Collagen loaded nano-sized surfactant based dispersion for topical application: formulation development, characterization and safety study.

Collagen, a high molecular weight, hydrophilic and highly abundant protein is known to have anti-ageing, anti-wrinkle, anti-acne, anti-scar and wound healing properties. High molecular weight and hydrophilic nature hinder its effective topical delivery. So, the objective of present study was to develop effective topical nano-surfactant dispersion (NSD) for collagen delivery. NSD was prepared from sorbitan monostearate (Span60) and cholesterol using ethanol injection method followed by probe sonication. NSD was characterized for entrapment efficiency (%EE), size and size distribution (Z-avg and polydispersity index (PDI)), shape, zeta-potential (ζ), in vitro drug release, skin hydration and skin irritation test and histopathological examination. Optimized NSD (NSD3) had %EE, z-avg, PDI and ζ-potential of 77.56% ± 1.09%, 158.1 ± 2.31 nm, 0.211 and -17.2 ± 0.64 mV, respectively. In in vivo skin hydration test, NSD treatment showed nearly 2.5-fold and 3-fold increase in the thickness of stratum corneum (SC) as compared to the collagen gel treated and untreated skin, respectively. The mean scores of skin irritation test in two animal species, rats and rabbits, were found to be 1.42 ± 1.01 and 1.71 ± 0.29, respectively, indicating the non-irritant nature of collagen loaded NSD. Histopathology of the skin after application of developed NSD showed non-significant changes in skin anatomy indicating its safe nature.

Impact of corporate governance mechanism on IFRS adoption: A comparative study of Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates.

The present study examines the impact of corporate governance mechanisms on compliance with IFRS and financial reporting quality in some selected Gulf countries. The study aims to investigate this issue using a sample of 98 firms listed in Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates over the period from 2015 up to 2018. Descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analysis are conducted to estimate the results. The results reveal that audit committee attributes have a higher impact on compliance with IFRS and financial reporting quality than other corporate governance mechanisms. Further, the results show that there is no evidence to support that the collective effect of corporate governance mechanisms has changed to be more influential from Saudi GAAP to IFRS. The present study has several contributions and implications. It has a unique contribution as it attempts to compare the effect of corporate governance mechanisms on financial reporting quality and compliance with IFRS among a recent IFRS adopter; Saudi Arabia and early IFRS adopters; Oman and the United Arab Emirates. The study opens valuable insights to regulators, stock markets, practitioners, and academicians in this issue.