Drug repurposing for regenerative medicine and cosmetics: Scientific, technological and economic issues.

Regenerative medicine and cosmetics are currently two outstanding fields for drug discovery. Although many pharmaceutical products for regenerative medicine and cosmetics have received approval by official agencies, several challenges are still needed to overcome, especially financial and time issues. As a result, drug repositioning, which is the usage of previously approved drugs for new treatment, stands out as a promising approach to tackle these problems. Recently, increasing scientific evidence is collected to demonstrate the applicability of this novel method in the field of regenerative medicine and cosmetics. Experts in drug development have also taken advantage of novel technologies to discover new candidates for repositioning purposes following computational approach, one of two main approaches of drug repositioning. Therefore, numerous repurposed candidates have obtained approval to enter the market and have witnessed financial success such as minoxidil and fingolimod. The benefits of drug repositioning are undeniable for regenerative medicine and cosmetics. However, some aspects still need to be carefully considered regarding this method including actual effectiveness during clinical trials, patent regulations, data integration and analysis, publicly unavailable databases as well as environmental concerns and more effort are required to overcome these obstacles.

The credibility of social media beauty gurus in young millennials' cosmetic product choice.

Social media influencers play a role in the beauty industry by making it more accessible and diverse, engaging in cultural acceptance and diversity, and making their lives public through social media. Known as 'beauty gurus', these influencers use their makeup skills to work with cosmetics brands, in which they earn substantial remuneration by raising brand awareness among social media audiences. While work was conducted on social media influencers, there was no clear focus on how influencers engage with young millennials regarding the choice of cosmetics products and its use. Hence, this study analysed the beauty 'gurus' credibility in influencing young female millennials' cosmetics brands of choice. A survey method was used to collect data using a judgemental sampling from young females who have subscribed and observed makeup tutorials on social media platforms, such as YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook, among many others. Additionally, a total of 271 usable questionnaires were gathered and analysed using AMOS. Credibility traits, such as knowledge, attractiveness, and relatability, were the core elements of an influencer's capability to influence young millennials. Social media influencers were seen as a new and effective marketing tool in targeting a broad demographic and increasing brand awareness.

Probiotics in Cosmetic and Personal Care Products: Trends and Challenges.

Probiotics, defined as "live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host," are becoming increasingly popular and marketable. However, too many of the products currently labelled as probiotics fail to comply with the defining characteristics. In recent years, the cosmetic industry has increased the number of products classified as probiotics. While there are several potential applications for probiotics in personal care products, specifically for oral, skin, and intimate care, proper regulation of the labelling and marketing standards is still required to guarantee that consumers are indeed purchasing a probiotic product. This review explores the current market, regulatory aspects, and potential applications of probiotics in the personal care industry.

The Potential of Selected Agri-Food Loss and Waste to Contribute to a Circular Economy: Applications in the Food, Cosmetic and Pharmaceutical Industries.

The food sector includes several large industries such as canned food, pasta, flour, frozen products, and beverages. Those industries transform agricultural raw materials into added-value products. The fruit and vegetable industry is the largest and fastest-growing segment of the world agricultural production market, which commercialize various products such as juices, jams, and dehydrated products, followed by the cereal industry products such as chocolate, beer, and vegetable oils are produced. Similarly, the root and tuber industry produces flours and starches essential for the daily diet due to their high carbohydrate content. However, the processing of these foods generates a large amount of waste several times improperly disposed of in landfills. Due to the increase in the world's population, the indiscriminate use of natural resources generates waste and food supply limitations due to the scarcity of resources, increasing hunger worldwide. The circular economy offers various tools for raising awareness for the recovery of waste, one of the best alternatives to mitigate the excessive consumption of raw materials and reduce waste. The loss and waste of food as a raw material offers bioactive compounds, enzymes, and nutrients that add value to the food cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. This paper systematically reviewed literature with different food loss and waste by-products as animal feed, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical products that strongly contribute to the paradigm shift to a circular economy. Additionally, this review compiles studies related to the integral recovery of by-products from the processing of fruits, vegetables, tubers, cereals, and legumes from the food industry, with the potential in SARS-CoV-2 disease and bacterial diseases treatment.

Hispanic/Latinos and Skincare: Disparities in Product Development, Marketing, and Toxicity.

“Hispanic” and “Latino” (also known as Mestizo) describe a diverse racial and ethnic group, with a range of cultures, languages, and biological ancestry. It includes individuals of Mexican, Central-to-South American, and Spanish-Caribbean (eg, Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Dominican) descent.1 Individuals of Hispanic/Latino race and ethnicity represent a heterogenous group of people with different skin tones and Fitzpatrick phototypes. Hispanic/Latinos are the fastest growing population in the United States (US) - projected to increase from 55 million in 2014 to 119 million in 2060, an increase of 115%.2 By 2060, more than one-quarter (29%) of the US is projected to be Hispanic/Latino.2.

Allergenic potential, marketing claims, and pricing of facial moisturizers.

Ingredients found in facial moisturizers can impact a myriad of skin conditions, including sensitive skin syndrome and contact dermatitis. There is a paucity of evidence on the allergenic potential and marketing claims of facial moisturizers, posing challenges to clinician recommendation and consumer selection. In this study, we systematically evaluate the 100 top-selling sun protective facial moisturizers that claim to be natural, fragrance free, expert-approved, age preventing, beneficial for sensitive skin, and sun protective. Allergenic potential of these moisturizers is evaluated based on ingredients used and prices and consumer ratings are compared. Accordingly, 75 of 100 marketed at least one additional benefit. "Anti-aging" products had the highest average price ($14.99/oz) and "expert-approved" had the lowest ($5.91/oz). Consumer rating was highest for facial moisturizers that were "fragrance-free" (4.35/5.00) whereas products that were "natural" received the lowest ratings (3.49/5.00). The most prevalent allergens found in these moisturizers were ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), phenoxyethanol, and cetyl alcohol. "Expert-approved" products had the fewest average allergens in their ingredient lists (P=0.033), whereas products advertising "SPF" had significantly more (P<0.001). Marketing claims play a role in product sales and ratings. When recommending products, physicians should balance allergenic risk with affordability and consumer preferences.

Envelhecimento, aparência e significados: o consumo de idosas do Brasil e da Espanha / Aging, appearance, and meanings: the consumption of Brazilian and Spanish old women / Envejecimiento, apariencia y significados: el consumo de mujeres mayores de Brasil y España

A artigo apresenta uma caracterização, e comparação, das ações de consumo para a aparência entre mulheres idosas do Brasil e da Espanha. Mesmo em um cenário de baixos recursos financeiros, ambos os grupos usufruíam de diferentes modalidades de consumo com autonomia. Suas aquisições tinham em vista o desejo de sentir-se bonita, atraente e interessante. Os principais significados envolvidos foram afeto, consideração, respeito e sacrifício. Houve insatisfação quanto à oferta de produtos a esse segmento.

The article presents a characterization and comparison of consumption actions for personal appearance among elderly women from Brazil and Spain. Even in a scenario of low financial resources, both groups enjoyed different forms of consumption with autonomy. Their acquisitions were aimed at the desire to feel beautiful, attractive and interesting. The main meanings involved were affection, consideration, respect, and sacrifice. There was dissatisfaction with the offer of products to this segment.

El artículo presenta una caracterización y comparación del consumo destinado a la apariencia de mujeres mayores de Brasil y España. Aunque en un escenario de bajos recursos financieros, los dos grupos disfrutaban de distintas modalidades de consumo y con autonomía. Sus adquisiciones tenían en cuenta el deseo de sentirse guapa, atractiva e interesante. Los principales significados relacionados fueron el afecto, la consideración, el respeto y sacrificio. Se notó una insatisfacción en cuanto a la oferta de productos a ese segmento de edad.

Economic burden and productivity loss related to eczema: A prevalence-based follow-up study in Vietnam.

OBJECTIVE: Eczema, a chronic dermatologic disease, has been recognized as an economic burden in publications all over the word but only minimally as such in Vietnam. The aim of this prospective study was to quantify the financial hardships and impairments suffered by eczema patients. METHODS: This cross-sectional prevalence-based study involved 136 patients, whose conditions were classified into three severity levels on the basis of the medications that they were prescribed. Prescription therapy was administered for a month, after which there was patient-oriented assessment of effectiveness. The work productivity and activity impairment (WPAI) questionnaire was used to evaluate productivity loss, which was expressed in percentage form. Bootstrapping was conducted to determine continuous variables and demographybased differences in cost values among the patient groups. RESULTS: For the month-long treatment, each eczema patient needed an average of US$68.1 (range: US$56.2- US$81.5) with the highest proportion being spent on cosmetic treatments. There is noticeable difference between groups among which patients' symptoms demonstrated in distinct levels. The estimates indicated that eczema resulted in 27.8% and 23.1% impairments in work and daily activities, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The aggravation of disease symptoms can increase the direct costs borne by eczema patients. A decrease in productivity, which is one of the most serious consequences of the condition, should be paid adequate attention to minimize burdens to society.

Importance of out-of-pocket costs for adult patients with atopic dermatitis in France.

BACKGROUND: Currently, few studies investigated the economic burden of atopic dermatitis (AD) in adult patients and specifically the estimation of out-of-pocket costs. Patients with skin disorders primarily use comfort care to ease dryness, itch or pain, and the costs of comfort care are not subject to any reimbursement from mandatory or complementary insurance. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to measure the medical and non-medical expenses paid by the patient. METHODS: Eczema Cohort Longitudinal Adults was a non-interventional study that aimed to assess the burden of AD in terms of quality of life and financial consequences. A self-assessment questionnaire was distributed to adult patients who were cared in four French hospitals. Patients were asked to list the resources consumed for the treatment of AD during the last 12 months and to estimate the corresponding amount of money they had to pay out of their own pockets. The severity of AD was subjected to a stratification based on the PO-SCORAD score. RESULTS: A total of 1024 patients answered the questionnaire: 31.9% with severe AD, 40.4% with moderate AD and 27.6% with mild AD. The mean annual out-of-pocket cost was €462.1 for severe AD and €247.4 for moderate AD. Emollients were the most commonly used product: 74.4% for an average out-of-pocket cost of €151.4. The out-of-pocket costs increased significantly with the severity: 27% of patients with severe AD declared having bought specially textured clothes, while 19% of patients with moderate AD reported the same. The corresponding mean out-of-pocket costs were €162 and €91, respectively. CONCLUSION: The amount of out-of-pocket costs for patients with AD for essential medical and non-medical expenses is relatively high, compared to the average out-of-pocket cost for French households. Integration of these essential resources into the list of reimbursed products and services appears necessary for a better coverage of AD.

Economic cost of substandard and falsified human medicines and cosmetics with banned ingredients in Tanzania from 2005 to 2015: a retrospective review of data from the regulatory authority.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the economic cost of substandard and falsified human medicines and cosmetics with banned ingredients in Tanzania from 2005 to 2015. DESIGN: A retrospective review of data. SETTING: Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority and premises dealing with importations and distributions of pharmaceuticals. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Confiscation reports of substandard human medicines, falsified human medicines and cosmetics with banned ingredients. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Quantities and costs of pharmaceutical products, costs of transportation, storage, court cases and disposal of products. RESULTS: The economic cost of substandard and falsified human medicines and cosmetics with banned ingredients was estimated at US$16.2 million, that is, value of substandard medicines US$13.7 million (84.4%), falsified medicines US$0.1 million (1%), cosmetics with banned ingredients US$1.3 million (8%) and other/operational costs US$1.1 million (6.6%). Some of the identified substandard and falsified human medicines include commonly used antibiotics such as phenoxymethylpenicillin, amoxicillin, cloxacillin and co-trimoxazole; antimalarials such quinine, sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, sulfamethoxypyrazine-pyrimethamine and artemether-lumefantrine; antiretroviral drugs; antipyretics and vitamins among others. CONCLUSION: The economic cost of substandard and falsified human medicines and cosmetics with banned ingredients represent a relatively large loss of scarce resources for a poor country like Tanzania. We believe that the observed increase in the quantities and the economic cost of these products over time could partly be due to the improvement in the regulatory capacity in terms of human resources, infrastructure and frequency of inspections.

Prevalence of Contact Allergens in Personal Care Products for Babies and Children.

BACKGROUND: Personal care products marketed for babies and children are often regarded as "safe" or "gentle." However, little is known about the prevalence of contact allergens in these types of products. OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the prevalence of important sensitizers in personal care products marketed for babies and children. A secondary objective of this study was to determine whether a product's cost correlates with content of sensitizing ingredients. METHODS: The ingredient lists of 533 unique personal care products were analyzed for presence of fragrance, betaines, propylene glycol, methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone, formaldehyde, lanolin, and neomycin. Price per ounce was determined for each product as well. CONCLUSIONS: Most personal care products for babies and children contain 1 or more sensitizers. Products containing more sensitizers tend to cost less than those without any sensitizing ingredients.

Thinned stone fruits are a source of polyphenols and antioxidant compounds.

BACKGROUND: Thinned fruits are agricultural by-products that contain large quantities of interesting compounds due to their early maturity stage. In this work, the phenolic profile and the antioxidant activity of six thinned stone fruits (apricot, cherry, flat peach, peach, plum and nectarine) have been investigated, focussing on proanthocyanidins. RESULTS: Thinned nectarine had the highest content of total phenols [67.43 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE) g-1 dry weight (DW)] and total flavonoids (56.97 mg CE g-1 DW) as well as the highest antioxidant activity measured by DPPH scavenging (133.30 mg [Trolox equivalents (TE) g-1 DW] and FRAP assay (30.42 mg TE g-1 DW). Proanthocyanidins were very abundant in these by-products, and the main phenolic group quantified in cherry (10.54 mg g-1 DW), flat peach (33.47 mg g-1 DW) and nectarine (59.89 mg g-1 DW), while hydroxycinnamic acids predominate in apricot, peach and plum (6.67, 22.04 and 23.75 mg g-1 DW, respectively). The low, mean degree of polymerisation of proanthocyanidins suggests that their bioavailability could be very high. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that thinned stone fruit extracts might be used as antioxidants in foods or as a source of compounds with health-related benefits that can be used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

[Anti-aging medicine: science or marketing ?]. / Médecine anti-âge : science ou marketing ?

Anti-aging medicine is self defined as a preventive medicine, combining nutritional recommendations, dietary supplements, prescriptions for hormones and various aesthetic techniques. The essential aim is to reduce the risk of aging, both psychically, physically and aesthetically. Although many scientific studies in animals or in vitro models have demonstrated the deleterious role of oxidative stress and of hormonal, vitamin or trace elements deficiencies, the transposition to humans of these findings is marginal and does not justify the therapeutic proposals advocated by the anti aging medicine. These practices are mostly not based on any scientific basis both in the diagnostic and therapeutic fields. These approaches are particularly costly for gullible patients in search of well being and abused by a carefully organized marketing involving tacit complicity of doctors, laboratories and firms producing hormones and dietary supplements and various substances devoted for aesthetic purposes.

Flavonoids and Phenolic Acids in Methanolic Extracts, Infusions and Tinctures from Commercial Samples of Lemon Balm.

The aim of this study was to quantify the levels of flavonoids (rutin, myricetin, quercetin, kaempferol) and phenolic acids (gallic, p-coumaric, rosmarinic, syringic, caffeic, chlorogenic, ellagic, ferulic) in lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) commonly used as a culinary, aromatic and medicinal herb. A rapid and reliable HPLC procedure was developed to determine the phenolic compounds in methanolic extracts, infusions and tinctures prepared from lemon balm. Except for myricetin and quercetin, as well as ellagic, gallic and rosmarinic acids, higher levels of the analytes under study were determined in the methanolic extracts (up to 22 mg/g of dry weight, DW), than in infusions (up to 5 mg/g DW). Tinctures were the poorest in flavonoids and phenolic acids (below 550 µg/g DW), except for ellagic and rosmarinic acids, which were quantified in tinctures at higher levels (mg/g DW). To sum up, the flavonoids were extracted more effectively in the infusions and tinctures than the phenolic acids. Statistically significant correlations were found between phenolic acids, possibly owing to similar biochemical pathways of the compounds. The hierarchical cluster and principal component analyses have also shown that the samples of lemon balm could be differentiated based on the levels of flavonoids and phenolic acids.

Aggregate exposure modelling of zinc pyrithione in rinse-off personal cleansing products using a person-orientated approach with market share refinement.

Realistic estimates of chemical aggregate exposure are needed to ensure consumer safety. As exposure estimates are a critical part of the equation used to calculate acceptable "safe levels" and conduct quantitative risk assessments, methods are needed to produce realistic exposure estimations. To this end, a probabilistic aggregate exposure model was developed to estimate consumer exposure from several rinse off personal cleansing products containing the anti-dandruff preservative zinc pyrithione. The model incorporates large habits and practices surveys, containing data on frequency of use, amount applied, co-use along with market share, and combines these data at the level of the individual based on subject demographics to better estimate exposure. The daily-applied exposure (i.e., amount applied to the skin) was 3.79 mg/kg/day for the 95th percentile consumer. The estimated internal dose for the 95th percentile exposure ranged from 0.01-1.29 µg/kg/day after accounting for retention following rinsing and dermal penetration of ZnPt. This probabilistic aggregate exposure model can be used in the human safety assessment of ingredients in multiple rinse-off technologies (e.g., shampoo, bar soap, body wash, and liquid hand soap). In addition, this model may be used in other situations where refined exposure assessment is required to support a chemical risk assessment.

Why people drink shampoo? Food Imitating Products are fooling brains and endangering consumers for marketing purposes.

A Food Imitating Product (FIP) is a household cleaner or a personal care product that exhibits food attributes in order to enrich consumption experience. As revealed by many cases worldwide, such a marketing strategy led to unintentional self-poisonings and deaths. FIPs therefore constitute a very serious health and public policy issue. To understand why FIPs are a threat, we first conducted a qualitative analysis on real-life cases of household cleaners and personal care products-related phone calls at a poison control center followed by a behavioral experiment. Unintentional self-poisoning in the home following the accidental ingestion of a hygiene product by a healthy adult is very likely to result from these products being packaged like foodstuffs. Our hypothesis is that FIPs are non-verbal food metaphors that could fool the brain of consumers. We therefore conducted a subsequent functional neuroimaging (fMRI) experiment that revealed how visual processing of FIPs leads to cortical taste inferences. Considered in the grounded cognition perspective, the results of our studies reveal that healthy adults can unintentionally categorize a personal care product as something edible when a food-like package is employed to market nonedible and/or dangerous products. Our methodology combining field (qualitative) and laboratory (behavioral and functional neuroimaging) findings could be of particular relevance for policy makers, as it can help screening products prior to their market release--e.g. the way they are packaged and how they can potentially confuse the mind of consumers--and therefore save lives.