Asia Life Sciences

Abstract : This study was carried out to investigate the phytochemical screening, antioxidant activity, and anxiolytic-like effects of the ethanolic extract of Melissa officinalis L. (MO) (Family of Lamiaceae). The antioxidant activity of MO was determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis-3- ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) methods. The antioxidant activity and phytochemical screening were performed on the ethanol extract of MO and then was orally administered to rats at doses of (30, 300, and 500 mg/kg daily) during the experimental period of 10 days for behavioral tests by using the elevated plus maze (EPM), and biochemical studies. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, triterpenoid and tannins. The phenol concentration was (46.90 mg EAG/g DM), and flavonoids were found to be (15.06 mg EQ/g DM). DPPH radical scavenging assay showed potent antioxidant power with IC50 values of 15.44 µg/ml and ABTS (137.45 µg/ml). The sub-chronic administration of Melissa officinalis L. ethanol extract increased significantly the percentage of entries and the time spent on the open arms compared with a control group. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) were significantly reduced by MO ethanol extract. The present study reveals that Melissa officinalis L. can be used as a potential source of natural antioxidants to prevent oxidative stress, and suggests that it possesses anxiolytic-like effect.

Abstract :

The aim of this in vitro study was to assess the effect of whitening gels of 35% carbamide peroxide (CP) on severity of dental caries, in case a caries lesion develops in future. Twenty samples prepared using healthy permanent bovine teeth were assigned to each of the following groups: (1) no tooth whitening (control group), (2) 15 min of whitening (experimental group 1), (3) 30 min of whitening (experimental group 2), and (4) 60 min of whitening (experimental group 3). An over-the-counter whitening agent containing 35% CP, potassium nitrate, and 0.11% fluoride ion (Opalescence PF Min 35%, Ultradent products Inc., Germany) was used. Vickers hardness number (VHN) was obtained for tooth surface using a Vickers hardness tester, and fluorescence loss (∆F %) was examined using quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF). Differences in the means among the groups were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD post-hoc test. After whitening treatment, there were no statistically significant differences in VHN and ∆F between the control group and experimental groups (p > 0.05). Therefore, application of fluoride-containing 35% CP tooth whitening gel for a short duration of 60 min or less was found to have no impact on the severity of initial dental caries.