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Objectives: Various antibacterial and antiplaque agents are used in chemical plaque control but none are without their shortcomings. Chlorhexidine considered a gold standard, also has an array of side effects. To overcome these, numerous herbal extracts have been tried and tested and one among them is holy basil. The present study evaluated the antibacterial efficacy of holy basil in vitro against some periodontopathogens and its antiplaque effect in vivo. Study Design: Thirty periodontally healthy volunteers were randomly divided into three groups and refrained from all mechanical oral hygiene measures for 4 days and used one of the randomly assigned mouthwash (1- chlorhexidine; 2- holy basil; and 3- sterile water [placebo]) twice daily. The Plaque Index (PI) was assessed at days 0 and 5. Aqueous extract of holy basil was tested against Prevotella intermedia (P. intermedia) and Fusobacterium nucleatum (F.nucleatum). Results: Holy basil extract showed inhibition of both the tested periodontopathogens (P.intermedia and F.nucleatum) at various concentrations. In all groups, the PI increased from baseline to day 5. There was a statistically significant difference (p < .05) between the chlorhexidine and placebo rinse and the holy basil and placebo rinse, but no statistically significant difference was found between the chlorhexidine and holy basil rinse with respect to PI. Conclusions: These results indicate that the holy basil mouthwash has an antiplaque effect and is efficacious against P. intermedia and F. nucleatum strains in vitro. Hence holy basil mouthwash may have potential as an antiplaque mouthwash with prophylactic benefits. Key words:Antibacterial agent, basil, Fusobacterium nucleatum, mouthwashes, Prevotella intermedia.

Background: Angiogenesis in the physiological status, balance is maintained between the pro-and anti-angiogenic factors and it is required for a tumor to grow beyond 1-2 mm in diameter. In central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) and peripheral giant cell granuloma (PGCG) the origin of giant cells, clinicopathological features overlap, but still there is a difference in the biological behavior. We aimed to assess the possible role of angiogenesis and presence of macrophages by the expression of CD34 and CD68 respectively. Materials and Methods: Eighty cases each consisting of each forty CGCG and PGCG were evaluated clinically and immunohistochemically using CD34 and CD 68. Microvessel density (MVD) was expressed as the mean of blood vessels and macrophages in four high-power-fields. Statistical analysis was performed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U-tests. Results:The peak incidence of 21-30 years and 31-40 years was seen in CGCG's and PGCG's respectively with a statistical significant difference. Both groups showed female predominance with posterior mandible and maxilla being the common site. Number of mononuclear cells was more in the CGCG than PGCG with an ovoid morphology. CD34 positive microvessels and macrophages were more in CGCG compared to PGCG with statistically significant difference. Conclusion: Clinicopathological features were similar to the previous studies. Statistically significant difference was evident in the MVD and macrophages in CGCG and PGCG. This new data about the microvessel count in the CGCG and PGCG adds to the literature. Importance of angiogenesis can add insight to the clinical behavior and also in understanding its histogenesis.

Background According to Warburg’s effect, the rate of glycolysis increases in cancerous cells. This will increase overall levels of pyruvic acid. The present on-going study was conducted to estimate the levels of pyruvic acid in saliva and serum in normal, oral PMD subjects. Material and Methods A total of 50 subjects in healthy, PMD of the oral cavity individuals were selected based on clinical and histological criteria. Collected saliva and serum samples were subjected to pyruvic acid level estimation using biochemical analysis. Results Of the 50 participants 25 (13: Males; 12: Females) & 25 (16: Males; 9: Females) were PMD group. Independent samples t test showed statistically significant difference in serum & salivary pyruvic acid level in between 2 groups (p < 0.001 respectively). Conclusions Estimation of pyruvic acid showed sequential increase in the level in PMD group compared to healthy. Hence the study results open new direction in cancer screening. Key words:Pyruvic acid, glycolysis, warburg’s effect.

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