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Phytotherapeutics is widely used nowadays as an alternative to the current antifungal drugs to reduce their side effects. Curcumin, with its wide therapeutic array as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, is one of the natural compounds that ha..s an antifungal effect, especially when being used at nanoscale to increase its bioavailability. Our research aimed to evaluate clinically and microbiologically the effect of using topical nanocurcumin suspension to treat oral candidiasis. After 4 days from induction of oral candidiasis (baseline), we randomly divided 39 female BALB/c mice into three groups of 13 animals; nanocurcumin, nystatin, and sham groups. All animals in nanocurcumin and nystatin groups received topical treatment twice daily for 10 days. Then, we performed clinical and microbiological evaluations at baseline, day 5, and day 10. By the end of treatment, our results revealed that nanocurcumin promoted a significant reduction in the number of candida colonies. There was no statistically significant difference neither clinically nor microbiologically between nanocurcumin and nystatin groups. In conclusion, nanocurcumin has a good antifungal effect as nystatin, however, its therapeutic efficacy takes a longer time to appear than nystatin. The enhanced bioavailability of curcumin at the nanoscale qualifies this nano-herb as a promising alternative therapy for oral candidiasis, evading nystatin-associated morbidity.

Our research aimed to investigate the effect of combining biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) alloplast with mineralized plasmatic matrix (MPM) as compared with platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) on the quality and quantity of bone formation and maturation at surgically created horizontal critical-sized ridge defects (HRDs) in a canine model. We used a split-mouth design using the third and fourth mandibular premolars of the mongrel dogs. Twelve defects on the left side (experimental group, I) were managed with MPM composite mixed with BCP alloplast, MPM compact layer. On the right side (control group, II), another 12 defects were managed with PRF mixed with BCP alloplast, followed by the application of PRF compact strips. Finally, both were covered by a collagen membrane. Dogs were euthanized at 4, 8, and 12 weeks, and the studied defects were processed to evaluate treatment outcome, including mean percentage of bone surface area, collagen percentage, and osteopontin (OPN) immunoreaction. Our results revealed that the mean percentage of bone surface area was significantly increased in the experimental group treated with MPM at all time intervals as compared with the PRF group. Decreased collagen percentage and increased OPN immunoreactivity showed significant results in the MPM group as compared with PRF at 4 and 8 weeks postoperatively, respectively. In conclusion, MPM accelerates the formation of superior new bone quality when used in the treatment of HRDs.

INTRODUCTION:The use of platelet concentrates remains controversial. Several techniques for platelet concentrates are available and each method leads to a different product with different biology and potential uses. Platelet rich fibrin (PRF) is an autologous biomaterial composed of a fibrin clot matrix entrapping leukocytes, cytokines, living progenitor cells, and platelets capable of releasing various growth factors. One of the recent platelet concentrates is the mineralized plasmatic matrix (MPM) which has a different way of preparation. It creates a stable homogeneous single-moldable compound. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this experimental study was to compare the effect of PRF to MPM when combined with biphasic calcium phosphate alloplast in treating horizontal critical sized ridge defects in a canine model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A split mouth design was carried out using the third and fourth mandibular premolars of two healthy mongrel dogs. A total of eight horizontal critical sized ridge defects were surgically created. The defects on the left side (group I); were managed with MPM composite, MPM compact layer, then collagen membrane. On the right side (group II); defects were managed with PRF mixed with biphasic calcium phosphate alloplast followed by the application of PRF compact strips, then collagen membrane. The dogs were sacrificed after 4 weeks. Samples were dissected and prepared for histological evaluation. RESULTS: Histological results showed that quality of bone formed in MPM group was superior to PRF. This was evident with the formation of well-organized compact bone in MPM specimens versus immature woven trabecular bone in PRF ones. CONCLUSIONS:The fibrin network that is produced in the MPM composite allows for its homogeneity. This offers a very good stability for the graft which was found to be more effective in enhancing wound healing during guided bone regeneration of horizontal ridge defects.

INTRODUCTION:Oral candidiasis is the most common human fungal infection resulting from infection of the oral cavity by yeastlike fungus, candida. Its treatment by available topical or systemic antifungal drugs has several problems including toxicity and the development of drug resistance. Hence recent studies have given much attention to molecules from natural sources. Therefore, curcumin is considered one of the promising natural antifungal drugs. It has antifungal properties, but its poor solubility in aqueous solvents results in poor oral bioavailability. To improve the properties of curcumin, recent trails used nanotechnology. The size of nanoparticles can help them to gain entry into cells increasing its solubility and improving its bioavailability. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the use of topical application of nanocurcumin in treatment of oral candidiasis and compare it to curcumin and nystatin in a murine model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-nine female mice were randomly divided into three groups of 13 animals each after induction of oral candidiasis. Group 1 received nanocurcumin at 64 µg/ml. Group 2 received curcumin at 128 µg/ml. Group 3 received nystatin 100000 U/ml. All animals were received treatment topically twice daily for 10 days. The clinical evaluation and microbiological analysis were at baseline, day 5 and day 10. RESULTS: There was no statistical differences between the three studied groups in the number of cured animals at the end of the treatment period (p=0.358). CONCLUSION: Nanocurcumin has a good antifungal effect but further research is needed to get the maximum benefits of these nanoparticles.