Effect of Ointment Base on the Skin Wound-Healing Deficits in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rat.

Wound-healing deficits of the skin, one of the most common complications in patients with diabetes, delay wound healing, significantly reducing the patient's QOL. Therefore, the topical treatment of wound areas with drug-containing ointments and dressings is important. In this study, we investigated the effect of various ointment bases on skin wound healing in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (STZ rats). Three ointment bases were used: white ointment (oil-based), absorbent cream (emulsion-based, w/o), and macrogol ointment (water-based). Skin wound healing in STZ rats was delayed compared with that in normal rats. Each of the three ointment bases was applied to the skin wound area in normal rats, and there was no difference in the therapeutic effect. The therapeutic effect of both white ointment and absorbent cream was higher in the STZ rats group than that in the non-treated group, and delayed wound healing was observed in STZ rats treated with macrogol ointment. In conclusion, skin wound healing in STZ rats is affected by the properties of the ointment base, and it is important to use an ointment base that controls the drying of the wound area in STZ rats. These findings provide information for the selection of ointment bases useful for application to skin wounds in patients with diabetes.

Flexural Strength of Glass Carbomer Cement and Conventional Glass Ionomer Cement Stored in Different Storage Media over Time.

OBJECTIVES: Glass ionomer cement (GIC) is routinely placed as a restorative material in dentistry. However, due to its poor physical properties, its use is limited to cases where the level of stress on restoration is minimal. Improved formulations of GIC have been developed to overcome these drawbacks. The purpose of this study was to evaluate flexural strength of a conventional GIC (Fuji IX) against a newly developed glass carbomer cement (GCP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: For Fuji IX and GCP, a total of 80 blocks were prepared and divided into 16 groups (n = 5). These groups were further categorized according to the storage medium (artificial saliva and Vaseline) and time intervals (24 h and 1, 2, and 4 weeks). A 3-point bending test was carried out, and statistical analysis was done using ANOVA and Tukey post hoc tests. RESULTS: Fuji IX showed a mean flexural strength of 25.14 ± 13.02 versus 24.27 ± 12.57 MPa for GCP. There was no significant statistical difference between both materials when compared under storage media. Both materials showed the highest value for flexural strength at 2 weeks of storage and lowest at 4 weeks. CONCLUSION: The storage media do not affect the flexural strength of the specimens with reference to time. Time is the unique factor with relative influence on mean resistance to fracture. Further testing is required to evaluate the true potential of the newly developed GCP.

Clinical effect of four different ointment bases on healthy cat eyes.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the effects of long-term treatment with four different eye ointment bases (OBs) in cats. ANIMALS STUDIED: Ten healthy cats. PROCEDURES: The study was performed in two periods. Four different OBs were tested. Hundred grams of OB contained the following: OB-A: 35.17 g liquid paraffin (lp), 64.83 g white petrolatum (wp); OB-B: 10.03 g lp, 84.95 g wp 5.02 g lanolin; OB-C: 18.34 g lp, 51.40 g wp, 25.00 mg KH2 PO4 , 57.00 mg K2 HPO4 , 18.90 g eucerinum anhydricum, 11.28 g water for injections; and OB-D: 70 g unguentum lanalcoli, 20 g lp, 10 g aqua conservans. One eye was treated, and the other served as a negative control. Cats received the OBs TID for 28 days. The two study periods were separated by a 4-month washout phase. Samples for conjunctival impression cytology, swabs for bacteriologic and mycologic examination, and cytobrush samples for FHV-1 and Chlamydophila felis PCR detection were obtained. Both eyes were examined daily. Severity of ocular symptoms was scored using a modified Draize eye irritation test. A total of five eyes were treated with OB-A, five with OB-B, four with OB-C, and five with OB-D. RESULTS: Treated eyes had significantly higher clinical scores. Eyes receiving OB-A had the highest overall clinical score. The results of bacteriologic and mycologic examination concur with the previously published data. All samples tested were negative for FHV-1 and Chlamydophila felis. There was no significant difference between treated and control eyes upon cytological examination. CONCLUSION: The application of OBs resulted in clinical symptoms in treated eyes. The long-term use of ointments is not well tolerated in cats and may lead to ocular irritation.

Immortelle essential oil-based ointment improves wound healing in a diabetic rat model.

The phytochemical analysis of the investigated Immortelle essential oil revealed the presence of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes as major components that might be efficient as a wound healing potential agent. The present study aimed to develop an ointment based on the Immortelle essential oil and investigate its wound healing effects on excision wounds in diabetic rats. The topical formulated Immortelle ointment was subjected to pharmaco-technical characterization. Thirty-two diabetic rats with the induced excision wound were used to evaluate in vivo wound healing effects of ointment. The animals were randomly divided into four groups untreated or topically treated with either a 1% silver sulfadiazine, the ointment base, or Immortelle ointment. The response to the treatment was assessed by macroscopic, biochemical and histopathological analysis. The ointment, compatible with the skin remained stable for 6 months. Topical application of the Immortelle ointment showed the highest wound contraction with the highest content of hydroxyproline in comparison to the all examined groups. The Immortelle ointment showed significant wound contraction from day 7 to day 21 as compared to other groups. On the day 21, there was an average of 99.32% wound contraction in the Immortelle group, whereas the mean wound contraction in the negative control and ointment base group was 71.36% and 81.26% respectively. The histopathological results validated the potential wound healing effect of Immortelle ointment with evident post-excision scar maturation and increased collagen fibers density. Our findings revealed that the Immortelle ointment approach might serve as a promising and innovative tool for wound healing.

Temporal Effects of Different Vehicles on Wound Healing Potentials of Quercetin: Biochemical, Molecular, and Histopathological Approaches.

Development of novel drugs or formulations to accelerate the wound healing process is the need of current era. Quercetin (Q), a bioflavonoid, at 0.3% concentration has showed some wound healing potential in our preliminary studies. The present study was aimed to explore the wound healing potential of 0.3% quercetin formulated in 3 different vehicles, that is, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO; 10%), ointment base, and corn oil. Ninety experimentally wounded rats were grouped in 6 groups. The 0.3% quercetin mixed with DMSO, ointment base, and corn oil was topically applied once daily for 21 days on the wounds of groups 2, 4, and 6, respectively. DMSO, ointment base, and corn oil alone was applied similarly in groups 1, 3, and 5, respectively. Gross evaluation and wound contraction results revealed accelerated wound closure in all quercetin-treated groups. The mRNA expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor, transforming growth factor-ß1, and interluekin-10 were markedly upregulated in healing tissues of quercetin-treated groups. Tumor necrosis factor-α mRNA expression and protein levels were lowered by quercetin treatment. Quercetin-treated groups also showed increased activities of SOD (superoxide dismutase) and catalase, and levels of total thiols in wound tissues on day 7. Levels of superoxide anion radicals and malondialdehyde were markedly lower in quercetin-treated groups. Histologically, wound sections of quercetin-treated groups showed early dominance of fibroblasts, increased blood vessels, marked collagen deposition, and regenerated epithelial layer. The significant effects were more pronounced in ointment + Q group among all the quercetin-treated groups. In conclusion, 0.3% quercetin mixed in ointment base produced the fastest and better wound healing in rats.

Topical Application of Teucrium polium Can Improve Wound Healing in Diabetic Rats.

Diabetic foot ulcer is one of the major complications among diabetic patients. Several studies have shown that the extract of Teucrium polium (T. polium) is effective in the treatment of diabetic and non-diabetic wounds, as well as burn wounds. The aim of current study was to assess the wound healing activity of T. polium extract ointment in diabetic rats. Sixty-four male Wistar rats were induced diabetes with alloxan injection (125 mg/kg) and surgical wound induced. The rats were divided into 8 groups of eight rats each: control group, eucerin group, phenytoin group, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5% and 10% T. polium groups. The ointment was dressed on the wound twice a day. The process of wound healing was screened by macroscopy and digitalization on days 14 and 21 and until complete wound healing. There was no infection in the wounds of rats in any groups. The process of wounds healing of the 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, and 10% T. polium ointments, with phenytoin ointment and base ointment (eucerin) on day 14 and 21, showed that the significant difference between the treatment groups with 4% (P = 0.003), 5% (P = 0.001), 10% (P = 0.001) T. polium ointment and phenytoin ointment group (P = 0.001) compared to eucerin group. The results of this study showed that T. polium extract ointment with a 10% ointment accelerates the wound healing process in diabetic rats and is comparable to the phenytoin group.

Dittrichia viscosa L. Ethanolic Extract Based Ointment with Antiradical, Antioxidant, and Healing Wound Activities.

Dittrichia viscosa which belongs to the Asteraceae family is frequently used to treat hematomas and skin disorders in Mediterranean herbal medicine. This study aims to validate its antioxidant effects and its potential on healing wounds. The ethanolic extract of D. viscosa leaves was formulated as 2.5% and 5% (w/w) in ointment bases on the beeswax and sesame oil. During this study, the ethanolic D. viscosa extract, ointments containing 2.5% and 5% of D. viscosa extract, and the vehiculum were assessed for their total phenol content (TPC), caffeoylquinic acid content (CQC), and antioxidant activities using complementary methods (TAC, the DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and the BCB). The effects on wound healing of obtained ointments were evaluated by excision of the wound in a mice model for 12 days. Subsequently, the excised wound areas were measured at the 3rd, 9th, and 12th days. The skin tissues were isolated for histological studies. The ointments containing D. viscosa extract (2.5%, 5%) possessed a considerable TPC, CQC, radical scavenging potential, and antioxidant activities compared to the vehiculum. Treated animals with ointments containing D. viscosa extract at 2.5% and 5% showed almost and totally healed wounds compared to the vehiculum and control groups, evidenced by good skin regeneration and reepithelialization. The present work showed the role of D. viscosa antioxidants exerted by its polyphenolic compounds, in particular, caffeoylquinic acids, in enhancing wound healing.

Observation of curative effect of recombinant human basic fibroblast growth factor combined with compound polymyxin B ointment and local application of insulin on wound healing of deep second-degree burn in diabetes mellitus: a randomized study.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed at investigating the clinical efficacy of recombinant human basic fibroblast growth factor combined with compound polymyxin B ointment and the local application of insulin on wound healing of deep second-degree burn in diabetes mellitus. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 80 diabetes mellitus patients complicated with deep second-degree burn treated from 2016 to December 2017 were selected and divided into observation group (n=40) and control group (n=40) using the random number method. Patients in control group were treated with compound polymyxin B ointment, while those in observation group were treated with basic fibroblast growth factor based on the treatment in control group. The time of wound pain relief, wound scarring, and wound healing was compared. RESULTS: The number of positive bacteria in the wound was recorded and the duration of infection was also recorded. Moreover, the changes in the expressions of Advanced Glycation End products (AGEs) and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) were analyzed. In observation group, the time of wound pain relief, wound scarring, and wound healing was significantly shorter than that in control group (p<0.05). At 3, 14, and 28 days after the treatment, the levels of AGEs in observation group were lower than those in control group, while the levels of VEGF in the observation group were higher than those in control group (p<0.05). The proportions of wound infection, skin necrosis, systemic blood infection, hypoglycemia, and hyperglycemia and the ineffective rate in observation group were significantly lower than that in control group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The application of compound polymyxin B ointment and the local application of insulin combined with recombinant human basic fibroblast growth factor in diabetes mellitus patients complicated with a deep second-degree burn can effectively alleviate the pain, reduce the wound infection rate, promote the wound healing, and improve the overall therapeutic effect.

[Influence of Bases for External Medicines with Different Coatability and Water Retentivity on Wound Healing].

When selecting external medicines for the treatment of skin diseases, it is thought to be very important to consider differences in characteristics of their bases, because the bases may influence the clinical efficacy of the medicines. In this study, we investigated whether the differences in characteristics of three kinds of bases, white petrolatum, macrogol ointment, and aqueous gel affect wound healing. In vitro moisture permeability tests demonstrated that these bases have different characteristics in coatability and water retentivity, with the rank order of the intensity of coatability as white petrolatum>macrogol ointment>aqueous gel, and that of water retentivity as macrogol ointment>white petrolatum>aqueous gel. Similar rank order of these bases was observed for transepidermal water loss and stratum corneum water content in the dry skin on the abdomen of guinea pigs induced by topical application of acetone/ether mixture, followed by water. In addition, we found that treatment with macrogol ointment, but not white petrolatum or aqueous gel, significantly accelerated wound healing in rat skin, and that the contents of basic fibroblast growth factor and epidermal growth factor in the skin treated with macrogol ointment were significantly higher compared with non-treated skin. In conclusion, these results imply an important role of the bases of external medicines in the treatment of skin diseases.

Fibronectin enhances healing of excised wounds in rats.

Fibronectin (Fn) is a normal plasma and extracellular matrix glycoprotein that is involved in each phase of wound healing. For example, it is incorporated into both fibrin and collagen fibers; it opsonizes circulating tissue debris for removal by the reticuloendothelial system; it is used by macrophages, fibroblasts, and epithelial cells to move into the wound; and fragments of Fn are chemotactic for fibroblasts. In this study, experiments with rats showed that excised lesions treated with Fn healed more rapidly than paired control lesions treated with the carrier alone. Applications of Fn once a day for two days were as effective in speeding healing as twice-daily applications of Fn for 12 days. A single treatment with Fn soon after the initial injury was nearly as effective as more prolonged treatment regimens.

Effect of drug vehicle on human ocular retention of topically applied tetracycline.

Tetracycline hydrochloride--as a 1% suspension in oil, 1 and 2% suspension in ointment, and 1 and 2% solution in water or balanced salt solution USP--was applied once to the conjunctival cul-de-sacs of volunteers and patients before cataract extraction. The tear film concentrations of drug were maintained above a bacteriostatic level in excess of six hours for 1 and 2% tetracycline in ointment, less than two hours for 1% tetracycline in oil, and less than 30 minutes for 1 and 2% tetracycline in water or balanced salt solution. The 2% tetracycline in ointment produced the highest tear film levels of drug. The 1% tetracycline in oil induced excessive lacrimation and much of the drug was washed from the conjunctival surface. The tear film levels of the drug were mirrored by the maintenance of bacteriostatic levels of tetracycline in the aqueous humor for 1 1/2 hours with 2% tetracycline in ointment. Whereas 1% tetracycline in ointment produced drug levels approaching bacteriostasis in the aqueous humor, 1% tetracycline in oil produced only trace levels of the drug within the anterior chamber. The ointment acted as a depot for the suspended drug and most of the drug in the absence of excessive tearing was lost from the conjunctiva via the lacrimal system.

Percutaneous penetration enhancement and its quantification.

True penetration enhancing effects resulting from structural alterations of the barrier stratum corneum manifest themselves in an increase of the drug diffusion coefficient DB and/or of the drug solubility in the barrier csB. The quantification of enhancing effects on drug penetration is possible either by the direct determination of the drug fluxes or by an indirect determination through the measurement of the pharmacodynamic response. In both cases the thermodynamic drug activity has to be considered. In the case of pharmacodynamic measurements, enhancing effects may be determined from the horizontal distance of activity-response lines obtained without and with enhancer, respectively, i.e. the quotient of the drug concentrations that induce the same effect. The activity-standardized bioavailability factors fa obtained from the horizontal distances correspond to the enhancer-induced relative changes in the permeabilities PB, or more exactly in the product DB X csB. On the other hand, the vertical distance between the activity-response lines, i.e. the differences in the drug response after application of preparations with equal (even maximum) thermodynamic drug activities may be used to quantify penetration enhancing effects.

Effect of topical application of medicinal grade petrolatum on various species of laboratory animals and man.

Medicinal grade yellow and white petrolatum (soft paraffin) were tested for dermatoxic effects on laboratory animals and man. Yellow petrolatum produced redness, thickening of skin, hyperkeratosis and reversible total hair loss in rabbit and rat but no dermatoxic effect was observed in man and dog. White petrolatum which is similar in composition to yellow petrolatum produced less redness and keratosis. Refluxing of yellow soft paraffin with 95% alcohol could dissolve out dermatoxic fraction. The results have been discussed and it is suggested that drugs with petrolatum as ointment base should not be tested on rats and rabbits as petrolatum itself is dermatoxic in these species.

[A new type of ointment base: investigations on its antimicrobial properties (author's transl)]. / Eine neuartige Salbengrundlage - Untersuchungen über deren antimikrobielle Eigenschaften.

A new ointment base (PEN 32) consisting of polyalcohols prevents the growth of bacteria and fungi in concentrations above 25% (mg/mg). In a concentrated form the ointment base exhibited excellent bactericidal and fungicidal effects in vitro. This property enables the ointment base to be employed without preservatives.

Uso de Fluorescência de Raios X (XRF) para fins de comparação entre a composição elementar da barba de timão Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart) Coville com outras pomadas cicatrizantes / Use of X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) for purposes of comparison between the elemental composition of barba de timão Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart) Coville and other healing ointments

Introdução: A Barba de timão é uma planta de origem do cerrado brasileiro, que vem sendo estudada por suas propriedades medicinais, tais como: antibacteriana, cicatrizante, coagulante sanguíneo, dentre outras. A cicatrização é um processo pelo qual o organismo tende a reparar uma lesão ou perda de tecido. Objetivo: Este trabalho compara a composição química da barba de timão com algumas pomadas cicatrizantes de origem farmacêuticas já presentes e disponíveis no mercado. Assim, pode-se relacionar a propriedade cicatrizante desta planta por meio de seus componentes químicos. Materiais e Métodos: Para realizar tal comparação, foi utilizada com amostra a planta barba de timão comercializada em mercados especializados e as pomadas, sulfato de neomicina e a sulfadiazina de prata. Para a análise multielementar, foi utilizada a espectroscopia por fluorescência de raios X (XRF). Com o espectro fornecido pela XRF foi possível comparar os elementos químicos das amostras. Conclusão: O espectro mostrou que a barba de timão tem propriedades químicas semelhantes, assemelhando-se com os componentes químicos encontrados na amostra de sulfato de neomicina, adicionada de três compostos químicos, K, Ca e Br, que também são importantes no processo de cicatrização. Ao comparar com a sulfadiazina de prata, o único elemento que se difere do fitoterápico, além do três já citados, é a Ag. (AU)

Introduction: Barba de timão is a plant of the Brazilian Cerrado origin, which is already studied for its medicinal properties, such as: antibacterial, healing, blood coagulant, etc. Healing is a process by which the body tends to repair an injury or loss of tissue. Objective: This work compares the chemical composition of barba timão with some pharmaceutical healing scouring ointments already present and used in the market. Thus, we can relate the healing properties of this plant. Material and Methods: In order to make such a comparison, it was used the barba timão plant marketed in specialized markets, and the ointments neomycin sulfate and silver sulfadiazine. For multielement analysis, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) was used. With the spectrum provided by the XRF it was possible to compare the chemical elements of the samples. Conclusion: The spectrum shows that the barba timão has similar chemical properties, it resembles the chemical components found in the sample of neomycin sulfate, but with three more chemical compounds that is K, Ca and Br, that are also important in the healing process. When comparing with silver sulfadiazine, the only element that differs beyond the K and Ca of the phytotherapic, is the Ag of the ointment sample. (AU)

Comparative studies on the topical administration of mucopolysaccharide and heparin ointments in nonhuman primates.

Mucopolysaccharide polysulfate (MPS) represents a mammalian-derived sulfated polysaccharide. Because the origin and structure of heparins is similar to MPS, this study was conducted to compare 2 ointment formulations containing MPS or heparin with a placebo ointment on tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) released in nonhuman primates (Macaca mulatta). A primate colony composed of 18 animals, housed at Loyola University Medical Center, was used in compliance with an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)-approved protocol. Mucopolysaccharide polysulfate (4.5%), heparin (4.5%), and a placebo ointment were topically applied to individual groups of primates in a crossover study for periods of up to 2 weeks. Blood samples were drawn on days 1, 2, 5, 7, and 10. The anticoagulant effects (activated partial thromboplastin time [APTT], Heptest, thrombin time [TT]), TFPI antigen and functional levels, thrombin activatable fibrinolytic inhibitor (TAFI), and antiheparin platelet factor 4 antibodies (AHPF4 abs) were measured in citrated plasma. All data were compiled as mean +/- 1 standard deviation and compared in groups. Topical administration of both the MPS and heparin ointments resulted in no measurable anticoagulant effects in the primate model; however, MPS produced a concentration-dependent release of TFPI antigen and a functional activity that was stronger than the effects observed with heparin. A decrease in TAFI activation was also observed in the MPS-treated primates. In addition, in the heparin-treated group, a slight increase in AHPF4 abs was observed. In conclusion, MPS showed a stronger release of TFPI than heparin that was not associated with a strong anticoagulant effect. Moreover, MPS downregulated TAFI, resulting in an enhanced fibrinolytic effect.