Carboxytherapy Mask as Post Nanofractional Radiofrequency Treatment for Improvement of Facial Skin Quality and Photoaging.

BACKGROUND: Skin rejuvenation can be achieved with minimally invasive treatments using energy-based devices that feature reduced side effects and downtime. Post-treatment care is key to minimize any potential side effects and skin reactions such as erythema, dryness, or dyschromia. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and patient satisfaction of a novel carboxytherapy gel mask compared with petroleum-based lanolin-containing ointment to accelerate wound healing facial post-nanofractional radiofrequency treatment. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Ten subjects were enrolled in this pilot, prospective, randomized, single-blind study and randomized into two arms. One arm received one nanofractional radiofrequency treatment with ointment right after and four consecutive days of ointment applications twice a day, while the second arm followed this regimen with a carboxytherapy gel mask application right after and four consecutive days after treatment. Investigator, safety, and patient assessments were conducted at 24 hours and one-week post treatment. Safety was monitored throughout. The primary endpoint was defined as the degree of investigator global assessment (IGA) in photodamage, pigmentation, and wrinkles using standardized photographs. Secondary endpoints included investigator-rated degree of erythema, edema, crusting, exudation, percentage healing, improvement of skin quality, and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: Nine patients completed the study. There was improvement of one degree in IGA for photodamage, pigmentation and wrinkles in all patients using the carboxytherapy gel mask at the one-week follow up. Blinded investigator ratings showed significant improvement of dryness, erythema, edema, crusting, and percentage healing at the 24-hour follow up, with all patients remaining the same a week post treatment. All patients in the carboxytherapy group were satisfied with the treatment and had no adverse effects. Three patients in the petroleum-based lanolin-containing group experienced mild edema and acne breakout that resolved two weeks after treatment. CONCLUSION: Carboxytherapy delivered via a gel mask after skin rejuvenation procedures is a safe and effective strategy to improve clinical outcomes and reduce post-treatment side effects. J Drugs Dermatol. 20(4):461-465. doi:10.36849/JDD.5856.

Structural, pasting and thermal properties of common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) starches affected by molecular structure.

Common buckwheat starch (CBS) has extensive using value in the human diet. In this study, the molecular structure and physicochemical properties of CBS isolated from five cultivars collected from three regions of China were studied. Variations in molecular structure, crystalline structure, complexity, water solubility (WS), swelling power (SP), pasting properties, and thermal characteristics were recorded among the starches. The CBS had both similarities and differences in its properties by comparison with maize starch (MS) and potato starch (PS). The average molecular weight (MW) and amylopectin average chain length (ACL) of CBS ranged from 3.86 × 107 g/mol to 4.68 × 107 g/mol and from 21.29% to 22.68%, respectively. CBS and MS were divided into one subgroup and showed typical A diffraction patterns, while PS was divided into two subgroups and exhibited a typical B polymorphic pattern. The WS and SP of all the starches significantly increased with increasing temperature and had great variation at 70 °C and 90 °C. Pearson's correlation analysis showed that the molecular structure of starches greatly affected the physicochemical properties. This study revealed that the physicochemical properties of CBS could be affected by the molecular structures.

Effects of various oil extraction methods on the gelatinization and retrogradation properties of starches isolated from tigernut (Cyperus esculentus) tuber meals.

Gelatinization and retrogradation characteristics of starches from tigernut (Cyperus esculentus) tuber before and after various oil extraction processes were studied in this investigation. The results indicated that starches isolated from tigernut tuber after the various oil extraction processes varied significantly in gelatinization and retrogradation properties. The starches isolated from the cakes of tigernut tuber after hot press extraction exhibited higher retrogradation tendency and relatively less shear-thinning than other starch samples. The results of FT-IR, XRD, and NMR analysis indicated that oil extraction had an unfavorable influence on starch retrogradation, which may be due to structural changes caused by oil extraction processes. In particular, oil extraction led to more efficient packing of double helices in the crystalline lamella of the starches during storage. Retrogradation of the starch gels also reduced the water holding capacities of the starches. The starch sample isolated from the cake after cold press extraction exhibited the highest water absorption capacity among the five samples for all storage times. This investigation provides valuable novel information for the industrial utilization of tigernut tuber starches isolated from meals and cakes after oil extraction.

Nano formulated proanthocyanidins as an effective wound healing component.

Proanthocyanidins (PCs), a component of grape seed extract (GSE), have recently being used for the treatment of wounds. However, poor absorption, poor stability and rapid elimination from the systemic circulation limit its acceptance. In addressing these problems, we herein report the development of PCs based nanoformulations (PCs/SOLU) for the first time based on 1% GSE and assessed its wound healing potential in-vivo on the wistar rats. GSE and PCs/SOLU nanodispersions 1% were prepared by incorporating them into the ointment base via uniform mixing to form ointment which could be easily applied topically to wounds. The antibacterial activity of PCs/SOLU against gram positive and gram-negative bacteria strains proved that the cell membranes became more permeable with disrupted cell structure. While carrageenan and histamine induced rat paw edema analyses show there was no inflammatory signs in animals treated with 1 wt% of PCs/SOLU nanodispersion. Excision wound measuring about 3 cm in depth was created on the wistar rats. The ointment was applied topically on the wounded site and the wound contraction was measured daily. Grape seed extract (GSE) ointment, ointment base and povidone­iodine (Povi-Iod) ointment of about 1% was used as the control, positive and negative standards. PCs/SOLU nanodispersion heals the wound by mobilising the fibroblasts in the wound site and inhibits the inflammatory response through decreased expression of monocyte. The macroscopical, immunological and histopathological assessments revealed that PCs/SOLU nanodispersion ointment usage improves the cell adhesion and proliferation.

Characterization of the antibacterial activity of Bald's eyesalve against drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Bald's eyesalve is an Anglo-Saxon medicinal remedy that has been used through ancient times to treat eye sty infections and may represent a source of ancientbiotics. This study assessed the efficacy of Bald's eyesalve against several strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, including a multi-drug resistant phenotype, and identified the principal compound conveying antibacterial activity. Bald's eyesalve formulations were produced by combining garlic, onion or leek, wine, bovine bile, and brass, with specific ingredient omissions in several formulations, followed by incubation at 4 °C for 9 days. Bald's eyesalve formulation ES-GBBr exhibited the greatest antibacterial activity against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. Fractionation of ES-GBBr using molecular size exclusion and organic solvent partitioning isolated its antibacterial activity to the small molecule nonpolar fraction, and 1D 1H NMR revealed the identity of the antibacterial agent to be allicin. Depletion of allicin from this fraction by addition of exogenous cysteine established that all observable growth inhibition originated from allicin. Quantification of allicin demonstrated that its concentration was significantly greater in ES-GBBr compared to the ES-O formulation; however, this was not due to greater yield. The antibacterial activity of allicin against S. aureus was antagonized by other ingredients within Bald's eyesalve, whereas they were additive or synergistic against P. aeruginosa. These results suggest that neither leek nor onion is necessary for the antibacterial efficacy of Bald's eyesalve against S. aureus or P. aeruginosa, and while allicin was identified as the principal antibacterial agent present, its activity is influenced differentially in the presence of additional Bald's eyesalve ingredients when used against S. aureus compared to P. aeruginosa. Ancientbiotics may provide a source of promising antibacterials; however, identifying the source of activity and assessing distinct formulations for cooperative effects are essential to using ancient remedies, such as Bald's eyesalve, effectively against drug resistant pathogens.

Development of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles based formulation for treating wounds during nursing care in hospitals.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been emerged as significant wound healing agents because of their improved mechanical properties. However, the green synthesized silver nanoparticleshave reported significant wound healing action in Albino rats which was validated by the measurement of wound closure rate. Silver nanoparticles were efficiently synthesized using Euphorbia milii leaf extract. The UV-visible spectra recorded the effect of the reaction time on AgNPs synthesis and was indentified that the peak became shaper with an increase in time, which corresponds to increase in the number of nanoparticles formed from the reduction of silver ions present in the aqueous solution. X-ray diffraction technique and corresponding XRD patterns confirmed the biphasic nature of the biosynthesized silver nanoparticles. However, low magnification TEM images presented monodispersed AgNPs with their size ranging from 20 to 30 nm while SAED diffraction pattern disclosed their crystalline nature. Furthermore, the wound healing activity of AgNPs was examined through the excision wound model by measuring the rate of wound closure and Group II (treated with 10% Ointment base with biosynthesized AgNPs) revealed significant wound healing activity over Control group and Group I (treated with Standard Nitrofurazone ointment) in Albino rats.

The effect of chamomile extract obtained in supercritical carbon dioxide conditions on physicochemical and usable properties of pharmaceutical ointments.

The study investigated the effect of chamomile extract obtained in supercritical carbon dioxide conditions on the basic properties of pharmaceutical ointments. A total of five formulations were designed and prepared, differing in the weight ratio of sunflower oil to chamomile extract (5:0, 3.5:1.5, 2.5:2.5, 1.5:3.5 and 0:5). An increase in the concentration of chamomile extract was found to be accompanied by a decrease in hardness, adhesive power and flow limit. Based on viscosity measurements it was shown that ointments containing the hydrophobic plant extract under study were prone to larger drops in viscosity under the effect of the set shear rate. It was determined that from the viewpoint of ointment spreadability and application to the skin, the optimum concentration of chamomile extract for the studied formulations should be within the range of 1.5-2.5%. Furthermore, the addition of chamomile extract to ointments was found to give samples a yellow-green color. Green was observed to be the dominant color, and its saturation and shade varied for different formulations.

Chinese herbal Pulian ointment in treating psoriasis vulgaris of blood-heat syndrome: a multi-center, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a long history in the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris. We aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal Pulian ointment in treating psoriasis vulgaris of blood-heat syndrome. METHODS: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted. Participants with psoriasis vulgaris of blood-heat syndrome were blinded and randomized to receive Pulian ointment or placebo ointment twice daily for 4 weeks, with follow-up 8 weeks after treatment. Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) scores, severity of each symptom and area of skin lesion and quality of life were assessed at baseline, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks. Adverse events were recorded during the study. SAS 9.4 software and SPSS 17.0 software was applied for data analysis. RESULTS: A total of 300 participants with psoriasis vulgaris of blood-heat syndrome were assessed for eligibility, and 294 were randomly assigned to the Pulian ointment and placebo group from six study centers. Full analysis set (FAS): after 4 weeks of treatment, there were significant differences between groups in PASI score and the separate score of skin lesion area, favoring Pulian ointment group (P < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed in scores of scaling, erythema and induration/thickness (P > 0.05). Per protocol set (PPS): There was no statistically significant difference in PASI score and separate score of each symptom and area of skin lesion between two groups (P > 0.05). Quality of life measured by Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) and 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) improved after treatment in both groups, but there was no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). After being followed up for 8 weeks, the total relapse rates of the Pulian Ointment group and placebo group were 5.88 and 8.45%, respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant between the two groups (P > 0.05). No adverse event was observed in both groups throughout the study. CONCLUSIONS: Pulian Ointment seems effective and well tolerated in improving the PASI score and separate score of skin lesion area for patients with psoriasis vulgaris of blood-heat syndrome. Further research could build on the current study to explore whether other preparation forms and greater intervention intensity are necessary for better therapeutic effects. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chictr.org.cn Identifier ChiCTR-TRC-12002054 .

Evaluation of Cynodon dactylon for wound healing activity.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Research in the field of wound healing is very recent. The concept of wound healing is changing from day to day. Ayurveda is the richest source of plant drugs for management of wounds and Cynodon dactylon L. is one such. The plant is used as hemostatic and wound healing agent from ethnopharmacological point of view. Aim of the present study is scientific validation of the plant for wound healing activity in detail. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Aqueous extract of the plant was prepared and phytochemical constituents were detected by HPLC analysis. Acute and dermatological toxicity study of the extract was performed. Pharmacological testing of 15% ointment (w/w) of the extract with respect to placebo control and standard comparator framycetin were done on full thickness punch wound in Wister rats and effects were evaluated based on parameters like wound contraction size (mm2), tensile strength (g); tissue DNA, RNA, protein, hydroxyproline and histological examination. The ointment was applied on selected clinical cases of chronic and complicated wounds and efficacy was evaluated on basis of scoring on granulation, epithelialization, vascularity as well as routine hematological investigations. RESULTS: Significant results (p<0.05) were observed both in pharmacological and clinical studies. CONCLUSION: The present research with aqueous extract of Cynodon dactylon explores its potential wound healing activity in animal model and subsequent feasibility in human subjects. Phenolic acids and flavonoids present in c. dactylon supports its wound healing property for its anti-oxidative activity that are responsible for collagenesis.

Uso de plantas medicinales por la comunidad boliviana en el área metropolitana de Barcelona / Uso de plantas medicinais pela comunidade boliviana na área metropolitana de Barcelona / Use of medicinal plants by the Bolivian community in the Metropolitan Region of Barcelona

Las condiciones de vida que los inmigrantes de Sudamérica encuentran en España influye en sus prácticas para el cuidado de la salud. Los objetivos de este estudio fueron documentar la etnofarmacopea de los inmigrantes bolivianos en Barcelona y comprender sus pautas de comportamiento en relación con la necesidad de atención sanitaria. Para recabar información, tanto cualitativa como cuantitativa, se utilizaron cuestionarios y listados libres, asi como entrevistas semi-estructuradas y no estructuradas. Adicionalmente, se recogieron y documentaron todas las plantas medicinales y productos citados disponibles. A partir de entrevistas con 51 informantes, se registró un total de 60 remedios vegetales (115 citas de uso), con un total de 77 usos. Es común el pluralismo medicinal: los informantes utilizaban tanto los remedios vegetales en automedicación como la consultas con médicos de familia del sistema nacional de salud español. Los remedios vegetales culturalmente más relevantes incluyen infusiones de manzanilla (Matricaria recutita L.) y de hoja de coca (Erythroxylum coca Lam.) y Mentisan©, un ungiiento mentolado. A pesar de ser una muestra relativamente pequeña, este primer estudio sobre el uso de plantas medicinales por inmigrantes en España claramente indica que la comunidad boliviana sigue siendo fiel a sus tradiciones médicas (AU)

As condicoes de vida que os imigrantes da América do Sul encontram em Espanha influencia as suas práticas de cuidados de saúdo. Os objetivos deste estudo foram documentar a etnofarmacopeia do imigrantos bolivianos em Barcelona o entender sous padroes do comportamento em rolaçáo a necessidade de cuidados de saúdo. Para rocolhor informacoes, tanto qualitativas como quantitativas, foram utilizados questionários o listas livros, o entrevistas semi-estruturadas e nao estruturadas. Alem disso, recolhoram-se o documentaram-so todas as plantas medicinais o produtos citados disponíveis. A partir de entrevistas com 51 participantes, foram registados um total de 60 romádios vegetais (115 citacoes de uso), com um total de 77 usos. O pluralismo médico e comum: os informantes tanto usam remédios a base de plantas na auto-modicaçáo como consultas com médicos de familia do sistema nacional de saúde espanhol. Osremédios a base de plantas culturalmente mais relevantes incluem infusoes do camomila (Matricaria recutita L.) o de coca (Erythroxylum coca Lam.) o Mentisan©, um unguento mentolado. A pesar de ser uma amostra relativamente pequena, este primeiro estudo sobre o uso de plantas medicinais por imigrantes em Espanha indica claramente que a comunidade boliviana permanece fiel as suas tradicoes médicas (AU)

Living conditions that South American migrant communities encounter in Spain have an influence on their health care practices. The aims of this study are both to determine Bolivian migrants' ethnopharmacopeia in Barcelona and to understand the health-seeking strategies. Questionnaires and free-listings as well as semi-structured and unstructured interviews were used to gather both quantitative and qualitative data during the field work. Moreover, all accessible medicinal plants and herbal products mentioned were both collected and documented. As a result and on the basis of interviews with 51 informants, a total of sixty herbal remedies (115 use reports) were recorded used to treat with a total of 77 uses. Medical pluralism is common: informants used both plant remedies in self—medication and consultations with family doctors of the Spanish health care system. The most culturally salient plant remedies included chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) infusion, infusion of coca leaf (Erythroxylum coca Lam.) and Mentisan©, a mentholated ointment. Despite of a relatively small sample size, this first study on immigrant medicinal plant use in Spain clearly shows that the Bolivian community in Barcelona remains loyal to their medical traditions (AU)

Potential Allergens in Disposable Diaper Wipes, Topical Diaper Preparations, and Disposable Diapers: Under-recognized Etiology of Pediatric Perineal Dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Allergic contact dermatitis in young children may be an under-recognized cause of perineal dermatitis. The diapered infant skin is uniquely susceptible to allergic contact dermatitis because of more permeable neonatal skin, a moist environment, frequent contact with irritants and resultant skin barrier breakdown, and exposure to topical products such as diaper wipes, diaper preparations, and disposable diapers. To our knowledge, potential allergens in these products have not been thoroughly catalogued or studied. OBJECTIVE: We explore and review potential allergenic ingredients in diaper wipes, topical diaper preparations, and disposable diapers. METHOD: We analyzed 63 diaper wipes, 41 topical diaper preparations, and the 3 top selling diaper brands available from two of the largest retailers in the United States. Each potential allergen is discussed, and epidemiologic studies of rates of sensitization to potential allergens in children are also reported. CONCLUSIONS: Botanical extracts, including members of the Compositae family, were the most commonly represented potential allergen in both diaper wipes and topical preparations. Other potential allergens identified with high frequency include α-tocopherol, fragrances, propylene glycol, parabens, iodopropynyl butylcarbamate, and lanolin. Frequent culprits such as formaldehyde releasers and methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone were not prevalent in our analyzed products.

Glass ionomer cements functionalised with a concentrated paste of chlorhexidine hexametaphosphate provides dose-dependent chlorhexidine release over at least 14 months.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to create prototype glass ionomer cements (GICs) incorporating a concentrated paste of chlorhexidine-hexametaphosphate (CHX-HMP), and to investigate the long-term release of soluble chlorhexidine and the mechanical properties of the cements. The purpose is the design of a glass ionomer with sustained anticaries efficacy. METHODS: CHX-HMP paste was prepared by mixing equimolar solutions of chlorhexidine digluconate and sodium hexametaphosphate, adjusting ionic strength, decanting and centrifuging. CHX-HMP paste was incorporated into a commercial GIC in substitution for glass powder at 0.00, 0.17, 0.34, 0.85 and 1.70% by mass CHX-HMP. Soluble chlorhexidine release into artificial saliva was observed over 436 days using absorbance at 255nm. Diametral tensile and compressive strength were measured after 7 days' setting (37°C, 100% humidity) and tensile strength after 436 days' aging in artificial saliva. 0.34% CHX-HMP GICs were tested for their ability to inhibit growth of Streptococcus mutans in vitro. RESULTS: GICs supplemented with CHX-HMP exhibited a sustained dose-dependent release of soluble chlorhexidine. Diametral tensile strength of new specimens was unaffected up to and including 0.85% CHX-HMP, and individual values of tensile strength were unaffected by aging, but the proportion of CHX-HMP required to adversely affect tensile strength was lower after aging, at 0.34%. Compressive strength was adversely affected by CHX-HMP at substitutions of 0.85% CHX-HMP and above. CONCLUSIONS: Supplementing a GIC with CHX-HMP paste resulted in a cement which released soluble chlorhexidine for over 14 months in a dose dependent manner. 0.17% and 0.34% CHX-HMP did not adversely affect strength at baseline, and 0.17% CHX-HMP did not affect strength after aging. 0.34% CHX-HMP GICs inhibited growth of S. mutans at a mean distance of 2.34mm from the specimen, whereas control (0%) GICs did not inhibit bacterial growth. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Although GICs release fluoride in vivo, there is inconclusive evidence regarding any clinical anticaries effect. In this study, GICs supplemented with a paste of chlorhexidine-hexametaphosphate (CHX-HMP) exhibited a sustained release of chlorhexidine over at least 14 months, and small additions of CHX-HMP did not adversely affect strength.

Encapsulation of Mentha Oil in Chitosan Polymer Matrix Alleviates Skin Irritation.

Mentha spicata L. var. viridis oil (MVO) is a potent antifungal agent, but its application in the topical treatment is limited due to its irritancy and volatility. It was aimed to develop more efficient, chitosan-incrusted MVO microspheres with reduced volatility and lesser irritancy and to dispense it in the form of ointment. Simple coacervation technique was employed to microencapsulate MVO in chitosan matrix. Morphological properties and polymer cross-linking were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry, respectively. Optimization was carried out on the basis of entrapment efficiency (EE) using response surface methodology. Well-designed microspheres having smooth surface and spherical shape were observed. EE (81.20%) of optimum batch (R21) was found at 1.62% w/v of cross-linker, 5.4:5 of MVO to chitosan ratio and at 1000 rpm. R21 showed 69.38 ± 1.29% in vitro MVO release in 12 h and 96.92% retention of MVO in microspheres even after 8 week. Ointments of PEG 4000 and PEG 400 comprising MVO (F1) and R21 (F2) were developed separately. F2 showed comparatively broader zone of growth inhibition (13.33 ± 1.76-18.67 ± 0.88 mm) and less irritancy (PII 0.5833, irritation barely perceptible) than that of F1. F2 was able to avoid the direct contact of mild irritant MVO with the skin and to reduce its rapid volatility. Controlled release of MVO helped in lengthening the duration of availability of MVO in agar media and hence improved its therapeutic efficacy. In conclusion, a stable and non-irritant formulation with improved therapeutic potential was developed.

CREATION OF OINTMENT COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING PHENOL COMPOUNDS FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT.

The research was aimed at studying the possibility of obtaining drug ointments with a potential anti-mycotic activity by using thick extracts obtained from the leaves of fustic, hazel, nut and bark of the oak. There were prepared the ointment compositions on different bases. As a methodology for studying the properties of the obtained ointments, there have been used the studies of colloidal stability and resorption of tanning substances in agar. The obtained results allow for making conclusion that the selected ointments are colloidally stable, and the values of movement of zones of biologically active substances in the agar body are large enough. These data allow for forecasting both the possibility of creating the similar ointment systems and their rather high properties. Based on the obtained data, there have been selected the ointment composition variants for further studies.

Development of shampoo, soap and ointment formulated by green synthesised silver nanoparticles functionalised with antimicrobial plants oils in veterinary dermatology: treatment and prevention strategies.

Many scientists have focused their research on the role of nanotechnology for the control of human pathogens, but there are also many topical pathogens present in animals, which infect animals and transfer to humans. Topical therapy is extremely important for the management of dermatological condition in animals. Therefore, the present study aims to evaluate the efficacy of biogenic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in combination with herbal oils against animal skin infections which may be responsible for causing infections in human beings. Here, the authors synthesised and characterised the AgNPs from Azadirachta indica. The oils were extracted from medicinal plants including Cymbopogon citratus, Cymbopogon martini, Eucalyptus globules, A. indica and Ocimum sanctum and the antifungal and antibacterial activity of plant oils along with AgNPs were evaluated. An excision wound model was used for the study of wound healing activity in rabbits. AgNPs functionalised oil has demonstrated remarkable antimicrobial activity against pathogens present on the skin of animals. The nano-functionalised antimicrobial oils were used in the formulation of shampoo, soap and ointment for veterinary dermatology. Antimicrobial products of plant origin with AgNPs are valuable, safe and have a specific role in controlling diseases. The authors believe that this approach will be a good alternative therapy to solve the continuous antibiotic resistance developed by many bacterial pathogens and will be utilised in various animal contacting areas in medicine.

In vitro and in vivo antimicrobial evaluation of alkaloidal extracts of Enantia chlorantha stem bark and their formulated ointments.

The in vitro and in vivo antimicrobial evaluation of the formulated ointment of alkaloidal extract of Enantia chlorantha Oliv. (Annonaceae) was the concern of this study. The alkaloidal fraction of the stem bark extract was formulated into simple ointment using British Pharmacopoeia formula for preparation of simple ointment. Agar diffusion and agar dilution methods were used for the in vitro antimicrobial studies. Ketoconazole 4000 µg/mL and tioconazole cream 1% were used as reference standards while normal saline was used as control. The fungicidal activity kinetics of the plant extract was carried out using selected concentrations of the plant extract against the most sensitive organism (Candida albicans). For the in vivo studies, 25 albino rats weighing between 180-200 g were divided into 5 groups, anesthesized (thiopental sodium 50 mg/kg), infected with overnight culture of Candida albicans and incubated at 37 degrees C for three days to allow for growth of the microorganisms. Each of the five groups was treated on the third day of incubation with different concentrations of the formulated simple ointment (200 mg/mL, 100 mg/kg, 50 mg/mL), tioconazole cream 1% (reference standard) and normal saline control, respectively. The alkaloidal extract exhibited greater zones of inhibition with Candida glabrata and Trichophyton tonsurans while Candida albicans and Trichophyton interdigitali also showed some sensitivity. There was no surviving organism at the end of 240 min at 100 mg/mL concentration with 10(-4) dilution factor. Treatment of the infected rats with the formulated simple ointments (200, 100 and 50 mg/mL) showed that 50 mg/mL ointment had a better percentage reduction in the fungal loads at the end of the experiment when compared with the 200 mg/mL simple ointment as well as the standard tioconazole 1% cream and normal saline treated rats, respectively. The alkaloidal fraction of Enantia chlorantha stem bark as well as the formulated ointment exhibited significant in vitro and in vivo antifungal activities against different species of Candida, dermatophytes and plant fungi.

Quantitative analysis of α-mangostin in hydrophilic ointment using near-infrared spectroscopy.

The objective of this research was to quantify the α-mangostin content in mangosteen pericarp (MP) ointment as a colloidal dispersion using near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. Various concentrations of MP (IP and EP) ointments containing both internal and external pericarps were prepared and the NIR spectra of these ointments were measured. The NIR spectrum of each ointment was correlated with α-mangostin concentration by partial least square (PLS) regression. Validation of the models was performed and their predictive ability was also investigated. The equation and R(2) value for the prediction of α-mangostin concentration in IP ointment were y=0.9843x+0.4441 and 0.9730 and those in EP ointment were y=0.9569x+0.1142 and 0.9136, respectively. The biases of the IP and EP ointment models were 0.23 and 0.00, respectively. The results showed that NIR could be a useful tool for the quality control of herbal medicine in hydrophilic ointment without any sample preparation. It could predict α-mangostin content in hydrophilic ointment at very low concentration with sufficient accuracy.

Formula optimization of the Jiashitang scar removal ointment and antiinflammatory compounds screening by NF-κB bioactivity-guided dual-luciferase reporter assay system.

Inflammation plays a role in scar formation; therefore, decreasing inflammation benefits scar removal. Jiashitang scar removal ointment (JST) is a commercially available traditional Chinese medicinal formulation. It is composed of extracts from Carthamus tinctorius L. (Car), Rheum officinale Baill. (Rhe), Salvia miltiorrhiza Beg. (Sal), and Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F. H. Chen (Pan), which are all herbs with potent antiinflammatory activities. Our aims are to optimize the formula of JST and to elucidate its antiinflammatory active components. Response surface methodology was applied to optimize proportions of the four herb extracts. The antiinflammatory effects were evaluated using in vitro and in vivo models. To screen for active components in this formula, a bioactivity-based ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis was performed. After optimization, the antiinflammatory effects of the new formula were significantly superior to the original one. Screening identified 13 active ingredients: a series of saffiomin, emodin, salvianolic acid, tanshinone, and triterpenoid saponin derivatives. These active ingredients were predicted to exert nuclear factor-κB inhibiting effects through MAPK, PI3K/AKT, and NIK-IKK pathways. In conclusion, the original formula was successfully optimized with more potent antiinflammatory activity. These methods can be applied to researches of other formulas.