Periodontitis (P) is a highly prevalent inflammatory disease of the oral cavity. The objective of the study was to evaluate the stages of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β in initial, moderate and severe periodontitis. One hundred and twenty two patients were included in the study. Periodontitis subjects had at least 20 natural teeth and ≥8 sites with pocket depths of >4 mm and clinical attachment loss (CAL). A questionnaire was used with respect to the socio demographic parameters which included age, gender, ethnicity, education, marital, residence and occupation. To categorize the severity of the disease, teeth were assessed for, Plaque index (PI), Bleeding on probing (BOP), CAL, missing tooth, tooth mobility and bone loss. Unstimulated whole saliva (UWS) was collected and Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) cytokine levels were analyzed using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay with microplate reader at 450 nm. Clinical parameters and salivary cytokine concentrations were assessed using one-way analysis of variance, whereas a correlation of cases with gender and severity of periodontitis was evaluated using chi-square test. Fifty-nine patients were healthy controls and 63 were periodontitis patients Thirty two percent (n = 20) had initial periodontitis, 40% (n = 25) suffered from moderate and 29% (n = 18) had severe periodontitis. Periodontitis subgroups were significantly different with regards to age and gender (p < 0.001). The mean PPD and CAL among the periodontitis patients (PPD, 3.52 ± 1.25 mm; CAL, 4.04 ± 1.64 mm) were significantly compromised (p < 0.05) compared to healthy controls (PPD, 1.52 ± 0.73 mm; CAL, 0.08 ± 0.28 mm). Increased levels of IL-1β were associated with high CAL and PPD findings. UWS IL-1β levels were higher in periodontitis patients compared to healthy individuals. In addition, cases of severe periodontitis showed significantly higher UWS IL-1β levels compared to initial and moderate periodontitis patients. Comparative levels of salivary IL-1β can be potentially used as a diagnostic tool for periodontitis identification and disease progression along with clinical parameters.

Background: Toll like receptors (TLR) 2 and 4 present on innate immune cells of the dental pulp detect cariogenic bacteria. Along with bacteria, C. albicans may also be present in dental caries. The presence of C. albicans can be detected by Dectin-1 a C type Lectin receptor. Expression of Dectin-1 in human pulpits has not been reported. Similarly, cytokines are released as a consequence of dental pulp inflammation caused by cariogenic bacteria. The T helper (Th) 1 inflammatory response leads to exacerbation of inflammation and its relationship with Osteopontin (OPN) is not known in pulp inflammation. Objective: The aim of this study was to observe the expression of Dectin-1, TLR-2, OPN and pro-inflammatory cytokines in irreversibly inflamed human dental pulp and to observe relationship between Dectin-1/TLR-2 and OPN/Pro-inflammatory cytokines in the presence of appropriate controls. Methods: A total of 28 subjects diagnosed with irreversible pulpitis were included in this ex-vivo study. Fifteen samples were subjected to standard hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) and immunohistochemistry staining. Whereas, gene expression analysis was performed on 13 samples to observe mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines; tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1 beta (ß), IL-6 Dectin-1, OPN, TLR-2 and TLR-4. SPSS version 21 was used for statistical analysis. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson correlation and Chi-square test were used at p ≤ 0.05. Results: Gene expressions of Dectin-1, TLR-2 and TLR-4 were observed in all samples. Dectin-1 and TLR-2 expressions were significantly correlated (r = 0.5587, p = 0.0002). Similarly, OPN and TNF-α expression showed a significant correlation (r = 0.5860, p = 0001). The agreement between histologic and clinical diagnosis was 69.2% in the cases of irreversible pulpitis. Conclusion: Dectin-1 was expressed by inflamed human dental pulp. Dectin-1 and TLR-2 expression pattern was suggestive of a collaborative receptor response in inflamed pulp environment. OPN and TNF-α expressions showed a positive correlation indicating a possible relationship.

Digas colic drops (DCD-684) is a polyherbal formulation containing decoctions of five medicinal plants namely Carum carvi L., Foeniculum vulgare Mill, Mentha arvensis L., Mentha piperita L. and Zingiber officinale Roscoe. These plants have been extensively used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various gastrointestinal diseases including abdominal colic. This study was conducted to determine the spasmolytic effect of DCD-684 (100% v/v) and its individual plant components on isolated rabbit jejunum (in vitro) and their possible mechanism of action. The effects were evaluated on spontaneous and pre-contracted tissues using KCl (80mM) and other contractile agonists including acetylcholine (0.3 mu M), carbamylcholine (0.3 mu M), serotonin (10 mu M) and histamine (100 mu M) in the presence and absence of DCD-684. The various concentrations of DCD-684 (0.1-3% v/v) demonstrated spasmolytic effects on both spontaneous (IC50=0.75%) and KCl-induced contractions (IC50=1.6%), respectively. It also inhibited the contractions induced by acetylcholine (IC50=0.45%), carbamylcholine (IC50=0.95%), serotonin (IC50=0.95%) and histamine (IC50=0.87%). The DCD-684 exhibited synergistic effect due to its five plant components suggesting that spasmolytic cascade is probably governed by muscarinic and/or nicotinic receptors, serotonergic histaminergic, as well as calcium channel blocking mechanisms. Thereby, providing the pharmacological basis of its therapeutic use in the gastrointestinal motility disorders and related inflammatory ailments.