ABSTRACT
Amphotericin B (AmB) is the gold standard for antifungal drugs. However, AmB systemic administration is restricted because of its side effects. Here, we report AmB loaded in natural rubber latex (NRL), a sustained delivery system with low toxicity, which stimulates angiogenesis, cell adhesion and accelerates wound healing. Physicochemical characterizations showed that AmB did not bind chemically to the polymeric matrix. Electronic and topographical images showed small crystalline aggregates from AmB crystals on the polymer surface. About 56.6% of AmB was released by the NRL in 120 h. However, 33.6% of this antifungal was delivered in the first 24 h due to the presence of AmB on the polymer surface. The biomaterial's excellent hemo- and cytocompatibility with erythrocytes and human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) confirmed its safety for dermal wound application. Antifungal assay against Candida albicans showed that AmB-NRL presented a dose-dependent behavior with an inhibition halo of 30.0 ± 1.0 mm. Galleria mellonella was employed as an in vivo model for C. albicans infection. Survival rates of 60% were observed following the injection of AmB (0.5 mg.mL-1) in G. mellonella larvae infected by C. albicans. Likewise, AmB-NRL (0.5 mg.mL-1) presented survival rates of 40%, inferring antifungal activity against fungus. Thus, NRL adequately acts as an AmB-sustained release matrix, which is an exciting approach, since this antifungal is toxic at high concentrations. Our findings suggest that AmB-NRL is an efficient, safe, and reasonably priced ($0.15) dressing for the treatment of cutaneous fungal infections.
Subject(s)
Candidiasis , Wound Infection , Humans , Amphotericin B , Antifungal Agents/chemistry , Bandages , Candida albicans , Candidiasis/drug therapy , Latex , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Wound Infection/drug therapyABSTRACT
Psoriasis is a disease that causes keratinocytes to proliferate ten times faster than normal, resulting in chronic inflammation and immune cell infiltration in the skin. Aloe vera (A. vera) creams have been used topically for treating psoriasis because they contain several antioxidant species; however, they have several limitations. Natural rubber latex (NRL) has been used as occlusive dressings to promote wound healing by stimulating cell proliferation, neoangiogenesis, and extracellular matrix formation. In this work, we developed a new A. vera-releasing NRL dressing by a solvent casting method to load A. vera into NRL. FTIR and rheological analyzes revealed no covalent interactions between A. vera and NRL in the dressing. We observed that 58.8 % of the loaded A. vera, present on the surface and inside the dressing, was released after 4 days. Biocompatibility and hemocompatibility were validated in vitro using human dermal fibroblasts and sheep blood, respectively. We observed that ~70 % of the free antioxidant properties of A. vera were preserved, and the total phenolic content was 2.31-fold higher than NRL alone. In summary, we combined the antipsoriatic properties of A. vera with the healing activity of NRL to generate a novel occlusive dressing that may be indicated for the management and/or treatment of psoriasis symptoms simply and economically.
Subject(s)
Aloe , Psoriasis , Humans , Animals , Sheep , Rubber , Latex , Antioxidants/pharmacology , Psoriasis/drug therapy , BandagesABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to assess the efficacy of a hydro-alcoholic solution of a phytocompound based on Gentianae, Cinchonae, Absinthii and Cinnamomi on gastric emptying in Helicobacter pylori-negative dyspeptic patients. METHODS: The study group consisted of 24 patients with a diagnosis of long-standing dismotility-like functional dyspepsia. All patients were devoid of any major past or ongoing disease and dyspepsia-associated diseases were excluded. After a 2-week wash out period, the patients were randomized to a 2-week treatment in which they were given 20 gtt of the compound 30 min before meals. At the beginning and end of the study, a gastric emptying test was performed by a paracetamol absorption test using a standard meal. The global symptom index (GSI) was assessed daily by a validated questionnaire. RESULTS: Treatment with the phytocompound significantly improved the gastric emptying test (P < 0.01) which was delayed in dyspeptic patients as well as GSI (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This phytocompound might be an effective therapeutic option in the treatment of dismotility-like dyspepsia.