Oral intake of bucillamine, carvedilol, metformin, or phenformin does not protect against UVR-induced squamous cell carcinomas in hairless mice.

Squamous cell carcinoma represents the second most common type of keratinocyte carcinoma with ultraviolet radiation (UVR) making up the primary risk factor. Oral photoprotection aims to reduce incidence rates through oral intake of photoprotective compounds. Recently, drug repurposing has gained traction as an interesting source of chemoprevention. Because of their reported photoprotective properties, we investigated the potential of bucillamine, carvedilol, metformin, and phenformin as photoprotective compounds following oral intake in UVR-exposed hairless mice. Tumour development was observed in all groups in response to UVR, with only the positive control (Nicotinamide) demonstrating a reduction in tumour incidence (23.8%). No change in tumour development was observed in the four repurposed drug groups compared to the UV control group, whereas nicotinamide significantly reduced carcinogenesis (P = 0.00012). Metformin treatment significantly reduced UVR-induced erythema (P = 0.012), bucillamine and phenformin increased dorsal pigmentation (P = 0.0013, and P = 0.0005), but no other photoprotective effect was observed across the repurposed groups. This study demonstrates that oral supplementation with bucillamine, carvedilol, metformin, or phenformin does not affect UVR-induced carcinogenesis in hairless mice.

Fragrant and sticky allergens from the pinewood: Cohabiting and coreacting.

BACKGROUND: Tree moss (Pseudevernia furfuracea [L.] Zopf.), a lichen growing on conifers, is a frequent fragrance sensitizer. Previous studies have shown two subgroups of tree moss-allergic patients: a group sensitized to common allergens of tree and oak moss (Evernia prunastri), and another group sensitized to colophonium-derived allergens, which may contaminate tree moss extract. OBJECTIVES: To report the results of including tree moss extract in the baseline series and discuss the clinical implications. METHODS: Tree moss extract was included in the baseline series and sensitized patients were assessed for concomitant allergy to colophonium and oak moss, and the relevance of these reactions was analyzed. RESULTS: Altogether, 22 of 632 patients (3.5%) had positive reactions to tree moss. Eight patients were sensitized to tree moss only (among fragrance allergens) and 75% had relevant reactions to colophonium. Fourteen patients were sensitized to other fragrance allergens as well and 28.5% had relevant colophonium reactions. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of positive tree moss reactions is high enough to justify its inclusion in the baseline series. If tree moss is not included, patients with positive colophonium reactions should be informed of possible (false) cross-reactivity to tree moss to avoid this labeled fragrance allergen.

Allergenic sesquiterpene lactones from cushion bush (Leucophyta brownii Cass.): new and old sensitizers in a shrub-turned-a-pot plant.

BACKGROUND: The Australian cushion bush (Leucophyta brownii) of the Compositae family of plants has become a popular pot and container plant. The plant produces the sesquiterpene lactone allergen calocephalin. OBJECTIVES: To assess the sensitizing potential of sesquiterpene lactones from cushion bush. PATIENTS/MATERIALS/METHODS: Eleven Compositae-sensitive patients were patch tested with seven sesquiterpene lactones isolated from cushion bush. RESULTS: Six of seven sesquiterpene lactones elicited positive reactions in 4 of 11 patients. CONCLUSIONS: The well-known sesquiterpene lactone pseudoivalin and its derivative pseudoivalin acetate, as well as calocephalin and tomentosin, were confirmed to be sensitizers, whereas leucophytalin A and 4α-hydroxy-5αH,10αH-1,11(13)-guaidien-8ß,12-olide were shown to be allergenic for the first time. The patch test reaction patterns seem to follow the chemical patterns, which may eventually make it possible to trace primary sensitizers and advise patients more precisely.

Worldwide utilization of topical remedies in treatment of psoriasis: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To review published literature describing the global use of topical antipsoriatics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Search for English-language articles in Embase, Pubmed, PsycINFO and Cochrane Library. RESULTS: Fifty-four selected publications were found, describing psoriasis patients' use of topical antipsoriatics, using six different methods to collect data. The eight most frequently used topical treatments from the regions North/South America, North/Central/South Europe, Asia, Middle East and Australia were: corticosteroids used by 16-79%, complementary and alternative medicines used by 10-62%, phototherapies used by 0.4-75%, calcipotriol used by 4.2-73%, corticosteroid/calcipotriol combinations used by 3.3-71%, tar used by 0.8-66%, anthralin used by 15% and emollients used as monotherapy by 1-23%. Rates of patient-reported adherence to topical remedies ranged from 51% to 90% and rates of patient-reported satisfaction with topical as it pertains to symptom control ranged from 12% to 52%. CONCLUSION: The identified use patterns are varying and reflect a lack of data from large parts of the world and noncomparable studies using heterogeneous study designs. However, this study emphasizes the importance of medical professionals involvement of the patient with respect to choosing prescribed topical treatment and the possibility of patients' use of alternative treatments. More drug utilization studies, both survey and register based, from different parts of the world are needed to provide more conclusive evidence about patients' use of topical antipsoriatics.

Anti-irritants II: Efficacy against cumulative irritation.

So-called anti-irritants (AI) are widely used in cosmetic formulations, with the aim of reducing irritation from substances in the formulation. It may also be claimed that they are 'soothing' and 'healing' ingredients. However, the proof for these claims is circumstantial. The dose-response effect of 4 alleged AI (nifedipine, (-)-alpha-bisabolol, canola oil and glycerol) was studied on experimentally induced acute irritation in healthy volunteers, and only glycerol showed dose-related response and effects potentially better than no treatment. The acute irritation model only allowed a small window of opportunity in which to demonstrate efficacy. Therefore, the effect of AI was studied in a cumulative irritation model by inducing irritant dermatitis with 10 min daily exposures for 5+4 days (no irritation on weekend) to 1% sodium lauryl sulfate on the right and 20% nonanoic acid on the left volar forearm. AI ointments were applied twice daily. Clinical scoring was performed daily, evaporimetry (Trans Epidermal Water Loss), hydration and colourimetry were measured at baseline (D0), in the middle and at the end of treatment. The glycerol ointment was the only treatment statistically better than both 'no treatment' and vehicle.

Anti-irritants I: Dose-response in acute irritation.

The term 'anti-irritant' (AI) was coined in 1965 by Goldemberg to describe a diverse group of topical product ingredients, which were able to reduce the irritation potential of other more irritating ingredients in the same product. 'AIs' are being added to cosmetic formulations in order, allegedly, to benefit tolerability of the products and allow claims such as 'soothing' and 'healing' ingredients. Limited documentation in favour of the efficacy of AIs is published. We studied the dose-related effect of 4 alleged AIs (nifedipine, (-)-alpha-bisabolol, canola oil and glycerol) on experimentally induced acute irritation in healthy volunteers. Each AI was used in 3 concentrations. Acute irritation was induced by occlusive tests with 1% sodium lauryl sulfate and 20% nonanoic acid in N-propanol. The irritant reactions were treated twice daily with AI-containing formulations from the time of removal of the patches. Evaluation of skin irritation and efficacy of treatments were performed daily for 4 days using clinical scoring, evaporimetry (transepidermal water loss), hydration measurement and colourimetry. Only glycerol showed dose-response and effects potentially better than no treatment. There was no significant effect and no difference between the three other AIs.