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Sample variation was high throughout the study, with a significant trend toward lower counts as the study progressed. Adding hydrogen peroxide to the chlorhexidine mouthrinse did not result in a further decrease in S. mutans levels.

The present study reproduces chronic post-ischemia pain (CPIP), a model of complex regional pain syndrome type I (CRPS-I), in rats to examine the possible transient and long-term anti-allodynic effect of mangiferin (MG); as well as its potential beneficial interactions with some standard analgesic drugs and sympathetic-mediated vasoconstriction and vasodilator agents during the earlier stage of the pathology. A single dose of MG (50 and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) decreased mechanical allodynia 72 h post-ischemia-reperfusion (I/R). MG 100 mg/kg, i.p. (pre- vs. post-drug) increased von Frey thresholds in a yohimbine and naloxone-sensitive manner. Sub-effective doses of morphine, amitriptyline, prazosin, clonidine and a NO donor, SIN-1, in the presence of MG were found to be significantly anti-allodynic. A long-term anti-allodynic effect at 7 and 13 days post-I/R after repeated oral doses of MG (50 and 100 mg/kg) was also observed. Further, MG decreased spinal and muscle interleukin-1β concentration and restored muscle redox status. These results indicate that MG has a transient and long-term anti-allodynic effect in CPIP rats that appears to be at least partially attributable to the opioid and α2 adrenergic receptors. Additionally, its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms could also be implicated in this effect. The association of MG with sub-effective doses of these drugs enhances the anti-allodynic effect; however, an isobolographic analysis should be performed to define a functional interaction between them. These findings suggest the possible clinical use of MG in the treatment of CRPS-I in both early sympathetically maintained pain and long-term sympathetically independent pain.

Context: Momordica charantia (Cucurbitaceae) is extensively distributed in tropical areas, and it is traditionally used as antidiabetic. Nevertheless, few studies supporting the metabolic effects of its foliage extracts have been reported elsewhere. Aims: To evaluate the effects of M. charantia foliage extract (MCh) on blood glucose and lipids levels in animal models of hyperglycemia. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties together with the acute toxicity and genotoxic effects were also assessed. Methods: An MCh powder was obtained by spray-drying techniques. The anti-hyperglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of MCh were evaluated in the glucose tolerance test and the alloxan-induced diabetes, respectively. The in vitro and ex vivo MCh antioxidant effects were assessed against the 2,2´-azinobis3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), peroxyl, and superoxide anion radicals. The MCh anti-inflammatory effects were also assessed together with its toxicological profile by means of the Acute Toxic Class Method, and the chromosome aberration assay. Results: MCh administered orally diminished the glucose and lipids levels in normoglycemic healthy rats and alloxan-induced hyperglycemic mice. Strong in vitro free radical scavenging effects was demonstrated by MCh against ABTS, peroxyl, and superoxide anion radicals. The extract also improved the free radical scavenging ability of diabetic mice serum. Moreover, MCh reduced the weight of cotton-induced granulomas in mice, the exudate volume, and its leukocyte counts in carrageenan-induced pleurisy in rats. Very low MCh toxicity was also verified. Conclusions: The hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities here observed make the spray-drayed powder from M. charantia foliage extract an interesting alternative for the correction of diabetes and its complications.

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