Advancements in microfluidics for skin cosmetic screening.

With the global penetration of skin care awareness and upgrading of personal care awareness, the use rate of cosmetics and personal skin care products has been increasing worldwide. It is particularly important to monitor the quality and safety of skin cosmetics. In accordance with the requirements of the 7th Amendment of the European Cosmetics Directive 1223/2009, in vitro test methods have been developed to replace animal experiments, such as the 2D test, 3D test, microfluidic skin chip test, etc. The microfluidic skin chip overcomes the shortcomings of the 2D test and the 3D test that lack the complexity of human skin through fine control of the human skin microenvironment and induction of relevant mechanical stimulation. High similarity to real human skin through simulation of the vascular system and immune response. Therefore, the microfluidic skin chip is considered as a valuable and effective tool for the in vitro screening of cosmetics. In this paper, we reviewed the detection methods and technologies of common chemical substances, toxic elements, active substances and adverse reactions in vitro in quality monitoring of cosmetics. The most advantageous microfluidic skin chip technology is also introduced. The material and technology progress of skin chips used in cosmetic screening is reviewed and discussed. Then the application of microfluidic design in cosmetic screening in vitro is summarized.

Geraniol relieves mycoplasma pneumonia infection-induced lung injury in mice through the regulation of ERK/JNK and NF-κB signaling pathways.

BACKGROUND: Pneumonia is a serious pediatric lung injury disease caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) with increasing global prevalence every year. The WHO has reported that nearly 19% of children die due to pneumonia worldwide. OBJECTIVE: The present research was conducted to discover the ameliorative properties of geraniol against M. pneumoniae-provoked pneumonia in mice through the modulation of inflammatory responses. METHODOLOGY: The pneumonia was provoked in the male Swiss albino mice via infecting animals with 100 µl of M. pneumoniae for 2 days and supplemented concurrently with 20 mg/kg of geraniol for 3 days. 100 mg/kg of azithromycin was used as a standard drug. The nitric oxide (NO) level and MPO activity were measured using kits. The SOD activity, GSH, and MDA levels were studied using standard methods. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) study was performed to examine the M. pneumoniae DNA load. The inflammatory cytokines status was assessed by assay kits. The ERK1/2, JNK1/2, and NF-κB expressions were studied by reverse-transcription (RT-PCR). The lung tissues were analyzed microscopically to investigate the histological alterations. RESULTS: Geraniol treatment effectively reduced lung weight, NO level, and MPO activity in the pneumonia mice. The total cells and M. pneumoniae DNA load were also decreased by the geraniol. The SOD activity and GSH level were improved and MDA was decreased by the geraniol treatment. The IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, and TGF status were appreciably depleted by the geraniol in the pneumonia mice. Geraniol also suppressed the ERK1/2 and NF-κB expressions in the lung tissues. Histological findings also suggest the therapeutic roles of geraniol against pneumonia in mice. CONCLUSION: In summary, our results proved the beneficial roles of geraniol against the M. pneumoniae-provoked pneumonia. Geraniol could be a hopeful therapeutic agent to treat pneumonia in the future.