RP-HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS Qualitative Profiling, Antioxidant, Anti-Enzymatic, Anti-Inflammatory and Non-Cytotoxic Properties of Ephedra alata Monjauzeana

An investigation was conducted to study the beneficial effects of Ephedra alata monjauzeana crude extract (EamCE). The chemical profile was determined using RP-HPLC–ESI-QTOF-MS analysis, revealing the presence of twenty-one flavonoids and phenolic acids. A series of antioxidant assays was carried out using ten different methods. The EamCE has demonstrated a significant antioxidant potential, with interesting IC50 values not exceeding 40 µg/mL in almost activities. Likewise, a significant inhibition of key enzymes, involved in some health issues, such as Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, hyperpigmentation, dermatological disorders, gastric/urinary bacterial infections, and obesity, was observed for the first time. The IC50 values ranged from 22.46 to 54.93. The anti-inflammatory and non-cytotoxic activities were assessed by heat-induced hemolysis and cell culture methods, respectively; the EamCE has shown a prominent effect in both tests, notably for the anti-inflammatory effect that was superior to the reference compound “diclofenac” (IC50: 71.03 ± 1.38 > 70.23 ± 0.99 (µg/mL)). According to these results, this plant could be used in a large spectrum as a food supplement, as a natural remedy for various physiological disorders and pathologies; and it might serve as a preventive and health care agent.

Development of a novel denture care agent with highly active enzyme, arazyme

Background The importance of efficient denture deposit removal and oral hygiene has been further underscored by the continuous increase of denture wearers. Denture hygiene management has also become an important aspect associated with denture-induced stomatitis. This study aims to evaluate the denture cleaning effect of arazyme, the metalloprotease produced from the Serratia proteamaculans HY-3. We performed growth inhibition tests against oral opportunistic pathogens to be used as a potential oral health care agent. Methods The proteolytic activities of arazyme was evaluated over broad ranges of temperature, pH, and denture components compared to those of subtilisin in commercially available denture cleansers. The washing effects of arazyme were also measured by using homogeneously soiled EMPA 105 cottons. To investigate the denture cleaning capability of arazyme, artificially contaminated dentures were treated with arazyme, subtilisin (Everlase 6.0T), and Polident®, respectively. The growth kinetics of Candida albicans, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus epidermis, and Streptococcus mutans were evaluated in the presence of different concentrations of arazyme to estimate the prevention effects of arazyme against major oral opportunistic pathogens. Results Arazyme showed strong proteolytic activities over wide temperature and pH ranges compared with the serine protease of the subtilisin family. Arazyme demonstrated efficient removal and decomposition of artificially contaminated dentures and showed explicit washing effects against soiled cottons. Moreover arazyme inhibited the growth of oral opportunistic pathogens, including C. albicans, E. faecalis, S. epidermis, and S. mutans, with more than 80% inhibition against C. albicans, the major cause of denture stomatitis, with 250 mg/mL arazyme. Conclusions Arazyme shows promise as a biological oral health care agent with effective cleaning and antimicrobial activities and is a potential source for developing novel denture care agents.

Overview of the Motivation of Advance Care Planning: A Study from a Medical Center in Taiwan

(1) Background: Since Taiwan’s Patient Right to Autonomy Act took effect in 2019, up to ten thousand declarants have participated in advance care planning (ACP) and have signed advance directives (ADs). Relative to the entire population of Taiwan, only a small percentage have completed ACP. This study sought to understand the motivations of Taiwanese who have participated in ACP, so as to increase the percentage of individuals participating in ACP and signing ADs; (2) Objectives: To understand the motivations that drive Taiwanese individuals to participate in ACP discussions.; (3) Methods: A retrospective secondary data analysis was performed in this study. The participants consisted of declarants who completed their ACP at a medical center in Taiwan in 2019; (4) Results: During the study period, 946 individuals completed their ACP. Of those declarants, 66.7% were over 60 years of age; 66.5% completed the process in groups of three or more; 49.5% completed their ACP free of charge; and 35 declarants had designated a health care agent (HCA). The declarants’ four main motivations for participating in ACP were “looking forward to dying with dignity,” “making end-of-life preparations,” “fear of being a social and economic burden on family members,” and “reluctance to let family members take on the responsibility of making decisions.” Furthermore, statistically significant differences were observed between the declarants in terms of gender, age, designation of an HCA, and motivations for participating in ACP. Females, declarants aged below 60 years, and declarants with a designated HCA tended to participate in ACP due to “reluctance to let family members to take on the responsibility of making decisions”. Males, declarants aged above 60 years, and declarants without an HCA came for ACP because of “fear of being a social and economic burden on family members”. (5) Conclusions: The main motivations of Taiwanese individuals who sought ACP were to die with dignity and to have an early understanding of end-of-life treatment and care models. Secondly, these individuals hoped that their families would not have to take on the responsibility of making decisions. They also did not want to impact their families socially and economically. In this regard, providing economic subsidies might enhance the Taiwanese public’s intentions to seek ACP discussions on their own initiative.

Potential Oral Health Care Agent from Coffee Against Virulence Factor of Periodontitis

Background: Coffee is a major dietary source of polyphenols. Previous research found that coffee had a protective effect on periodontal disease. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether coffee extract and its primary phenolic acid, chlorogenic acid, affect the growth and protease activity of a periodontopathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis). Methods: Coffee extract and chlorogenic acid were prepared by a two-fold serial dilution. The turbid metric test and plate count method were used to examine the inhibitory effects of chlorogenic acid on P. gingivalis. The time-kill assay was used to measure changes in the viability of P. gingivalis after exposure to chlorogenic acid for 0–24 h. The protease activity of P. gingivalis was analyzed using the optical density of a chromogenic substrate. Results: As a result, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of chlorogenic acid was 4 mg/mL, and the minimum bactericidal concentration was 16 mg/mL. Chlorogenic acid at concentrations above MIC resulted in a longer-lasting inhibitory effect on P. gingivalis viability and significantly reduced associated protease activity. The coffee extract showed antibacterial activity as observed by the disk diffusion test, whereas these inhibitory effects were not affected by different roast degrees of coffee. Conclusions: Collectively, our novel findings indicate that chlorogenic acid not only has antimicrobial activity but also reduced the protease activity of P. gingivalis. In addition, coffee extract inhibits the proliferation of P. gingivalis, which may partly be attributed to the effect of chlorogenic acid.