METHODS: This study is a single blind, randomized controlled trial with two parallel arms in which participants will be allocated to VRET or IP with a ratio of 1:1. Thirty participants (18-50 years) meeting the Phobia Checklist criteria of dental phobia will undergo block randomization with allocation concealment. The primary outcome measures include participants' dental trait anxiety (Modified Dental Anxiety Scale and Dental Fear Survey) and state anxiety (Visual Analogue Scale) measured at baseline (T0), at intervention (T1), 1-week (T2), 3 months (T3) and 6 months (T4) follow-up. A behavior test will be conducted before and after the intervention. The secondary outcome measures are real-time evaluation of HR and VR (Virtual Reality) experience (presence, realism, nausea) during and following the VRET intervention respectively. The data will be analyzed using intention-to-treat and per-protocol analysis.
DISCUSSION: This study uses novel non-invasive VRET, which may provide a possible alternative treatment for dental anxiety and phobia.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN25824611 , Date of registration: 26 October 2015.
OBJECTIVE: The present study was designed to investigate anti-porcine pancreatic lipase effect of isolated compounds from Aquilaria subintegra and its mechanism.
METHODS: Compounds were isolated with serial column chromatography and their structure were identified using spectroscopic methods. Isolated compounds were tested for anti-lipase potential activity using colorimetric assay. The prediction of energy binding between isolated compounds and enzyme was described using YASARA software.
RESULTS: Four compounds were successfully isolated from the bark of A. subintegra, namely, 5- hydroxy-7,4'-dimethoxyflavone, luteolin-7,3',4'-trimethyl ether, 5,3'-dihydroxy-7,4'-dimethoxyflavone and β-sitosterol. The results indicated that all compounds displayed promising pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity ranging between of 6% to 53% inhibition. Compound 5-hydroxy-7,4'- dimethoxyflavone was a competitive inhibitor and decreases the enzyme catalysis. Meanwhile, β- sitosterol was a non- competitive inhibitor since the latter was bind allosterically toward enzyme.
CONCLUSION: This finding is significant for further investigation of bioactive compounds from A. subintegra on animal study.