Fluorescent microscopy evaluation of diode laser effect on the penetration depth of turmeric (Curcuma longa) extract cream on skin tissues of Wistar rats.

The study investigates the effect of diode laser exposure on curcumin's skin penetration, using turmeric extraction as a light-sensitive chemical and various laser light sources. It uses an in vivo skin analysis method on Wistar strain mice. The lasers are utilized at wavelengths of 403 nm, 523 nm, 661 nm, and 979 nm. The energy densities of the lasers are 20.566 J/cm2, 20.572 J/cm2, 21.162 J/cm2, and 21.298 J/cm2, which are comparable to one another. The experimental animals were divided into three groups: base cream (BC), turmeric extract cream (TEC), and the combination laser (L), BC, and TEC treatment group. Combination light source (LS) with cream (C) was performed with 8 combinations namely 523 nm ((L1 + BC) and (L1 + TEC)), 661 nm ((L2 + BC) and (L2 + TEC)), 403 nm ((L3 + BC) and (L3 + TEC)), and 979 nm ((L4 + BC) and (L4 + TEC)). The study involved applying four laser types to cream-covered and turmeric extract-coated rat skin, with samples scored for analysis. The study found that both base cream and curcumin cream had consistent pH values of 7-8, within the skin's range, and curcumin extract cream had lower viscosity. The results of the statistical analysis of Kruskal-Wallis showed a significant value (p < 0.05), which means that there are at least two different laser treatments. The results of the post hoc analysis with Mann-Whitney showed that there was no significant difference in the LS treatment with the addition of BC or TEC when compared to the BC or TEC treatment alone (p > 0.05), while the treatment using BC and TEC showed a significant difference (p < 0.05). Laser treatment affects the penetration of the turmeric extract cream into the rat skin tissue.

Histomorphometric study of ethanolic extract of Graptophyllum pictum (L.) Griff. leaves on croton oil-induced hemorrhoid mice: A Javanese traditional anti-hemorrhoid herb.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY RELEVANCE: Graptophyllum pictum (L.) Griff., known as "handeuleum" in West Java and "Daun Ungu" in Indonesia, is traditionally used to cure hemorrhoids. AIM OF THE STUDY: The purpose of this study is to prove its effectiveness scientifically using anorectal histological parameters in Croton oil-induced hemorrhoid mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vivo tests were performed by observing histomorphologic changes in mice anorectal tissue induced by croton oil. In addition, in vitro assay was performed for evaluating antioxidant activity, astringency property, and hemostasis-associated activity. The antioxidant activity was measured using a DPPH radical scavenging assay. The total flavonoid and phenolic contents were also determined spectrophotometrically. RESULTS: The in vivo assay showed that the oral-topical combination use of the ethanolic extract of G. pictum leaves demonstrated significant improvement on the croton oil-induced anorectal damage better than the single application by oral or topical application. CONCLUSION: These results showed that G. pictum has potent anti hemorrhoid activity, especially for the combinational use of oral and topical administration.

Assessment of Topical and Transdermal Penetration of Curcuma heyneana Rhizome Extract in Rat Skin: Histological Analysis.

Currently, there are increasing numbers of dermal and transdermal dosage forms of both natural and synthetic compounds on the market. Therefore, it is necessary to have a method that can measure the release and penetration of the compound into the skin. This chapter presents a current method for evaluating the skin penetration of a Curcuma heyneana rhizome extract in vivo using histological parameters. We also evaluate a liposome delivery system of the same extract to determine any differences in penetration due to changes in the drug delivery system.

Bisindole alkaloids from Voacanga grandifolia leaves.

Two new bisindole alkaloids, 12'-O-demethyl-vobtusine-5-lactam and isovobtusine-N-oxide (1 and 2), were isolated from the leaves of Voacanga grandifolia, together with two known bisindole alkaloids. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR data. 1 and 2 showed potent antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 and very low cytotoxic activity against a human cell line, HepG2 cells.

Histomorphometric Analysis of Anti-Aging Properties on Rat Skin.

We present a histomorphometric analysis to enable quantitative measurement of anti-aging activity of topical substances in rat skin. In this method, the measured parameters were closely related to changes that occur on the skin caused by exposure to UV light. We used this protocol to determine the anti-aging activities of an ethanolic extract of Curcuma heyneana rhizome and retinoic acid by a measurement of the changes in epidermal thickness, the number of sunburned cells, the number of fibroblasts, and the space between collagen fibers.

The Impact of Herbal Products in the Prevention, Regeneration and Delay of Skin Aging.

Skin aging is a complex process induced by intrinsic and extrinsic factors and causes alterations to the structural and functional aspects of the skin. Skin aging affects patients physically and physiologically. Understanding the process of skin aging can provide new knowledge on how to attenuate or reduce skin disorder symptoms. Herbs have been used for ages to prevent and treat skin aging, yet there are growing interests by researchers in this field globally. Various strategies have been developed for improving the quality and effectivity of herbal skin care products, both for topical and oral applications. This review will provide an overview of the relationship between herbal skin care products and the skin aging process.

Anti-aging properties of Curcuma heyneana Valeton & Zipj: A scientific approach to its use in Javanese tradition.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Temu giring, the rhizome of Curcuma heyneana Valeton & Zipj (C. heyneana), is native to tropical regions, especially in Indonesia. It is traditionally used as a skin care, for cosmetic and body freshness, in Javanese and Balinese women, and has many other bioactivities such as antioxidant, anticancer and antiinflammatory. AIM OF THE STUDY: The purpose of this study was to determine the antiaging activity of C. heyneana to prove its traditional use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The antioxidant activity was determined using the DPPH free radical method, and anti-aging activity was examined using in vitro assays such as tyrosinase inhibitor and collagenase inhibitor. In vivo tests were performed by observing histomorphologic changes in rat skin exposed to Ultraviolet (UV) rays. The total curcuminoid contents and chromatographic profiles were determined by Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) - densitometry. RESULTS: In all in vitro assays, all of the extracts showed a dose-dependent manner in the final concentration range from 62.5 to 500 µg/mL for DPPH assay and 31.25 to 250 µg/mL for tyrosinase inhibition and collagenase inhibition assay. Curcuminoid (CUR), the active principle of Curcuma genus shows antioxidant, tyrosinase inhibitor and collagenase inhibitor activity greater than all C. heyneana extracts. The in vivo assay results showed that the topical application of the crude extract of C. heyneana produced significant improvement effects on the UV-induced skin structure damage. The total CUR content was correlated with the anti-aging activity of Curcuma heyneana. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that C. heyneana contains antioxidant compounds and has potent anti-aging activity, indicating that it can be used as an anti-aging drug candidate or as a phyto-cosmeceutical.

Sanjecumins A and B: new limonoids from Sandoricum koetjape.

Two new limonoids, sanjecumins A (1) and B (2), have been isolated from the leaves of Sandoricum koetjape, together with sandoripins A (3) and B (4). Their structures and absolute configurations were elucidated on the basis of NMR and CD data. Sandoripins A (3) and B (4) moderately inhibited nitric oxide production in mouse macrophage-like cell line J774.1 stimulated by lipopolysaccharide.

Alstiphyllanines I-O, ajmaline type alkaloids from Alstonia macrophylla showing vasorelaxant activity.

Seven new ajmaline type alkaloids, alstiphyllanines I-O (1-7) were isolated from the leaves of Alstonia macrophylla together with six related alkaloids (8-13). Structures and stereochemistry of 1-7 were fully elucidated and characterized by 2D NMR analysis. A series of alstiphyllanines I-O (1-7) as well as the known ajmaline type alkaloids (8-13) showed that they relaxed phenylephrine (PE)-induced contractions against rat aortic ring. Among them, vincamedine (10) showed potent vasorelaxant activity, which may be mediated through inhibition of Ca(2+) influx through voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels (VDCs) and/or receptor-operated Ca(2+) channels (ROCs) as well as partially mediated the NO release from endothelial cells. The presence of substituents at both N-1 and C-17 may be important to show vasorelaxation activity.

Melidianolic acid A and B, new antimalarial acyclic diterpenes from Aphanamixis grandifolia.

Two new acyclic diterpenes, melidianolic acids A (1) and B (2), have been isolated from the bark of Aphanamixis grandifolia. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic and chemical methods. Melidianolic acids A (1) and B (2) showed antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 with IC50 of 6.1 and 7.3 microg/mL, respectively.

Inhibitors of nitric oxide production from Stemona javanica.

In our screening program for bioactive natural products from our library of tropical plants, the extract prepared from the roots of Stemona javanica inhibited NO production in mouse macrophage-like cell line J774.1 stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Bioassay-guided fractionation of the extract from S. javanica led to the isolation of two active compounds, stemofoline (1) and stemanthrene C (2). The inhibition mechanism of 1 was proposed to suppress iNOS expression in J774.1 cells stimulated by LPS, whereas that of 2 was due to potent radical scavenging activity resulting in NO inhibitory activity.

Biscarpamontamines A and B, an aspidosperma-iboga bisindole alkaloid and an aspidosperma-aspidosperma bisindole alkaloid, from Tabernaemontana sphaerocarpa.

Two new bisindole alkaloids, biscarpamontamine A (1), possessing an aspidosperma-iboga-type skeleton, and biscarpamontamine B (2), having an aspidosperma-aspidosperma-type skeleton, were isolated from stems of Tabernaemontana sphaerocarpa, and their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data analysis. The absolute configuration of biscarpamontamine B (2) was established by comparison of its CD spectrum and with that of vobtusine (3). Biscarpamontamine B (2) showed potent cytotoxicity against various human cancer cell lines.