medicine in Australia, India and Kenya It is useful in treating cough, renal dropsy, fistula, scrofula, skin rash, nasal infection, chronic malaria, impotence, fever, asthma, piles and snake bites. Their stem parts can be used as an emmenagogue, anti arthritic, laxative, ecbolic, abentifacien, anti helminthic, antiviral, anti plasmodic, anti hypertensive, anti coagulant, diuretic and anti tumor agent. The ash from the burnt plant can be mixed with mustard oil and a pinch of salt and the tooth powder obtained is useful in cleaning teeth, treating pyorrhea and tooth ache. Their roots can also be powdered and used as a tooth powder and the roots itself were used as brushes. In India and Terai of Nepal, the juice of the plant is applied to relieve toothache. The stem of the plant was also used as a toothbrush after removing the thorns. The infusion of the twig is also used as a wash for tooth pain. Their usage in dentistry is remarkable as it has got good anti-cariogenic properties and anti inflammatory properties which has been discussed in detail in the current review article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anemia is a condition in which you lack enough healthy red blood cells to carry sufficient oxygen into the tissues of your body. Anemia can make you feel weak and tired. Iron deficiency anemia is the most common form of anemia, which occurs when there is not enough mineral iron in your body. To generate hemoglobin your body needs iron. If your blood supply doesn't have enough iron, the rest of the body can't get the amount of oxygen it needs.Hair is a fast-proliferating organ with a high blood supply requirement. The length and size of the hair depend on the hair cycle anagen, growth stage. At the center of these systems, however, lies the blood supply in the scalp, the oxygen delivery system, and nutrients that are provided to the subcutaneous blood flowing hair follicles. It is not yet clear what role iron plays in hair loss. This research had the purpose of determining the relationship between iron and hair loss. Iron hair loss deficiency may look like traditional hair loss patterned by males and females. A study published in the Journal of Korean Medical Science found that iron may not only play a role in hair loss, but may also cause hair to fall out in a manner similar to genetic baldness of male and female patterns. The aim of the study is to analyse the role of iron deficiency in chronic hair loss. Most widely cited nutritional causes of hair loss include iron, one of the key micronutrients in metabolism of our body. This review gives a clear knowledge about the different roles played by iron deficiency in the body, specifically its role in chronic hair loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review gives an overview on the molecular diagnostic methods to detect the n-CoV disease with their limitations. The related articles are taken from different search engines like PUBMED, google scholar, MeSH Core, Cochrane, BioRxiv, Semantic scholar and so on that were published during the time period of 2000 to till date. Using the five step process of the selection such as identification of clear objectives, identification of relevant articles, selection of data extraction and charting, analysis and the report was generated. The inclusion criteria for this article is related to molecular diagnostic methods to detect n-CoV and the relevant publications are also included. Articles citing the general information of CoV's were excluded. Among many methods suggested, RT-PCR is considered as the best method to detect the covid positivity. Detection of virus by RT-PCR in clinical specimens offers the best option of diagnosis in the early stages of the disease and its application also includes genotyping and mutation detection. Limitation of the RT-PCR method is its low sensitivity during the first few days of disease with much better sensitivity in later stages of the illness. This review highlights the suitable molecular detection methods for the n-CoV disease by analyzing their sensitivity and specificity together with the advantages and its limitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Oral leukoplakia is the most common potentially malignant disorder affecting the oral cavity. The purpose of this article is to provide a literature review of the treatment methods and management of oral leukoplakia and therapies that may be preferred. Materials and methods: The articles used in the present study were collected from search engines like core, semantic scholar, BASE, Mesh, ELSEVIER, PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane. The relevant articles were collected from the period of 2000 to 2020. It is a five-step process in the selection of articles - identification of clear objectives, identification of relevant articles, selection of data, data extraction, analysis and report about the management of different types of oral leukoplakia. Results and discussion: Specific surgical and non-surgical therapies have been reported, but there is currently no general consensus on the most suitable treatment and on the span or period of follow-up of patients with this disorder. Treatment for oral leukoplakia will begin with removing risk factors (if there are any) such as tobacco abuse, betel chewing, alcohol abuse, candida infection with superimposed lesions, etc. Conservative therapy includes the use of chemopreventive agents such as vitamins (vitamins A, C, E), fenretinide (analogous to vitamin A), carotenoids (beta-carotene, lycopene), bleomycin, protease inhibitors, anti-inflammatory medications, green tea, Curcuma, and so on. Conclusion: The main purpose of oral management of leukoplakia is to avoid malignant transformation or early detection of the lesion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oral cancer is the 6th most common cancer in the world. Oral cancer mostly involves the tongue floor of the mouth. The main cause's oral cancers are smoking, alcohol, and human papillomavirus. The more importantly specific hallmarks and features preferably include tongue, mouth, gums. Smoking and chewing tobacco with or without alcohol consumption, and human papillomavirus infections are considered as important etiological factors associated with oral cancer. The major complications in oral cancer patients due to chemo/radiotherapy include dry mouth, cavities, oral communications with sinuses, and difficulty in speaking, eating and drinking. Chemotherapy and radiation treatment moderate or stop the development of new cells. The most common oral complications related to chemo/radiotherapy are bisphosphonate osteonecrosis, dysgeusia, oral fungal and viral infections, osteoradionecrosis, trismus, oral pain, salivary gland and taste dysfunction, rampant dental caries and xerostomia in oral cancer patients. In severe oral toxicities cases, dose reduction or treatment schedule modifications if necessary, treatment should be discontinued. Assessment of oral status, pre-treatment interventions and timely management of lesions, patient education, and identification of high-risk populations before and after chemo/radiotherapy are necessary for the management of above oral complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lagerstroemia speciosa (L.) Pers., (Lythraceae) also called Banaba is a native plant of southeast Asia and is widely used in traditional medicinal system. Herbal tea from banaba leaves are used to reduce weight and diabetes. We investigated the cytotoxic potentials of ethanolic banaba leaves extract (EBLE) against human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cell line. Lagerstroemia speciosa leaves were extracted and obtained from M/s. Quimico Herbal Extract Manufacturer, Bengaluru, India, and it contains 20% corosolic acid. Cells were treated with 50, 100, and 150 µg/ml of EBLE for 24 h, and cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT assay. Apoptosis-related morphology was investigated by DAPI nuclear staining. Protein and gene expressions of p-Akt, FOXO1, p53, MDM2, p21, p27, CDK4, cyclin D1, and E1 were evaluated through Western blotting and qPCR. EBLE treatments caused significant, concentration-dependent cytotoxicity. DAPI staining and flow cytometry studies showed chromatin condensation, increased apoptotic cell population and cell cycle arrest at subG0/G1 phase upon EBLE treatments respectively. Furthermore, EBLE treatments significantly increased the expressions of p53, p21, p27, FOXO1, while p-Akt, MDM2, CDK4, cyclin D1, and E1 expressions were downregulated. These findings suggested that EBLE induces G1-phase of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in HepG2 cells. EBLE may serve as a therapeutic agent against hepatocellular carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental damage is without a doubt one of the most serious issues confronting society today. As dental professionals, we must recognize that some of the procedures and techniques we have been using may pose environmental risks. The usage and discharge of heavy metals from dental set-ups pollute the environment and pose a serious threat to the ecosystem. Due to the exclusive properties of nanosized particles, nanotechnology is a booming field that is being extensively studied for the remediation of pollutants. Given that the nanoparticles have a high surface area to volume ratio and significantly greater reactivity, they have been greatly considered for environmental remediation. This review aims at identifying the heavy metal sources and their environmental impact in dentistry and provides insights into the usage of nanoparticles in environmental remediation. Although the literature on various functions of inorganic nanoparticles in environmental remediation was reviewed, the research is still confined to laboratory set-ups and there is a need for more studies on the usage of nanoparticles in environmental remediation.

Objective: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the cytotoxic potentials of Evolvulus alsinoides in human hepatoma HepG2 cells. Materials and Methods: HepG2 cells were treated with methanolic extract of E. alsinoides at 20, 40 and 80 µg/ml for 24 hr and cytotoxic effect was analyzed by MTT assay. The apoptosis rate was investigated by Hoechst 33342 and annexin V/propidium iodide staining. Mitochondrial membrane potential was evaluated by rhodamine staining. Also, the expression of catenin – β 1 protein was analyzed by western blotting. Results: E. alsinoides methanolic extract treatment caused significant cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells in a concentration-dependent manner.Dual staining assayconfirmed the presence of early and late apoptotic cells only in extract-treated groups. Plant extract treatment also caused nuclear fragmentation and chromatin condensation in HepG2 cells. Mitochondrial membrane potential also reduced upon E. alsinoides treatments.This treatment also modulated the catenin – β 1 protein expression. Conclusion:In this study, we demonstrated theproapoptotic potential E. alsinoides in HepG2 cells; thus, this plant may be beneficial in the treatment of liver cancer.

The roots of Coleus vettiveroides (CV) have been traditionally used in Indian medicinal systems such as Ayurveda and Siddha for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic effects. This study examines the antifibrotic potential of CV ethanolic root extract (CVERE) against thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver fibrosis in Wistar rats. TAA was administered via i.p., thrice weekly for 11 weeks to induce liver fibrosis in rats. In separate groups, rats were administered with TAA and were concurrently treated with CVERE 125 mg/kg, CVERE 250 mg/kg, and silymarin (SIL) 100 mg/kg. Liver marker enzymes of hepatotoxicity, oxidative stress markers, proinflammatory marker gene expression (TNF-α, NF-κB, COX, and ILs), fibrotic marker gene expression (collagen I and III), immune histochemical expression of fibrosis marker proteins, and histopathologic changes were analyzed. TAA administration led to a significant (p < 0.001) increase in the serum level of hepatotoxic marker enzymes. The TAA-treated group showed higher levels (p < 0.001) of MDA and reduced activities of SOD and CAT in the liver. TAA administration increased CYP2E1 expression, proinflammatory, and fibrotic marker gene expressions in rat liver. The histopathology of the liver confirms TAA-induced architectural distortion and fibrotic changes. CVERE and SIL simultaneous treatments significantly protected against TAA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and liver fibrosis. In conclusion, CVERE inhibited TAA-induced liver fibrosis through downregulation of TAA metabolic activation, redox imbalance, and inflammation through repression of the NF-κB pathway., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Experimental animal models are crucial for elucidating the pathophysiology of liver injuries and for assessing new hepatoprotective agents. Drugs and chemicals such as acetaminophen, isoniazid, valproic acid, ethanol, carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 ), dimethylnitrosamine (DMN), and thioacetamide (TAA) are metabolized by the CYP2E1 enzyme, producing hepatotoxic metabolites that lead to both acute and chronic liver injuries. In experimental settings, acetaminophen (centrilobular necrosis), carbamazepine (centrilobular necrosis and inflammation), sodium valproate (necrosis, hydropic degeneration and mild inflammation), methotrexate (sinusoidal congestion and inflammation), and TAA (centrilobular necrosis and inflammation) are commonly used to induce various types of acute liver injuries. Repeated and intermittent low-dose administration of CCl 4 , TAA, and DMN activates quiescent hepatic stellate cells, transdifferentiating them into myofibroblasts, which results in abnormal extracellular matrix production and fibrosis induction, more rapidly with DMN and CCL 4 than TAA (DMN > CCl 4 > TAA). Regarding toxicity and mortality, CCl 4 is more toxic than DMN and TAA (CCl 4 > DMN > TAA). Models used to induce metabolic dysfunction-associated liver disease (MAFLD) vary, but MAFLD's multifactorial nature driven by factors like obesity, fatty liver, dyslipidaemia, type II diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease makes it challenging to replicate human metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis accurately. From an experimental point of view, the degree and pattern of liver injury are influenced by various factors, including the type of hepatotoxic agent, exposure duration, route of exposure, dosage, frequency of administration, and the animal model utilized. Therefore, there is a pressing need for standardized protocols and regulatory guidelines to streamline the selection of animal models in preclinical studies., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)