Ginger extracts influence the expression of IL-27 and IL-33 in the central nervous system in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and ameliorates the clinical symptoms of disease.

The immunomodulatory effects of the IL-27 and IL-33 and the anti-inflammatory effects of ginger have been reported in some studies. The aim was to evaluate the effects of the ginger extract on the expression of IL-27 and IL-33 in a model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). In PBS-treated EAE mice the expression of IL-27 P28 was significantly lower whereas the expression of IL-33 was significantly higher than unimmunized control mice. In 200 and 300 mg/kg ginger-treated EAE groups the expression of IL-27 P28 and IL-27 EBI3 was significantly higher whereas the expression of IL-33 was significantly lower than PBS-treated EAE mice. The EAE clinical symptoms and the pathological scores were significantly lower in ginger-treated EAE groups. These results showed that the ginger extract modulates the expression of the IL-27 and IL-33 in the spinal cord of EAE mice and ameliorates the clinical symptoms of disease.

Efficacy of sulfasalazine in the treatment of generalized lichen planus: randomized double-blinded clinical trial on 52 patients.

BACKGROUND: Oral sulfasalazine has been reported to be effective in patients with idiopathic cutaneous lichen planus (LP). OBJECTIVES: Our purpose was to evaluate the efficacy of this drug in the treatment of generalized cutaneous lichen planus (GLP). In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of the anti-inflammatory drug sulfasalazine for the treatment of GLP. METHODS: A total of 52 patients with GLP presenting at the outpatient clinic were enrolled in this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, prospective study. Of these patients, 44 completed the period of study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups. One group received placebo and the other was given sulfasalazine maximum 2.5 g/day. The patients were evaluated at the third and sixth weeks of treatment for improvement rate and occurrence of complications. RESULTS: After 6 weeks of treatment, the rate of cutaneous lesions improvement was 9.6% (two patients) in the placebo group and 82.6% (19 patients) in the sulfasalazine group. The improvement rate of pruritus was 14.3% in the placebo group and 91.3% in the sulfasalazine group. Side-effects which were mild and tolerable were detected in 30.7% of patients, but three patients left the study because of side effects. Most of the reported side-effects included gastrointestinal upset and headache. CONCLUSIONS: Statistically, sulfasalazine was more effective than placebo in reducing cutaneous lesions and improving pruritus after 6 weeks of treatment. According to our study, sulfasalazine is a relatively safe and effective treatment option and may be an alternative therapy for the treatment of generalized lichen planus.

Self-inflicted non-healing genital ulcer: a rare form of factitious disorder.

Dermatitis artefacta is a factitious dermatological disorder with many forms of presentation that may occur on any part of the body. A diagnosis of dermatitis artefacta is often reached after rigorous and repeated investigations. Here we present the case of a 49-year-old single man complaining of a 4- month history of ulceration on the dorsal surface of the glans penis. In view of the unusual appearance of the lesion and the negative findings from clinical investigations, a diagnosis of dermatitis artefacta was made and the patient was referred for psychiatric evaluation. He was started on 20 mg/day of citalopram and titrated up to 40 mg/day by the 4th week, leading to complete remission in the following weeks. Thus, although rare, artefactual dermatitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of unusual penile lesions.