The fastest technique to remove gutta-percha and the shortest time to reach working length was observed with ProTaper retreatment instruments with xylene followed by ProTaper retreatment files without xylene and Hedstrom files without xylene. After instrumentation for removal of gutta-percha, apical third was found to have more debris compared to coronal and middle 1/3 of the root canal.

Objective:To establish the pharmacognostic standards for the correct identification and standardization of an important Antidiabetic plant described in Ayurveda.Materials and Methods:Standardization was carried out on the leaf and stem of Basella alba L. with the help of the macro-morphological, microscopic, physicochemical and qualitative phytochemical studies.Results:Several specific characters were identified viz. clustered calcium oxalate crystals in the cortex region, absence of trichomes, succulent, thick, mucilaginous, fibrous stem. Rubiaceous type of stomata on both sides of the leaf. Quantitative microscopy along with physicochemical and qualitative phytochemical analysis were also established.Conclusion:The pharmacognostic standards could serve as the reference for the proper identification of the Basella alba L. which is an important anti-diabetic plant described in Ayurveda.

No abstract

Aim: To evaluate and compare the efficacy of Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid (EDTA) and Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Nd:YAG) laser in removing smear layer on root canal dentin after rotary instrumentation. Materials and methods:Sixty extracted maxillary incisor teeth were taken, decoronated and standardized to working length of 14 mm from the apex. All the canals were prepared with NiTi rotary files, rinsed with 1% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and divided into three groups. Group 1 constituted the negative control and was rinsed with saline, group 2 with EDTA and group 3 was exposed to Nd:YAG radiation. The specimens were split longitudinally into two halves and examined under SEM with 1,000× magnification at levels of 2 and 6 mm from apical foramen. Photomicrographs were evaluated by the Hulsmann scoring system and results were tabulated. Scores 1 and 2 were grouped as clean walls and scores 3, 4 and 5 were grouped as smear layer present.Results: Group 1 showed inefficiency in removing smear layer with only 15% clean walls in middle one-third and no clean walls in apical one-third. Group 2 (NaOCl + EDTA) showed 55% clean walls in middle one-third while 15% clean walls in apical onethird while group 3 showed 70% effectiveness in middle onethird and only 15% effectiveness in apical one-third.Conclusion: EDTA and Nd:YAG were found more efficient in smear layer removal than saline. Results of EDTA and Nd:YAG were comparable in apical one-third while Nd:YAG was found to be more efficient than EDTA in middle one-third.

Introduction: Terminalia arjuna (Roxb. ex DC.) Wight & Arn., known as Arjuna, is an important medicinal plant used in Ayurvedic and traditional systems of medicine. This plant is being used to cure various ailments in India for several years. According to Pushpaayurvedah written by Priya Vrat Sharma, Arjuna flowers are used as one of the chief ingredient in some Ayurvedic formulations, which are used for preventing of baldness and graying of hairs, i.e., Mahanila taila, Nilabindu taila, kasmaryadi taila, Ketakyadi taila. It is also useful in Helminthiasis (Krimiroga), raktapitta (internal hemorrhage), and for some poisons. Though many therapeutics uses have been prescribed in Ayurveda for Arjuna flowers in addition to the other parts, no work has been carried out on flower part. Hence, the present study has been attempted for the first time. Physicochemical analysis, such as loss on drying, total ash, acid-insoluble ash, and different extractive values and preliminary phytochemical screening for various groups of secondary metabolites has been carried out as per standard protocols. Aim: The present study was carried out to establish pharmacognostical standards and important identification/diagnostic characteristics for identification of Terminalia arjuna flowers. Materials and methods: Flower material was collected from its natural habitat in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, and authenticated by subject expert, Regional Ayurveda Research Institute for Metabolic Disorders, Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India. The flowers were shade dried, powdered, and used for tests. The macro-, microscopical, physicochemical, and preliminary phytochemical studies have been carried out by adopting standard methods. Results: The microscopic characteristics of the flowers showed the presence of abundant combretaceous-type trichomes, rosette and clustered type of calcium oxalate crystals, reddish orange tannin content, resin ducts, endothecium cells, and abundant rounded pollen grains in three colporate and in monads.