Topical lipophilic epigallocatechin-3-gallate on herpes labialis: a phase II clinical trial of AverTeaX formula.

OBJECTIVE: Previous in vitro and in vivo studies indicated that catechins from the tea plant (Camellia sinensis) have a therapeutic effect on herpes simplex virus infections. The aim of this study was to clinically evaluate a topical proprietary formulation containing lipophilic catechins (AverTeaX, Camellix, LLC, Evans, GA, USA) on recurrent herpes labialis. STUDY DESIGN: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial with 40 participants, initially in two groups. RESULTS: Compared with the vehicle (100% glycerin USP, CVS Pharmacies, Inc., Woonsocket, RI, USA) group, AverTeaX applied topically six to eight times daily resulted in a significant reduction in clinical episode duration (median 4.5 days vs. 9 days; P = .003) and shortened blistering and ulceration stages within an episode from a median of 3 days to 1 day (P = .0003). Median quality-of-life scores, based on a multiquestion survey, showed significant differences between the groups with respect to duration of itching, from a median of 4 days to 1 day (P = .0021), and duration until symptom free, from a median of 8 days to 4 days (P = .0016). Significant differences were not found for median scores for itching, pain, burning, swelling, bleeding, and stress. Adverse effects were not reported. CONCLUSION: AverTeaX formulation containing lipophilic catechins effectively inhibited herpes simplex labialis infection with clinical significance.

Linear atrophoderma of Moulin: a distinct entity?

Linear atrophoderma of Moulin (LAM) is a rare dermatologic disorder characterized by a hyperpigmented atrophoderma that consistently follows the lines of Blaschko. There are many clinical and histologic similarities between LAM, atrophoderma of Pasini and Pierini (APP), and morphea, and whether LAM represents part of a disease spectrum or its own distinct entity is debated. This case of a 16-year-old boy with LAM supports the hypothesis that LAM, APP, and morphea are a spectrum of disorders rather than unique entities. Although the patient's overall clinical picture supports a diagnosis of LAM with hyperpigmented, depressed lesions following the lines of Blaschko and perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate on biopsy, the bilateral presentation typical of APP, collagen entrapment of eccrine ducts typical of morphea, and changes in dermal collagen illustrate features spanning all three disorders, suggesting a relationship between these conditions that represents a spectrum of disease. Furthermore, a review of all reported cases of LAM in the literature suggests an evolving definition beyond what Moulin and colleagues originally described, including features related to those of APP and morphea.

Green tea polyphenol induces caspase 14 in epidermal keratinocytes via MAPK pathways and reduces psoriasiform lesions in the flaky skin mouse model.

Psoriasiform lesions are characterized by hyperproliferation and aberrant differentiation of epidermal keratinocytes, accompanied by inflammation, leading to a disrupted skin barrier with an abnormal stratum corneum. The expression and proteolytic processing of caspase 14, a member of the caspase family which is associated with epithelial cell differentiation, planned cell death, and barrier formation, is altered in psoriatic epidermis. We recently reported that human psoriatic tissues lack normal expression of caspase 14 [J Dermatol Sci37 (2005) 61], and caspase 14 is induced by EGCG, a green tea polyphenol (GTP), in exponentially growing normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK) [J Pharmacol Exp Ther315 (2005) 805]. This suggests that GTPs may have beneficial effects on psoriasiform lesions. The current study aimed to determine whether MAPK pathways are required for GTP-induced caspase 14 expression in NHEK and if GTPs can modulate the expression of pathological markers in the psoriasiform lesions that develop in the flaky skin mouse. The results indicate that the p38 and JNK MAPK pathways are required for EGCG-induced expression of caspase 14 in NHEK. Importantly, topical application of 0.5% GTPs significantly reduced the symptoms of epidermal pathology in the flaky skin mice, associated with efficient caspase 14 processing and reduction in proliferating cell nuclear antigen levels. This suggests that GTP-activated pathways may be potential targets for novel therapeutic approaches to the treatment of some psoriasiform skin disorders.

Expression of caspase-14 reduces tumorigenicity of skin cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: The green tea polyphenol (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) possesses anti-carcinogenic properties and was found to induce terminal differentiation in epidermal keratinocytes. Caspase-14, a member of the caspase family associated with epithelial cell differentiation, planned cell death, and barrier formation, is induced by EGCG in normal human epidermal keratinocytes but not in cancer cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A human epidermoid cancer cell line, A431, was co-transfected with a caspase-14-expressing pCMV vector and a GFP/neo-etpressingpCMVvector. Cell growth and tumorigenicity of the stable transfectant were determined in comparison to cells transfected with the control GFP/neo-expressing pCMV vector. RESULTS: Expression of exogenous caspase-14 led to growth inhibition and reduced the tumorigenicity of A431 cells. CONCLUSION: Pending future studies, caspase-14 could be used as a novel approach to skin cancer therapy via gene delivery systems.