Reconstruction of jaw bone defects present a significant problem because of specific aesthetic and functional requirements. Although widely used, the transplantation of standard autograft and allograft materials is still associated with significant constraints. Composite scaffolds, combining advantages of biodegradable polymers with bioceramics, have potential to overcome limitations of standard grafts. Polyethyleneimine could be an interesting novel biocompatible polymer for scaffold construction due to its biocompatibility and chemical structure. To date, there have been no in vivo studies assessing biological properties of hydroxyapatite bioceramics scaffold modified with polyethyleneimine. The aim of this study was to evaluate in vivo effects of composite scaffolds of hydroxyapatite ceramics and poly(lactide-co-glycolide) and novel polyethyleneimine on bone repair in swine’s mandibular defects, and to compare them to conventional bone allograft (BioOss). Scaffolds were prepared using the method of polymer foam template in three steps. Pigs, 3 months old, were used and defects were made in the canine, premolar, and molar area of their mandibles. Four months following the surgical procedure, the bone was analyzed using radiological, histological, and gene expression techniques. Hydroxyapatite ceramics/polyethyleneimine composite scaffold demonstrated improved biological behavior compared to conventional allograft in treatment of swine’s mandibular defects, in terms of bone density and bone tissue histological characteristics.

Although oral ulcers represent one of the most frequent oral mucosal diseases, the available treatment is not sufficient to provide complete ulcer recovery without side-effects. Therefore, the aim of our study was to prepare a mucoadhesive oral gel based on Galium verum ethanol extract (GVL gel) and reveal its healing effects in the model of aphthous stomatitis in rats. Rats with oral ulcers were divided into the following groups: control (untreated), gel base (ulcer was treated with the gel base, three times per day for 10 days), and GVL gel group (the ulcer was treated with GVL gel in the same way as the gel base). Animals from each group were sacrificed on days 0, 3, 6, and 10 for collecting blood and ulcer tissue samples. Healing properties of oral gel were determined by clinical evaluation, as well as biochemical and histopathological examinations. Our findings suggest a significant decrease in the ulcer size in GVL gel group, with healing effects achieved through the alleviation of oxidative stress, reduction in COX-2 immunopositivity, and increase in collagen content in buccal tissue. Significant ulcer repairing potential of GVL gel highlights this oral mucoadhesive gel as a promising tool for prevention and treatment of RAS.

The beneficial effects of HBO in inflammatory processes make it an attractive type of treatment for chronic arthritis. In addition, the effects of combination therapy based on adipose stem cells and HBO on OA progression have not been fully investigated. The current study explored the efficacy of intra-articular injection of allogeneic adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) combined with hyperbaric oxygenation treatment (HBO) in a rat osteoarthritis (OA) model. The rat OA model was induced by intra-articular injection of monoiodoacetate (MIA) and 7 days after application of MIA rats were divided into five groups: healthy control (CTRL), osteoarthritis (OA), ADMSCs (ADS), the HBO+ADS^21day and HBO+ADS^28day groups. A single dose of 1 × 10⁶ allogeneic ADMSCs suspended in sterile saline was injected into the knee joint alone or in combination with HBO treatment. Rats were sacrificed at 3 or 4 weeks after MIA injection. Treatment outcomes were evaluated by radiographic, morphological and histological analysis and by specific staining of articular cartilage. We also measured the level of inflammatory and pro/antioxidative markers. We confirmed that combined treatment of ADMSCs and HBO significantly improved the regeneration of cartilage in the knee joint. Rtg score of knee joint damage was significantly decreased in the HBO+ADS^21day and HBO+ADS^28day groups compared to the OA. However, the positive effect in the HBO+ADS^28day group was greater than the HBO+ADS^21day group. The articular cartilage was relatively normal in the HBO+ADS^28day group, but moderate degeneration was observed in the HBO+ADS^21day compared to the OA group. These findings are in line with the histopathological results. A significantly lower level of O₂⁻. was observed in the HBO+ADS^28day group but a higher NO level compared to the HBO+ADS^21day group. Moreover, in the HBO+ADS^28day group significantly higher concentrations of IL-10 were observed but there was no significant difference in proinflammatory cytokine in serum samples. These results indicate that a single intra-articular injection of allogeneic ADMSCs combined with HBO efficiently attenuated OA progression after 28 days with greater therapeutic effect compared to alone ADMSCs or after 3 weeks of combined treatment. Combined treatment might be an effective treatment for OA in humans.

Background/Objectives: Encouraged by the traditional use of Cotinus coggygria Scop. (European smoketree) for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and considering the limitations of current therapies for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), we aimed to develop and evaluate a mucoadhesive oral gel containing C. coggygria stem bark extract. Methods: A thermosensitive gel was formulated using Carbopol^® 974P NF and poloxamer 407, enriched with 5% C. coggygria extract (CC gel), and characterized for its organoleptic properties, pH, electrical conductivity, and storage stability over six months. Therapeutic efficacy was assessed in a Wistar albino rat model of chemically induced oral ulcers. Animals were divided into three groups: untreated controls (CTRL), rats treated with gel base (GB), and those treated with CC gel over a 10-day period. Healing progression was monitored macroscopically (ulcer size reduction), biochemically (oxidative stress markers in plasma and tissue), and histologically. Results: The CC gel demonstrated satisfactory physicochemical stability and mucosal compatibility. Moreover, it significantly accelerated ulcer contraction and achieved complete re-epithelialization by day 6. Biochemical analyses revealed reduced TBARS and increased SOD, CAT, and GSH levels in ulcer tissue, indicating enhanced local antioxidant defense. Histological evaluation confirmed early resolution of inflammation, pronounced fibroblast activity, capillary proliferation, and full epithelial regeneration in the CC group, in contrast to delayed healing and persistent inflammatory infiltration in the GB and CTRL groups. Conclusions: These findings indicate that the CC gel has potential as a natural, topical formulation with antioxidant and regenerative properties for RAS, although further studies, including clinical evaluation, are required to confirm its overall efficacy and long-term safety.

Background/Objectives: Recent advancements in biomaterials aimed at closely mimicking natural biological tissues hold great promise for hard tissue regeneration and controlled drug release due to their superior physical, chemical, and biological properties. This study aimed to develop multi-ion doped calcium hydroxyapatite (HAp) scaffolds with chitosan-based coatings for localized drug delivery, incorporating a novel hydrazone compound with potential anticancer activity. Methods: HAp powders doped with magnesium (Mg²⁺), strontium (Sr²⁺), and varying fluoride (F⁻) contents (0–2 mol.%) were synthesized via a hydrothermal method. Scaffolds were fabricated using the sponge replica technique and subsequently coated with chitosan or a chitosan–hydrazone blend. Dopant incorporation was confirmed by electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Phase composition and morphology were analyzed via X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Mechanical properties, bioactivity, cytotoxicity, and hydrazone release profiles were systematically evaluated. Results: EDS confirmed successful incorporation of Mg²⁺ and Sr²⁺ in all powders, while F⁻ was detected only in powders with 1 and 2 mol.% fluoride. XRD and SEM revealed the phase composition and scaffold microstructure. Chitosan coatings significantly improved scaffold compressive strength and reduced degradation rate, indicating enhanced stability in biological environments. The coated scaffolds supported MRC-5 fibroblast viability. The hydrazone compound exhibited dose-dependent antitumor cytotoxicity comparable to cisplatin and showed sustained release from scaffolds for up to 15 days. Conclusions: The combination of multi-ion doped HAp scaffolds and chitosan–hydrazone coatings provides a promising platform for bone tissue engineering and localized cancer therapy, demonstrating both mechanical stability and controlled, sustained drug release.

This study investigates the pH values and optical characteristics of Dual Rinse HEDP, either independently or combined with sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), and compares them to other irrigants used in endodontics. The solutions used in this study were commercially acquired and prepared, followed by pH measurements using a pH meter and spectral analysis using UV/Vis spectrophotometry in specified wavelengths of the ultraviolet (UV) C (190–280 nm), UVB (281–315 nm), UVA (316–400 nm), visible light (VL) (401–780 nm), and near-infrared (NIR) spectra (781–1100 nm). The pH analysis revealed alkaline values for NaOCl, EDTA, Dual Rinse HEDP, and the HEDP + NaOCl combination, an acidic value for citric acid, and nearly neutral values for chlorhexidine and distilled water. Spectral analysis revealed the notable absorption characteristics of endodontic irrigants. In the UV range, all solutions exhibited higher absorption values to water (p < 0.05), with Dual Rinse HEDP resembling EDTA and citric acid, and HEDP + NaOCl resembling NaOCl. The NIR region highlights absorption peaks around 975 nm for all solutions, including NaOCl and Dual Rinse HEDP + NaOCl, suggesting potential applications in laser-activated irrigation. This study provides comprehensive insights into the pH and optical features of endodontic irrigants, emphasizing their potential roles in enhancing disinfection strategies and optimizing laser-activated irrigation protocols.