Methods: The efficacy of desensitizing agents in reducing dentine permeability by occluding dentine tubules was evaluated using a fluid filtration device that conducts at 100 cmH2O (1.4 psi) pressure, and SEM/EDX analyses were evaluated and compared. Forty-two dentine discs (n = 42) of 1 ± 0.2 mm width were obtained from caries-free permanent human molars. Thirty dentine discs (n = 30) were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 10): Group 1: 2.7% wt. monopotassium-monohydrogen oxalate (Mp-Mh oxalate), Group 2: RMGI XT VAR, and Group 3: LIQ SiO2. Dentine permeability was measured following treatment application after 10 minutes, storage in artificial saliva after 10 minutes and 7 days, and citric acid challenge for 3 minutes. Data were analysed with a repeated measures ANOVA test. Dentine discs (n = 12) were used for SEM/EDX analyses to acquire data on morphological changes on dentine surface and its mineral content after different stages of treatment.
Results: Desensitizing agents' application on the demineralized dentine discs exhibited significant reduction of permeability compared to its maximum acid permeability values. Mp-Mh oxalate showed a significant reduction in dentine permeability (p < 0.05) when compared to RMGI XT VAR and LIQ SiO2. On SEM/EDX analysis, all the agents formed mineral precipitates that occluded the dentine tubules.
Conclusions: 2.7% wt. monopotassium-monohydrogen oxalate was significantly effective in reducing dentine permeability compared to RMGI XT VAR and LIQ SiO2.
Materials and Methods: Fresh aerial parts of four plant species (Artemisia herba alba, Cotula cinerea, Asphodelus tenuifolius, and Euphorbia guyoniana) were collected for the preparation of aqueous extracts. Two levels of dilution (10% and 20%) of the pure extracts were evaluated against Fusarium graminearum and Fusarium sporotrichioides.
Results: The results of this study revealed that the A. herba alba, C. cinerea, A. tenuifolius, and E. guyoniana aqueous extracts are effective at both concentrations of 10% and 20% for the Fusarium mycelia growth inhibition. In particular, A. tenuifolius extract is effective against F. graminearum, whereas F. sporotrichioides mycelium growth is strongly affected by the E. guyoniana 20% extract. The phytochemical characterization of the compositions of the aqueous extracts has revealed that the presence of some chemical compounds (tannins, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, and alkaloids) is likely to be responsible for the antifungal activities sought.
Conclusion: The antifungal properties of A. herba alba, C. cinerea, A. tenuifolius, and E. guyoniana make these plants of potential interest for the control of fungi affecting both wheat yield and safety.