Effectiveness of topical Nigella sativa for vitiligo treatment.

Vitiligo is a pigment disease characterized by the disruption of melanocyte structure and function. Its etiology is unknown; however, genetic predisposition, biochemical factors, and neural mechanisms are thought to be effective. Although many agents are being used for its treatment, generally there is no absolute cure. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effectiveness of topical Nigella sativa seed oil on vitiligo patients. Thirty-three vitiligo patients were included in the study. Totally 47 areas were evaluated in all patients. Cream containing N sativa seed oil was topically applied to hands, face, and genital region two times a day for 6 months. Statistically significant repigmentation was detected in hands, face, and genital region, the three treatment areas, and the p values are found .005, .001, and .004, respectively. N sativa can be used as an adjuvant therapy that can contribute to the treatment especially in sensitive skin areas like genital region.

Efficacy of two plant extracts against acne vulgaris: Initial results of microbiological tests and cell culture studies.

BACKGROUND: Acne vulgaris is a common skin disease characterized by increased sebum production, inflammation, and colonization of Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) on pilosebaceous follicles. AIMS: To determine the efficacy of two different plant extracts against P. acnes and to analyze the gene expression levels of IL-1α, SRD5A1, and TNFα in HaCaT cells treated with these plant extracts. METHODS: Anti-acne extract 1 (AE1) consisted of Juglans regia (walnut husk), Myrtus communis (myrtle leaves), Matricaria chamomilla (chamomilla flowers), Urtica dioica (stinging nettle leaves), and Rosa damascena (rose flowers). Anti-acne extract 2 (AE2) contained Brassica oleracea var. botrytis (broccoli) and B. oleracea var. italica (cauliflower). The antimicrobial activities of the extracts were tested on two different P. acnes strains: the reference strain of P. acnes (ATCC 51277) and the clinical isolate from a patient. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extracts was determined using the broth dilution method. Human keratinocyte cells were used for in vitro tests. Gene expression analyses were performed with RT-qPCR. RESULTS: The MIC values of the extracts were below 1/2048 µg/mL. In the gene expression analysis, AE1 increased the expression level of TNFα (1.1719, P < 0.0001), suppressed the expression level of IL-1α, SRD5A1 (0.0588, P = 0.0231; 0.3081, P = 0.0351), respectively. AE2 suppressed gene expression level of IL-1α, SRD5A1, TNFα (0.3815, P = 0.0254; 0.3418, P = 0.0271; 0.1997, P = 0.0623). CONCLUSIONS: Both herbal extracts demonstrated strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity in this preliminary trial. In conclusion, the topical application of these botanical extracts can be good candidates for local acne treatment.

Proprietary Herbal Extract Downregulates the Gene Expression of IL-1α in HaCaT Cells: Possible Implications Against Nonscarring Alopecia.

BACKGROUND: Currently while, topical minoxidil and oral finasteride are the only medications approved in androgenetic alopecia (AGA), the cause oriented treatment and immunsupressive treatment are being performed in telogen effluvium (TE) and alopecia areata (AA) respectively. Considering the inflammatory factors in the pathogenesis of these three nonscarring alopecia forms, we have formulated a mixture for topical usage composed of six different herbal extracts (HE) which have already known antiinflammatory and antioxidant features. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In addition to performing the phytochemical analysis of HE, we detected the gene expression level of IL-1α, the crucial hair loss mediator, for the putative efficacy in nonscarring alopecia. Cell proliferation assay was performed by XTT reagent. After determination of non-cytotoxic concentration, HaCaT cells were treated with HE. RNA isolations were carried out from both non-treated and treated cell groups by using TRI-reagent. Gene expressions of IL-1α and as control GAPDH were determined by RT-qPCR analysis. RESULTS: Results were represented as "IL-1α/GAPDH Fold Change". HE solution caused statistically significant downregulation of IL-1α gene expressions (p<0.0001), compared to untreated control cells. HE treatment ended up with 0.1900 fold change for IL-1α. CONCLUSION: IL-1α is a direct growth inhibitory agent in hair follicles and an important actor in the pathogenesis of AGA , TE, and AA. Considering together the vitamins, flavonoids, and trace elements identified in the phytochemical analyses and downregulation of IL-1α in HaCaT cells, our HE may be an auxiliary agent in the therapy of these three nonscarring alopecia forms.

A proprietary herbal extract against hair loss in androgenetic alopecia and telogen effluvium: a placebo-controlled, single-blind, clinical-instrumental study.

INTRODUCTION: Currently there are only a limited number of drugs available for treatment of androgenetic alopecia and telogen effluvium. However, certain plants and their standardized extracts may provide some clinical benefits against hair loss. We formulated a herbal shampoo and a solution to evaluate their efficacy, safety, and synergy in hair loss. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled, single-blind, clinical and instrumental study for 6 months on 120 subjects with androgenetic alopecia and telogen effluvium, confirmed by pull test and phototricogram. Each subject was examined monthly. At the end of the study, a self-assessment test was carried out. RESULTS: Herbal formulations were found to be more effective in preventing and reducing hair loss than placebo at every assessment point. Anagen/telogen ratios improved significantly in the study group. In addition, concomitant use of the shampoo and solution were found to be more effective than single product use. CONCLUSION: We interpret this eutrophic effect for scalp hair as the final outcome of the entire content of our herbal formula, which has antiandrogenic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, angiogenic, and hair-stimulating features. In combination, these features help prevent hair from falling out and reducing hair loss.

Quantitative analysis of the amygdala, thalamus and hippocampus on magnetic resonance images in paediatric bipolar disorders and compared with the children of bipolar parents and healthy control.

MR imaging studies in paediatric bipolar disorder have particularly focused on the amygdala and hippocampus, subcortical structures, and to a lesser extent on the thalamus. The purpose of this study was to perform structural analysis of the regions of interest (ROI) associated with mood regulation. In this study 18 children (between the ages of 12-18) were matched according to their age and sex and were divided into three groups. These were: a paediatric bipolar disorder group, risk group and a healthy control group. The structured diagnostic interviews were performed with children and their parents. T1 weighted MR images in the sagittal plane with a thickness of 1mm were taken from the subjects. Automatic structural brain analysis was performed, and the volume and volume fraction (VF) of the ROIs were obtained. Brain size in the patients with paediatric bipolar disorder (742.4 ± 110.1cm3) was significantly smaller than the healthy control group (880.7 ± 73.8cm3) (p≤0.05). MRI analysis between the paediatric bipolar disorder, risk group and healthy control group revealed no difference between them in terms of amygdala, thalamus or hippocampal volumes. In this study, there was no difference between the volumes of amygdala, thalamus or hippocampus.

Effect of Ficus carica leaf extract on the gene expression of selected factors in HaCaT cells.

BACKGROUND: Ficus carica Linn. (Fc), common fig, has been traditionally used for many metabolic, cardiovasculary, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and skin disorders. Several studies were performed showing its anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic, anticancerogenic, and tissue-protective effects. In all of those studies, the positive effects of Fc were concluded as the result of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory features due to the polyphenols it contains. AIMS: To study the phenolic compounds of Fc extract and to investigate the molecular basis of anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic, antimitotic, and anti-androgenic effects of Fc leaf extract in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The gene expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a), interleukin 1-alpha (IL-1a), and 5 alpha-reductase type II (SRD5A2) were tested in human keratinocyte cells (HaCaT) by RT-qPCR. RESULTS: The gene expression analysis showed that the plant extract caused statistically significant downregulation of VEGF, TNF-a, IL-1a, and SRD5A2 compared to the untreated cells. DISCUSSION: These preliminary results of this in vitro study may partially explain the clinical success of Fc in the traditional medicine. CONCLUSION: Topical Fc leaf extract may be beneficial for some inflammatory disorders and androgen-dependent disorders of the skin such as androgenetic alopecia.

Chondroprotective effects of a new glucosamine combination in rats: Gene expression, biochemical and histopathological evaluation.

AIMS: This study investigates the effect of a new combination of glucosamine hydrochloride, chondroitin sulfate, methylsulfonylmethane, Harpagophytum procumbens root extract (standardized to 3% harpagoside) and bromelain extract (GCMHB) on formalin-induced damage to cartilage tissue in the rat knee joint and evaluates this combination in comparison with another combination of glucosamine hydrochloride, chondroitin sulfate and methylsulfonylmethane (GKM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Animals in the control group were injected with formalin into the knee joint (FCG). Animals in the GCMHB-500 group were given 500mg/kg GCMHB+formalin, and those in the GKM-500 group were given 500mg/kg GKM+formalin. Finally, a healthy group (HG) was also used. GCMHB and GKM were administered to rats orally once a day for 30days. At the end of this period, the rats were sacrificed and the levels of MDA, NO, 8-OH/Gua, and tGSH in the knee joint tissue were measured. Analysis of IL-1ß and TNF-α gene expression was done and the tissue was evaluated histopathologically. KEY FINDINGS: MDA, NO and 8-OH/Gua levels and IL-1ß and TNF-α gene expression were significantly lower in the GCMHB-500 group compared to the FCG group, whereas tGSH was significantly higher in the GCMHB-500 group than in the FCG group. No significant difference was found for the IL-1ß, TNF-α and oxidant/antioxidant parameters between the GKM and FCG groups. The histopathological analysis showed that GCMHB could prevent damage to the cartilage joint, whereas GKM could not. SIGNIFICANCE: GCMHB may be used clinically by comparing with GKM in the treatment of osteoarthritis.