Formulation and characterization of sunscreen creams with synergistic efficacy on SPF by combination of UV filters.

The objective of this study was to develop sunscreen cream formulations with high sun protection factor (SPF) and satisfied characteristics. The actives were anisotriazine (an organic UV filter) and titanium dioxide (an inorganic UV filter). Two optimal cream bases selected from several preliminary formulations were prepared and incorporated with both actives in the legislated concentrations via emulsification process. The samples were determined for in vitro SPF, physical appearance, pH, and viscosity. Moreover, the sunscreen creams were compared for SPF with those of their counterparts containing either anisotriazine or titanium dioxide at the identical concentrations. The stability was studied under freeze-thaw condition. The results indicated that synergistic efficacy on SPF of sunscreen combination was confirmed. The intrinsic properties of cream bases, especially viscosity, affected the SPF of the final products.

Effects of components on and predictive modeling of microemulsion phase behavior in nonionic systems.

This study aimed to investigate phase behaviors, to study effects of cosolvent addition on size of microemulsion regions and to propose modified logistic regression which could describe microemulsion regions in nonionic systems. The systems composed of rice bran oil (RBO) or isopropyl palmitate (IPP), various ratios of sorbitan monooleate (SMO) and polyoxyethylene 20 sorbitan monooleate (PSMO) mixtures, water and isopropyl alcohol (IPA) or propylene glycol (PG) were studied for their microemulsion regions obtained on the phase diagrams. Concept of modified logistic regression was used to predict probability of microemulsion formation and size of microemulsion regions in the systems. It was found that both oil and cosolvent types affected on microemulsion formation. A system composed of IPP, 2:1 water:IPA, and 1:1 SMO:PSMO could provide the largest microemulsion region. However, the purposed modified logistic regression could be used consistently for only one system of the total four systems due to the faceted shape of microemulsion-zone.

Physicochemical transfer functions to predict zone of precipitation between calcium and phosphate in simplified parenteral nutrition.

We use committee-vote via empirical transfer functions obtained from various regression models of actual physicochemical data for describing possible zone of hazardous precipitation of calcium and phosphate for particular amino acid brand name, i.e., Moripron-F® or Aminovenos-N-Paed®. The logistic regression with modified Hosmer-Lemeshow method is also presented. We use a slack variable for grouping data space near each original data point for calculating odd ratio of precipitation event and then extrapolate back to zero value of the slack variable in order to obtain the intrinsic odd ratio function that is independent from the slack variable. Committee-vote could reveal a nonlinear pattern with high accuracy and low health hazardous prediction for Moripron-F®. However, applying such algorithm with Aminovenos-NPaed ® was unsuccessful due to violation of the committee-voting rule, i.e., empirical transfer function has too weak prediction power.

Using Algebraic Geometry to Describe Boundaries of Microemulsion Regions in Nonionic Systems.

This study aimed to propose an empirical polynomial function based on algebraic geometry which could represent microemulsion regions in nonionic systems. The systems composed of olive oil (OO), water (W) and various ratios of sorbitan monooleate (SMO) and polyoxyethylene 20 sorbitan monooleate (PSMO) mixtures were investigated for their microemulsion regions obtained on the phase diagrams. Concept of algebraic geometry in this study was that description of close-boundary shape was cross-sectioning of a 3D-geometrical object with a plane which could be explained by an empirical polynomial function of the {oil, water, surfactant mixture}. In-house ad hoc software was created according to the proposed concept. It was found that this method could describe boundaries of microemulsion regions in the studied systems. Although this method could not reduce time consumption since it required intensive computational powers, the software could automatically run. Moreover, the developed program could provide acceptable level of accuracy.

Evaluation of Caffeine Gels on Physicochemical Characteristics and In Vivo Efficacy in Reducing Puffy Eyes.

The eyelids are the thinnest skin in the body, leading to be easy for the blood vessels to show through the skin caused a swollen and dark appearance called puffy eyes. Placing refrigerated damp tea bags on the eyelids has been believed for a long time that it can reduce the puffy eyes due to the vasoconstriction of caffeine. This study aimed to characterize physicochemical properties and to determine in vivo efficacy in reducing puffy eyes of the prepared caffeine gels. The formulation composed of 3% caffeine, 2% ethanol, 0.3% Uniphen® P-23, 7.5% propylene glycol, 0.5% Carbopol® Ultrez-21 and water to 100% was selected for eye irritation test and efficacy evaluation since it possessed good characteristics and provided sustained skin permeation. The 34 volunteers (18 women, 16 men) who easily developed puffy eyes after going to bed without sleep and with no irritation to caffeine gel as well as its gel base were treated with the gels in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The skin permeation profiles showed that all caffeine gels allowed caffeine to permeate through the newborn pig skin. However, the overall efficacy of the selected caffeine gel in reducing puffy eyes was not significantly different from that of its gel base. It could be concluded that the cooling effect of the hydrophilic gels was the main parameter in reduction of eye puffiness rather than the vasoconstriction of caffeine.

Evaluation of Shampoos Containing Silicone Quaternary Microemulsion.

This study aimed to characterize properties and to evaluate conditioning performance providence of shampoos containing various concentrations, i.e., 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 %w/w, of silicone quaternary microemulsion. The results indicated that all samples were clear yellowish liquids with good odor. Addition of silicone quaternary microemulsion in the investigated formulation did not markedly affect the characteristics of the obtained shampoos, except viscosity. Their averaged pH values were in the range of 6.59-7.17 which were acceptable according to TIS 162-2541. All samples provided stable foam, surface tension reduction and low viscosity with Newtonian flow. Under a light microscope, the cuticle arrangement of five tresses washed by the studied shampoos seemed to be better than their counterpart tresses before washing. However, no obvious difference on the cuticle arrangement of the tresses after washing by the identical manner with different shampoos was observed. Most of 50 referees rated and scored that the tress washed with shampoo containing 1%w/w silicone quaternary microemulsion provided the highest conditioning performance, i.e., smooth and softness, via contacting. It could be concluded that silicone quaternary microemulsion was able to be incorporated with the investigated shampoo formulation as an effective hair-conditioning agent.