Influence of some plant extracts on the transdermal absorption and penetration of marker penetrants.

CONTEXT: Plant extracts are commonly used in a number of cosmetics and topical pharmaceuticals. The effects on such extracts on the subsequent dermal absorption and penetration of other cosmetic ingredients needs to be evaluated. OBJECTIVE: This study demonstrates the effect of some natural extracts routinely found in cosmetics on the dermal absorption and penetration of marker penetrants. METHODS: Aqueous ethanolic extracts of Gingko biloba, Lavendula angustifolia, Rosmarinus officinale, Mentha piperita, Matricaria recutita, Persea Americana, Avena sativa, Zingiber officinale were prepared. 14C-caffeine and 14C-salicylic acid were topically dosed with either 10% solutions of natural extracts or ethanol (control) using a flow through in vitro porcine skin diffusion system. Samples were analyzed with liquid scintillation counter. The parameters of flux, permeability, and percent dose absorbed/retained were calculated and compared. RESULTS: The dermal absorption of 14C-caffeine was significantly higher (p ≥ 0.05) with avocado, chamomile, ginger and peppermint extract as compared to the control ethanol; while dermal absorption of 14C-salicylic acid was significantly greater with ginkgo and chamomile extract as compared to ethanol. Over four fold increase in flux and permeability of caffeine with avocado extract was observed while chamomile and peppermint extracts increased the flux and permeability of caffeine over three fold. Gingko and chamomile extracts increased salicylic acid's flux and permeability by two fold. Sum of %dose skin residue + %absorption in receptor fluid for different extracts exhibited the similar trend as shown by flux and permeability. The other natural extracts tested did not produce statistically significant effects on dermal penetration parameters for both caffeine and salicylic acid (p ≥ 0.05). CONCLUSION: These results emphasize the influence of natural plant extracts on the transdermal penetration of hydrophilic (caffeine) and hydrophobic (salicylic acid) penetrants and thus warrants the consideration as to their safety in cosmetics and topical pharmaceuticals containing natural extracts.

Vitamin D and/or calcium deficient diets may differentially affect muscle fiber neuromuscular junction innervation.

INTRODUCTION: There is evidence that supports a role for Vitamin D (Vit. D) in muscle. The exact mechanism by which Vit. D deficiency impairs muscle strength and function is not clear. METHODS: Three-week-old mice were fed diets with varied combinations of Vit. D and Ca2+ deficiency. Behavioral testing, genomic and protein analysis, and muscle histology were performed with a focus on neuromuscular junction (NMJ) -related genes. RESULTS: Vit. D and Ca2+ deficient mice performed more poorly on given behavioral tasks than animals with Vit. D deficiency alone. Genomic and protein analysis of the soleus and tibialis anterior muscles revealed changes in several Vit. D metabolic, NMJ-related, and protein chaperoning and refolding genes. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that detrimental effects of a Vit. D deficient or a Vit. D and Ca2+ deficient diet may be a result of differential alterations in the structure and function of the NMJ and a lack of a sustained stress response in muscles. Muscle Nerve 54: 1120-1132, 2016.