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The Effect of Using Frankincense (Boswellia sacra) Chewing Gum on the Microbial Contents of Buccal/Oral Cavity, Taif, KSA
... Essential oils have showed anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and immuno-stimulating activity. The gum resins have anti-inflammatory activity which is attributed to the resin's ability in regulating immune cytokines production and leukocyte infiltration (Patil et al., 2010;Sabra and Al-Masoudi, 2014). Hussain and his coworkers (2013) recorded the ability of olibanum oil to suppress the viability of bladder transitional carcinoma J82 cells and activate genes accountable for arresting cell cycle and apoptosis; but not in normal UROtsa cells. ...
... Resins fraction was reported to destroy microbial cell wall and stop protein synthesis. Water soluble gum has a sticky character which stops the reactions between substances (Sabra and Al-Masoudi, 2014). It also contains some oxidizing and digestive enzymes with bactericidal activity (Iram et al., 2017). ...
... By the acidic nature of its solution which is unfavorable for bacterial growth and proteins and enzymes functions (Al-Talib et al., 2016), alum acts on planktons and biofilms as flocculating agent, however, its activity is loosen on polymicrobial biofilm. By its multifunctional constituents of boswellic acids, phenolic acids, oxidizing and digestive enzymes, and the sticky nature of gum resins which affect cell wall, membrane, and multiplication (Sabra and Al-Masoudi, 2014;Al-Yasiry and Kiczorowska, 2016;Iram et al., 2017) olibanum is able to affect all bacterial groups either their planktons, biofilms formation and proceeds to fight mature biofilms. In combination, the action of these agents will cooperate to exert stronger action on the different lifestyles of polymicrobial population. ...
The current study was designed as the first one in Mosul City to isolate and
characterize the three species of red complex pathogens from the mixed
population of periodontal anaerobes and identify them by a new molecular
method as thirty samples of gingival fluid were obtained from periodontal
pockets with ≥ 4mm depth suffering from chronic periodontitis in patients
attending the Teaching Hospital- College of Dentistry at the University of
Mosul. Three types of media were prepared for culturing the samples on,
Schaedler Anaerobic Blood Agar; Tannerella forsythia (TF) Agar and Trypton
Yeast extracts Gelatin Volatile fatty acids and Serum (TYGVS) Agar. After 4-7
days of anaerobic incubation, colonies with different morphologies were picked
and are subcultured for routine purification and molecular diagnosis by the new
Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) technique. Confirmed
isolates by LAMP were more characterized by phenotypic features and their
mono- and polymicrobial biofilms were formed in a microtitter plate. The results
showed that the three pathogens of red complex were identified in the same
specimen and great variations in the phenotypic characters of the same isolate
were noticeable. The three pathogens were also able to form mono- and polybacterial
biofilms in a synergistic mode.
The current study also searched more rapid and easier methods for testing
the ability of two natural materials, olibanum and alum and two standard
antibacterial agents, Ciprofloxacin (CIP) and Chlorhexidine (CHX) to inhibit
many aspects in the pathogenicity of these periodontopathogens. The Minimal
Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of these four antibacterial agents was
determined and the manner of interaction between these four agents was studied.
The results showed that the easiest method was resazurin- based microdilution.
The four agents recorded different MIC values on the three types of bacteria and
the MICs of the aqueous crude extract of the two natural materials were higher
than that of the standard antibacterial agents. The four agents showed synergistic
inhibitory effect against the three types of red complex pathogens.
The study also investigated the efficacy of the natural materials to prevent
coaggregation between red complex pathogens and it is proved that 2- 12 mg/
ml concentrations prevented this phenomenon.
The effect of the four antibacterial agents on the mono- and polymicrobial
growth of red complex pathogens and biofilm formation was also estimated.
They inhibited the polymicrobial growth but with less significant than that on
the monomicrobial growth and interfered with the formation of homotypic
biofilms but their activity, except that of olibanum, reduced on polymicrobial
biofilms.
The study also utilized the fluorescent dyes of LIVE/ DEAD BackLight
Bacterial Viability kit to differentiate between live and dead bacteria after
treating the polymicrobial plankton and mature biofilm with the four
antibacterial agents. The results showed that exposure for one hour to all agents,
except CIP, was effective to loss cell viability but not effective against the
mature polymicrobial biofilm.
Another goal of this study was to design an experiment to make a polymer
of antibacterial agents using disk- like film of olibanum and investigate its
ability to liberate the antibacterial agents by agar diffusion method. The study
successfully made this film which maintained its ability to liberate the
antibacterial agents and form an inhibition zone.
For the first time locally, this study was successfully able to manufacture a
Medicated Chewing Gum (MCG) from olibanum and test its therapeutic activity
in several participants infected with chronic periodontitis. Bacterial inhibition
was followed by tracking the hydrolytic enzymes' level of periodontal pathogens
in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) using APIZYM system. The manufactured
olibanum- MCG proved its efficacy in reducing the bioburden of periodontal
pathogens in term of diminishing the levels of hydrolytic enzymes in the GCF in
participants chewing the medicated gum compared to the control group that
were only treated with mechanical cleaning of periodontal pocket.
... Medicinal components extracted from the frankincense plant (Boswellia spp.) have been documented to possess health benefits and pharmaceutical properties, such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antidiabetic, antioxidant, and other analgesic activities [9][10][11][12][13][14]. The active derivatives of the plant are the boswellic acids (BAs) found in the gum resin of Boswellia spp., which have pharmacologically active pentacyclic triterpene molecules, including 11-keto-β-BA (KBA) [10,13]. ...
... Medicinal components extracted from the frankincense plant (Boswellia spp.) have been documented to possess health benefits and pharmaceutical properties, such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antidiabetic, antioxidant, and other analgesic activities [9][10][11][12][13][14]. The active derivatives of the plant are the boswellic acids (BAs) found in the gum resin of Boswellia spp., which have pharmacologically active pentacyclic triterpene molecules, including 11-keto-β-BA (KBA) [10,13]. These active derivatives have been used to treat a number of inflammatory diseases, such as osteoarthritis, chronic colitis, bronchial asthma, pancreatic cells and tumors, human breast cancer cells [15], and hepatocellular carcinomas [16]. ...
Background and aim:
The literature is scant on the effect of 11-keto-β-boswellic acid (KBA) on the liver of diabetes-induced mice. This study was designed to develop a rapid, sensitive, accurate, and inexpensive detection technique for evaluating the solubility of KBA obtained from the gum resin of Omani frankincense (Boswellia sacra) in the liver of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) reflectance spectroscopy coupled with principal components analysis (PCA). It also aimed to investigate the effect of KBA on histological changes in the hepatocytes of diabetic mice.
Materials and methods:
Eighteen mice were assigned to the healthy control group, the diabetic control group, or the KBA-treated diabetic group. Liver tissue samples from all groups were scanned using an FTIR reflectance spectrophotometer in reflection mode. FTIR reflectance spectra were collected in the wavenumber range of 400-4000 cm-1 using an attenuated total reflectance apparatus.
Results:
FTIR reflectance spectra were analyzed using PCA. The PCA score plot, which is an exploratory multivariate data set, revealed complete segregation among the three groups' liver samples based on changes in the variation of wavenumber position in the FTIR reflectance spectra, which indicated a clear effect of KBA solubility on treatments. Histological analysis showed an improvement in the liver tissues, with normal structures of hepatocytes exhibiting mild vacuolation in their cytoplasm.
Conclusion:
KBA improved the morphology of liver tissues in the diabetic mice and led to complete recovery of the damage observed in the diabetic control group. FTIR reflectance spectroscopy coupled with PCA could be deployed as a rapid, low-cost, and non-destructive detection method for evaluating treatment effects in diseased liver tissue based on the solubility of KBA.
... By the acidic nature of its solution which is unfavorable for bacterial growth and proteins and enzymes functions [19], alum acted on planktons and biofilms as flocculating agent, but however, its activity was loosen on polymicrobial biofilms. By its multifunctional constituents of boswellic acids, phenolic acids, oxidizing and digestive enzymes, and the sticky nature of gum resins which affect cell's wall, membrane, and multiplication [20,21,22], olibanum was able to affect all bacterial groups either their planktons, biofilms formation and proceed to fight mature biofilms. In combination, the action of these reagents will cooperate to exert stronger action on the different lifestyles of polymicrobial populations. ...
The current study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of four regents; two naturals, olibanum and alum, and two standards, ciprofloxacin (CIP) and chlorhexidine (CHX) to affect the growth and biofilm of three types of periodontal pathogens, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, and Tannerella forsythia, "the red complex group". Clinical isolates of the red complex pathogens were isolated from chronic periodontitis. They were identified by phenotypic properties and molecular method. The inhibitory activity of the four reagents was tested by microdilution method. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) on the bacterial plankton and minimal biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC) on biofilm of the four reagents in a single and combinational use was determined on mono-and polymicrobial populations. Simple linear regression modeling was used to explore the effect of each reagent and determine MICs and MBICs. All reagents showed inhibition activity against the growth of mono-and polymicrobial planktonic population. MIC values on polymicrobial growth were higher than on monomicrobial growth and MBICs were much higher. All reagents had antibacterial activity on a monomicrobial biofilm with greater significant effect on T. denticola then T. forsythia and P. gingivalis. On polymicrobial biofilm, just olibanum continued showing its effect whilst CHX was less effect and both alum and CIP had no effect. Combinational use with Olibanum encouraged the effect of other regents on polymicrobial biofilm. This combination is a promising medicated preparation to combat the subgingival plaque of red complex pathogens.
... The frankincense chewing gum helped to decrease microbial colony forming units/mL by more than 94.0% through 5 h. This indicates that this gum can support mouth hygiene for all ages as a safe and low-cost herbal product (Sabra and Al-Masoudi, 2014). Local application of B. sacra FEO or its active constituents may provide a non-operative treatment alternative with no or limited side effects. ...
... salivarius, S. aureus, and B. megaterium. Water soluble gum has a sticky character which stops the reactions between substances [25]. Keto-ß-boswellic acid was reported to distort the cell membrane structure and disrupt the permeability barrier of microbial membrane structures. ...
Abstract
Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, and Tannerella forsythia can co- aggregate in a more stable and resistant multispecies biofilm. Therefore, the current study aimed to test the effectiveness of lubanum and potash alum solutions, as a natural rinse, to affect the attachment between the cells and the multispecies biofilm of these periodontitis pathogens, and also to enhance the action of the chemical rinse, BioFresh K (chlorhexidine (CHX)). The results revealed that the solutions of 12 mg/ ml of both natural substances can prevent bacterial co- aggregation, and the solutions of 40 mg/ ml of natural substances and 1.2 mg/ml of CHX can affect the cells in their polymicrobial population after 1hr exposure. The results also revealed that increasing the concentration of lubanum made it possible to affect the resistant preformed multispecies biofilm and the effect became more maxima when it was used in combination with other agents. This combination is benefit in controlling the chronic periodontitis caused by these pathogens as it can reinforce the effect of antibacterial agents on multispecies biofilm and prevent the attachment of new cells without the need of increasing the concentration or combination between chemical therapies.
... Following these observations but possibly independent of them, a clinical study by Samani et al. (35) showed that the antimicrobial effects of frankincense chewing gum on mouth flora, markedly reducing the microbial contents of the buccal/oral cavity in the mouth, the commonest sources of infection and gingivitis. These findings were confirmed by another and much larger clinical study by Sabra and Al-Masoudi (36) in which participants were administered .1 gram of frankincense solvent extract, .2 gram of powder or a placebo. ...
Two of the world’s most important and venerated essential oils are frankincense and myrrh, and these, together with gold, were the three famous gifts from the Magi to the infant Jesus, as written in Matthew 2:11. Frankincense aromatic resin has been used for centuries for ceremonial and religious purposes, in perfumes and incense as well as for medicinal purposes. The source of frankincense and its composition are discussed briefly together with its sociological importance over the centuries. Then the systemic and neurological health benefits attributed to frankincense are discussed in some detail. Finally, the mechanisms of action and the receptors that this essential oil activates to achieve its health benefits are reviewed.
... Boswellia serrata extract also exhibits antibacterial and anti-fungal activities [4]. Additionally, extracts from Boswellia species gum resins might possess anti-cancer activities, based on their anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activities in rat astrocytoma cell lines [5] and in human leukemia cell lines [6], as well as their anticarcinogenic activity in chemically induced mouse skin cancer models [7]. Clinically, extract from the resin reduces the peritumoral edema in glioblastoma patients and reverses multiple brain metastases in a breast cancer patient [8]. ...
Oil was extracted from Frankincense (Boswellia Sacra) by soxhelet extraction method and various bioactive compounds were identified using gas chromatography (GC).These compounds can be developed as active pharmacophore. The present study involves extraction and identification of bioactive compounds and their invitro study on the interaction these compounds to target proteins. Various biological databases like Pubchem, Protein Data Bank and softwares like Argus Lab, Rasmol were used to retrieve and analyse the structural and molecular interactions of bioactive compounds from Frankinsense oil with receptor proteins. Target protein structure were retrieved from Protein data bank ligand structures were downloaded from Pubchem which was visualized using Rasmol Software. Protein ligand interaction was studied using Argus Lab software by docking simulations and various docking poses were analysed. The energy values of docking conformations were analyzed for obtaining best docking pose & score.
... Boswellia serrata extract also exhibits anti-bacterial and antifungal activities (El-Nagerabi et al., 2013). Additionally, extracts from Boswellia species gum resins might possess anti-cancer activities, based on their anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activities in rat astrocytoma cell lines (Ni et al., 2012) and in human leukemia cell lines (Suhail et al., 2011), as well as their anti-carcinogenic activity in chemically induced mouse skin cancer models (Mostafa et al., 2014). Clinically, extract from the resin reduces the peritumoral edema in glioblastoma patients and reverses multiple brain metastases in a breast cancer patient (Siddiqui, 2011). ...
... Many investigators have suggested that AKBA could be a useful agent for developing an antibacterial agent against oral pathogens and it has the potential for use in mouthwash to prevent and treat oral infection (Raja 2011a, b;Patel and Patel 2014). However, Sabra and Al-Masoudi (2014) suggested that B. serrata chewing gum is a safe and low-cost herbal product, which supports mouth hygiene for all ages. It improves buccal/oral cavity hygiene by antimicrobial effects which decrease the sources of microbial infection in the buccal/oral cavity as tested by counting microbial contents of the buccal/oral cavity through microbial identification of saliva. ...
The most severe cases of COVID-19, and the highest rates of death, are among the elderly. There is an urgent need to search for an agent to treat the disease and control its progression. Boswelliaserrata is traditionally used to treat chronic inflammatory diseases of the lung. This review aims to highlight currently published research that has shown evidence of potential therapeutic effects of boswellic acids (BA) and B. serrata extract against COVID-19 and associated conditions. We reviewed the published information up to March 2021. Studies were collected through a search of online electronic databases (academic libraries such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Egyptian Knowledge Bank). Several recent studies reported that BAs and B. serrata extract are safe agents and have multiple beneficial activities in treating similar symptoms experienced by patients with COVID-19. Because of the low oral bioavailability and improvement of buccal/oral cavity hygiene, traditional use by chewing B. serrata gum may be more beneficial than oral use. It is the cheapest option for a lot of poorer people. The promising effect of B. serrata and BA can be attributed to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, cardioprotective, anti-platelet aggregation, antibacterial, antifungal, and broad antiviral activity. B. serrata and BA act by multiple mechanisms. The most common mechanism may be through direct interaction with IκB kinases and inhibiting nuclear factor-κB-regulated gene expression. However, the most recent mechanism proposed that BA not only inhibited the formation of classical 5-lipoxygenase products but also produced anti-inflammatory LOX-isoform-selective modulators. In conclusion a small to moderate dose B. serrata extract may be useful in the enhancing adaptive immune response in mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19. However, large doses of BA may be beneficial in suppressing uncontrolled activation of the innate immune response. More clinical results are required to determine with certainty whether there is sufficient evidence of the benefits against COVID-19.
Boswellia sacra Flueck. oleoresin extract (frankincense) has traditionally been used in the treatment of different diseases, but there are no sufficient studies on its potential activity against periodontal pathogens. Therefore, antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of frankincense extract against Porphyromonas gingivalis clinical isolates were studied. The phytochemical composition of the volatile components of the extract was identified by GC-MS analysis revealing 49 compounds as trans-nerolidyl formate, cycloartenol acetate, ursenoic acid 3-oxomethyl ester, bisabolene epoxide, and kaur-16-ene. It decreased the growth and increased the leakage of nucleotides in 58.3% and 33.3% of isolates, respectively. Additionally, it reduced the extracellular polysaccharide production and the cell surface hydrophobicity in 41.67% and 50% of the isolates, respectively. Crystal violet assay revealed inhibition of biofilm formation by the tested isolates. Light microscope and scanning electron microscope were used to examine the biofilms and they confirmed the reduction of biofilm formation by frankincense extract. Downregulation of the genes linked to biofilm formation (fimA, hagA, and hagB) was observed using qRT-PCR after treatment with the frankincense extract. This study suggested that the frankincense extract could exhibit antibacterial and antibiofilm activity against P. gingivalis isolates. Thus, the frankincense extract could be used as a treatment approach for periodontitis.
Boswellia sacra and Boswellia papyrifera belong to the family of Burseraceae. The daily and ritual use of Boswellia is characteristic cultural of the horn of Africa which transcends the ethical and religious memberships. Plants samples of Boswellia sacra and Boswellia papyrifera were collected in Djibouti. The essential oil and methanol extracts of each plant were collected. They were evaluated for its antimicrobial activity using disc diffusion and microdilution methods. The essential oil and methanol extract of Boswellia showed activity against bacterial species than against yeast.
BACKGROUND AND THE PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Extract of Boswellia Serrata species has been used in the Indian traditional medicine in the treatment of various inflammatory diseases. The present study was designed to evaluate anti-inflammatory effects of Frankincense in the treatment of gingivitis, which is a periodontal tissue inflammatory disease.
This double blind randomized placebo controlled trial was carried out among high school female students with moderate plaque-induced gingivitis. Based on either administration of 0.1 gram of Frankincense extract or 0.2 gram of its powder or placebo and whether the patients undergone scaling and root planning (SRP) or not, they were randomly assigned to 6 groups. The primary efficacy outcome was changes in Gingival Index (Loe & Sillness) and the secondary outcomes were alteration in plaque index (Sillness & Loe), bleeding index (Cowell) and probing pocket depth (WHO probe). All indices were measured in the 0, 7th and 14th days of the study.
Seventy five patients ranged of 15-18 years old were enrolled. At the end of the study, the indices in all groups showed significant decreases in comparison to the first day (p< 0.05), except for the bleeding index in the group without SRP and drug therapy (p=0.111). More precise analysis of data revealed that SRP in association with Frankincense application (either extract or powder) can lead to remarkable decrease in inflammatory indices in comparison to the groups without SRP and drug therapy (p<0.001). In addition, no significant difference was observed between powder or extract therapy (p >0.05) and between patients received either SRP or treatment alone (p=0.169).
Frankincense, a safe and low-cost herbal medicine, may be feasibly applied to improve inflammation based disease of gingival as an adjunct to the conventional mechanical therapy.
The chemical composition, antioxidant and anticholinesterase activity of three essential oils (EOs) obtained from the oleogum resin of three endemic Sqotraen Boswellia species, Boswellia socotrana Balf. f, Boswellia ameero Balf. f, and Boswellia elongata Balf. f were determined. GC-MS technique was used for the
analysis of the oils. Oils of B. socotrana and B. ameero were characterized by a high content of monoterpenes.The main constituens of B. socotrana and B. ameero were (E)-2,3-epoxycarene (51.8%), 1,5-isopropyl-2- methylbicyclo[3.1.0]hex-3-en-2-ol (31.3%), and a-cymene (7.1%); (3E,5E)-2,6-dimethyl-1,3,5,7-octatetraene
(34.9%), 1-(2,4-Dimethylphenyl)ethanol (20.3%), 3,4-dimethylstyrene (17.3%), a-campholenal (13.4%) and a- terpineol (12.4%) respectively. The composition of B. elongata oil was dominated by the diterpene verticiol (52.4%), the sesquiterpene caryophellene (39.1%) and methylcycloundecanecarboxylate (7.8%). The oils were
screened for their antioxidant activity by using the DPPH free radical scavenger assay and theiranticholinesterase activity on acetylcholinesterase enzyme by using in vitro Ellman method. The antioxidantactivity of EOs from B. socotrana (IC50 =121.4 μg/mL) appeared to be more potent than that of B. elongata (IC50=211.2 μg/mL) and B. ameero (IC50 =175.2 μg/mL). EO of B. socotrana showed the higher AChE inhibitory
activity with 59.3% at concentration of 200 μg/mL in comparison to EOs of B. elongata and B. ameero (29.6, 41.6 enzyme inhibition) respectively.
The chemical composition, antioxidant and anticholinesterase activity of three essential oils (EOs) obtained from the oleogum resin of three endemic Sqotraen Boswellia species, Boswellia socotrana Balf. f, Boswellia ameero Balf. f, and Boswellia elongata Balf. f were determined. GC-MS technique was used for the analysis of the oils. Oils of B. socotrana and B. ameero were characterized by a high content of monoterpenes. The main constituens of B. socotrana and B. ameero were (E)-2,3-epoxycarene (51.8%), 1,5-isopropyl-2-methylbicyclo[3.1.0]hex-3-en-2-ol (31.3%), and a -cymene (7.1%); (3E,5E)-2,6-dimethyl-1,3,5,7-octatetraene (34.9%), 1-(2,4-Dimethylphenyl)ethanol (20.3%), 3,4-dimethylstyrene (17.3%), a -campholenal (13.4%) and a -terpineol (12.4%) respectively. The composition of B. elongata oil was dominated by the diterpene verticiol (52.4%), the sesquiterpene caryophellene (39.1%) and methylcycloundecanecarboxylate (7.8%). The oils were screened for their antioxidant activity by using the DPPH free radical scavenger assay and their anticholinesterase activity on acetylcholinesterase enzyme by using in vitro Ellman method. The antioxidant activity of EOs from B. socotrana (IC 50 =121.4 µg/mL) appeared to be more potent than that of B. elongata (IC 50 =211.2 µg/mL) and B. ameero (IC 50 =175.2 µg/mL). EO of B. socotrana showed the higher AChE inhibitory activity with 59.3% at concentration of 200 μ g/mL in comparison to EOs of B. elongata and B. ameero (29.6, 41.6 enzyme inhibition) respectively.
The air-dried leaves of Boswellia dalzielli Hutch. on hydrodistillation gave an essential oil in a yield of 1.25 (v/w). The chemical composition of the essential oil was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Twenty-nine compounds were identified, with α-pinene (45.7%) and α-terpinene (11.5%) being the predominant compounds. The abundance of monoterpenoids in this oil is in accordance with previous findings for the oils of this genus.
Boswellin (BE), a methanol extract of the gum resin exudate of Boswellia serrata, contains naturally occurring triterpenoids, β-boswellic acid and its structural related derivatives, has been used as a traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammatory and arthritic diseases. Topical application of BE to the backs of mice markedly inhibited 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced increases in skin inflammation, epidermal proliferation, the number of epidermal cell layers, and tumor promotion in 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-initiated mice. Feeding 0.2% BE in the diet to CF-1 mice for 10–24 weeks reduced the accumulation of parametrial fat pad weight under the abdomen, and inhibited azoxymethane (AOM)-induced formation of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) by 46%. acid, 11-keto-β-boswellic acid or 3-O-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (Fig. 1) to human leukemia HL-60 cell culture inhibited DNA synthesis in HL-60 cells in a dose-dependent manner with IC50 values ranging from 0.6 to 7.1 μM. These results indicate that β-boswellic acid and its derivatives (the major constituents of Boswellin) have anti-carcinogenic, anti-tumor, and anti-hyperlipidemic activities.
To develop a digital method for counting colonies that highly replicates manual counting.
Breast cancer cells were treated with trastuzumab-conjugated gold nanoparticles in combination with X-ray irradiation, (111)In labeled trastuzumab, or γ-radiation, followed by clonogenic assays. Colonies were counted manually or digitally using ImageJ software with customized macros. Key parameters, intensity threshold and minimum colony size, were optimized based on three preliminary manual counts or blindly chosen. The correlation of digital and manual counting and inter- and intra-experimenter variability were examined by linear regression. Survival curves derived from digital and manual counts were compared by F-test (P < 0.05).
Using optimized parameters, digital counts corresponded linearly to manual counts with slope (S) and R(2) value close to 1 and a small y-intercept (y(0)): SK-BR-3 (S = 0.96 ± 0.02, R(2) = 0.969, y(0) = 5.9 ± 2.2), MCF-7/HER2-18 (S = 0.98 ± 0.03, R(2) = 0.952, y(0) = 0.74 ± 0.47), and MDA-MB-231 cells (S = 1.00 ± 0.02, R(2) = 0.995, y(0) = 3.3 ± 4.5). Both reproducibility and repeatability of digital counts were better than the manual method. Survival curves generated from digital and manual counts were not significantly different; P-values were 0.3646 for SK-BR-3 cells and 0.1818 for MCF-7/HER2-18 cells. Using blind parameters, survival curves generated by both methods showed some differences: P-values were 0.0897 for SK-BR-3 cells and 0.0024 for MCF-7/HER2-18 cells.
The colony counting using ImageJ and customized macros with optimized parameters was a reliable method for quantifying the number of colonies.
Isomers (alpha- and beta-) of boswellic acids (BAs), 11-keto-beta-BA and their acetyl derivatives were isolated from the gum resin of Boswellia serrata. BA and derivatives concentration dependently decreased the formation of leukotriene B4 from endogenous arachidonic acid in rat peritoneal neutrophils. Among the BAs, acetyl-11-keto-beta-BA induced the most pronounced inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) product formation with an IC50 of 1.5 microM. In contrast to the redox type 5-LO inhibitor nordihydroguaiaretic acid, BA in concentrations up to 400 microM did not impair the cyclooxygenase and 12-lipoxygenase in isolated human platelets and the peroxidation of arachidonic acid by Fe-ascorbate. The data strongly suggest that BAs are specific, nonreducing-type inhibitors of the 5-LO product formation either interacting directly with the 5-LO or blocking its translocation.
The human mouth providesa suitablehabitat for numerousbacterialgenera. Anaerobic genera or genera that include anaerobic members
found in the oral cavity are Actinomyces, Arachnia, Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium, Eubacterium, Fusobacterium, Lactobacillus, Leptotrichia, Peptococcus, Peptostreptococcus, Propionibacterium, Selenomonas, Treponema, and Veillonella. The incidence of anaerobes varieswith age of the individualand with specific sitessampled. In edentulous infants, the incidence
of anaerobes is relatively low. In adults, anaerobes are invariably present but are more prevalent in samples from the gingival
sulcusthan they are in samples from the gingival margin, tooth surfaces, buccal mucosa, tongue, or saliva. In samples from
the healthy gingival sulcus, anaerobic, gram-positive bacilli are found in the range of 5%–14%; gram-negative bacilli in the
range of l3%–29%; Veillonella in the range of 2%–8%; and gram-positive cocci in the range of 1%–15% of the cultivable flora. From marginal plaqueand plaque
from the tooth surface, gram-positive bacilli,gram-positive cocci,and Veillonella appear to be the predominant anaerobes. In saliva, Veillonella are the most numerous anaerobes.