Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Research
Volume:6 Issue: 4, Dec 2020

Orthodontics is a part of dentistry that comprises preventive methods and correction of dental irregularities that need to be repositioned by functional and mechanical tools to provide an ideal occlusion and a beautiful face for patients. There are currently four metal archwires used in orthodontic treatment: stainless steel alloy, cobalt-chromium alloy, nickel-titanium alloy, and beta-titanium alloy. Toxic effects generally occur when the body’s tissues are exposed to sufficient amounts of metal ions for long periods.

The present study briefly reviews the requirements and hazards of toxic metals from orthodontic wires. 

This study is a review of the available reliable sources and reference documents and scientific-research articles published in the international journals and databases with the focus on the requirements and hazards of toxic metals from orthodontic wires.

Optimal characteristics of an archwire for optimal performance are spring return, ductility, modulus of elasticity, biocompatibility, and low friction. The release of metal ions from dental alloys is due to local and systematic chemicals, mutagenic, immunogenic, and toxic effects.

Today, most orthodontic brackets, braces, and archwires are made of stainless steel and nickel-titanium, all of which contain varying amounts of nickel, chromium, and cobalt ions. Increasing the amount of ions released from orthodontic alloys causes a cytotoxic state for the body. Although orthodontic alloys contain anti-corrosion agents, they are prone to corrosion in dynamic oral environments.

Consumption of anabolic steroids causes damage to various tissues, including the heart. 

This study aimed to investigate the effect of Resistance Training (RT) on Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Protein Carbonyl (PC) in the heart tissue of rats exposed to stanozolol (S).

In this experimental study, 18 rats with the mean age of 8 weeks and weight range of 150 to 200 g were selected and divided into three groups of 6 rats: 1. Sham (normal saline consumption) (Sh), 2. S, and 3. S+RT. For 8 weeks, the S and S+RT groups received 5 mg/kg/d S, and the S+RT group performed 5 RT sessions per week. Measurement of MDA and PC in the heart tissue was performed with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Stanozolol had a significant effect on increasing MAD (P=0.001) and PC (P=0.03) in the heart tissue. However, RT led to a decrease in MDA and PC in the heart tissue of rats exposed to S (P=0.001).

It appears that S consumption leads to an increase in MDA and PC levels in the heart tissue, while RT can improve the elevated levels of MDA and PC.

Quercetin is the most abundant flavonoid molecule, is widely distributed in the plant kingdom, and has a wide range of uses.

This study aimed to determine the LD50 of quercetin from onion (Allium cepa) skin (QOS) and its effect on the livers and kidneys of mice. 

This study consisted of two phases. In phase one, 9 mice BALB/c were divided into three groups of three mice each. The mice in each group received QOS at 10 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 1000 mg/kg, respectively, and were monitored for 24 h for any signs of toxicity or mortality. In phase two, three mice were divided into three groups of one mouse each. Each mouse received QOS at 1600 mg/kg, 2900 mg/kg, and 5000 mg/kg. The mice were observed for 24 h for any signs of toxicity or mortality. 

A significant increase was observed in serum albumin, total protein, and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels in mice that received 10 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 1000 mg/kg QOS. A significant decrease in serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), cholesterol, creatinine, urea, and the electrolyte was noticed in mice that received QOS at 10 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 1000 mg/kg when compared with the control group. The livers of mice that received 1600 mg/kg and 2900 mg/kg QOS showed hemorrhage and enlarged sinusoids along with a distortion of the renal tubule and aggregation of lymphocytes within the kidneys. 

The LD50 of QOS was 3807 mg/kg in mice. QOS above 1000 mg/kg led to a distortion of the hepatocytes and renal tubule with an increase in serum AST, ALT, and creatinine, suggesting that QOS could be toxic at 1000 mg/kg and above.

The transdermal delivery of insulin involving the use of polymers has been extensively reported. More recently, the use of mucoadhesive or bioadhesive polymers as an insulin base in its formulation is gaining attention possibly due to the penetration enhancing properties of the polymers.

This study aimed at determining the effect of acid-modified porcine mucin powder on the release and permeation of insulin in transdermal films.

Various batches of insulin films were prepared by solvent casting method using polysorbate 80 as an emulsifying agent and acid-treated and untreated mucin powders as a base. The films were evaluated for their physical properties, folding endurance, moisture content and uptake, drug content, bioadhesion, in vitro release, ex vivo permeation, and in vivo glucose-lowering activity.

The prepared insulin films had a weight range of 0.21-0.27 g, folding endurance of 101-103, moisture content and uptake of 13.73%-18.57% and 11.70%-22.30%, respectively, and drug content of 96%-101%. The bioadhesion of the films prepared with acid-treated mucin was within the range of 0.088-0.186 Nm-1 as against 0.055 Nm-1 of the films prepared with untreated mucin. The in vitro release profiles showed a release of 95% insulin from films prepared with untreated mucin within 2 h while the films made with acid-treated mucin gave a release of about 60%-73% over the same period, indicating a slower release. Animals that received acid-treated mucin-base insulin films showed delayed but sustained blood-glucose-lowering up to 70% and for films prepared with untreated mucin 55% within 12 h. 

Insulin transdermal films prepared with acid-modified mucin powder gave superior bioadhesive strength values. They also showed improved drug permeation enhancing ability and achieving up to 70% blood glucose lowering in diabetic rats.

Jatropha variegata Vahl is a well-known Yemeni medicinal shrub, used traditionally to treat wounds. 

To investigate the wound-healing and antibacterial properties of the J. variegata extract as a new gel formula. 

The leaves and stems of J.variegata were collected from Ibb Province, Yemen, and extracted by maceration in methanol. To ensure the quality and effectivity of the extract, physicochemical and biological investigations were conducted. Finally, the extract was prepared as a gel dosage form for bacterial and experimental animal studies. Twelve female Albino rats were divided into three groups: each rat was inflicted by three wounds. The first wound was treated thrice a day using the gel containing the J. variegata extract, the second was treated by a gel without the extract, and the third was control. The first, second, and third groups were treated for 5, 10, and 15 days, respectively, with follow-up of the wounds’ diameters. After treatment, the rats were anesthetized before analyzing the anatomy of the rats and the histological examination. 

The antibacterial activity of the extract was competent to the positive control against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli with a Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of 0.05%. Similarly, 100% of the wounds healed within 15 days when treated using the gel containing the J. variegata extract. While just 33% of the control group healed.

J. variegata exhibited high antibacterial activity against the targeted strains and remarkable wound healing activity when applied topically on the skin of rats in a gel dosage form. This finding proves an opening for further pharmacological, toxicological, and clinical studies.

Despite its various clinical applications, cyclophosphamide (CP), an alkylating chemotherapeutic agent, has demonstrated numerous side effects, including genetic toxicity.

This study investigated the protective action of Origanum vulgare L., a powerful antioxidant plant, on the genotoxicity of CP in the mice blood lymphocytes.

The mice were pre-treated orally with different doses of 50, 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg O. vulgare ethanolic extract once a day for 7 consecutive days. One hour after the final dose of O. vulgare, each animal received a single intraperitoneal administration of 200 mg/kg CP. After 24 hours, the preventive effect of O. vulgare was evaluated using an in vitro micronucleus (Mn) test in cytokinesis-blocked lymphocytes, which is a reliable genotoxicity test. All doses of O. vulgare caused significant reductions in the CP-induced Mn formation, which served as an indicator of DNA damage in the peripheral blood lymphocytes.

The total reduction of the Mn in binucleated lymphocytes were 67% and 75% for doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg of O. vulgare, respectively (P<0.001). The antioxidant plant demonstrated dose-dependent protective effects against CP-induced Mn formation and genotoxicity in the blood lymphocytes of the mice. O. vulgare can reduce the damage to DNA through its potent antioxidation activity and free radical scavenging properties.

Since it is widely used as a safe herbal medicine for many diseases, O. vulgare could be used to relieve the adverse effects of cyclophosphamide, especially against the genetic damages of normal cells in patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Orange peel essential oils were obtained using supercritical fluid extraction. This method is an important high scaling extraction method used for the extraction of plant and animal extracts.

The aim of this study was the optimization of the extraction of the orange peel essential oil.

The experimental parameters of Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE) such as temperature, pressure, and extraction time, and modifier volume were optimized using a central composite design after a 24-1 fractional factorial design. Orange peels were collected from ripe orange and were washed, air dried, and milled. Then, a Suprex MPS/225 system in the SFE mode with a maximal operating pressure of 395 bars was used for essential oil extraction. Moreover, GC-MS and GC-FID were used for the identification and determination of oil compounds, respectively.

Eight compounds have been identified based on their retention indices and mass spectra. According to the results, α-pinene, β-pinene, myrcene, d-limonene, terpinolene, C8-aldehyde, citronellol, and linalool were identified in orange peel essential oil. The optimum SFE conditions were obtained at a pressure of 347.07 atm, temperature of 55° C, extraction time of 30.16 min, and ethanol volume of 147.05 µL. Moreover, extraction yields based on SFE varied in the range of 0.04% to 1.18% (w/w). 

The Results showed supercritical fluid technology as the best alternative technique for the extraction of pure and high-quality essential oil from orange peel. It is a green method and does not have any environmental impact.