Starch microsponges for enhanced retention and efficacy of topical sunscreen.

Topical sunscreen products are universally applied by numerous individuals to protect their skin from the detrimental effects of UV radiation. However, lately, studies have revealed the risks associated with percutaneous absorption of UV filters leading to undesirable systemic side effects such as hormonal disturbances and allergies. In this study, an innovative sunscreen formulation was developed based on starch microsponges as a key carrier encapsulating an organic sunscreen benzophenone­3. The developed starch microsponges were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and nitrogen adsorption/desorption analysis. The results showed that starch microsponges possessed a high BET surface area (85.45 m2/g) with spherical porous morphology with pore size <200 nm. Benzophenone­3 was loaded into the starch microsponges by immersion/solvent evaporation and benzophenone­3 loaded starch microsponges were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and nitrogen adsorption-desorption measurements. Results corroborated that benzophenone­3 was successfully entrapped within the nanopores of starch microsponges. A starch microsponge based sunscreen cream was formulated, characterized and clinically tested. Rheological, texture and sensorial assessment showed that starch microsponges based sunscreen product showed good spreadability, non-sticky, rich texture favorable for consumer usage. In vitro and ex-vivo studies demonstrated benzophenone­3 loaded starch microsponges gave improved photoprotection, higher SPF and reduced cutaneous penetration compared to raw benzophenone­3 cream. Clinically, patch study confirmed that the developed starch microsponges based sunscreen cream was skin safe and biocompatible. Thus, the amalgamation of sunscreen molecule benzophenone­3 into starch microsponges produced a safe, effective innovative sunscreen product.

Porous microscaffolds for 3D culture of dental pulp mesenchymal stem cells.

The collective power of stem cells due to their evident advantages is incessantly investigated in regenerative medicine to be the next generation exceptional remedy for tissue regeneration and treatment of diseases. Stem cells are highly sensitive and a 3D culture environment is a requisite for its successful transplantation and integration with tissues. Porous microscaffolds can create a 3D microenvironment for growing stems cells, controlling their fate both in vitro and in vivo. In the present study, interconnected porous PLGA microscaffolds were fabricated, characterized and employed to propagate human dental pulp mesenchymal stem cells (DPMSCs) in vitro. The porous topography was investigated by scanning electron microscopy and the pore size was controlled by fabrication conditions such as the concentration of porogen. DPMSCs were cultured on microscaffolds and were evaluated for their morphology, attachment, proliferation, cell viability via MTT and molecular expression (RT-PCR). DPMSCs were adequately proliferated and adhered over the microscaffolds forming a 3D cell-microscaffold construct. The average number of DPMSCs grown on PLGA microscaffolds was significantly higher than monolayer 2D culture during 5th and 7th day. Moreover, cell viability and gene expression results together corroborated that microscaffolds maintained the viability, stemness and plasticity of the cultured dental pulp mesenchymal stem cells. The novel porous microscaffold developed acts as promising scaffold for 3D culture and survival and transplantation of stem cells for tissue engineering.

Transungual permeation: current insights.

Nail disorders are beyond cosmetic concern; besides discomfort in the performance of daily chores, they disturb patients psychologically and affect their quality of life. Fungal nail infection (onychomycosis) is the most prevalent nail-related disorder affecting a major population worldwide. Overcoming the impenetrable nail barrier is the toughest challenge for the development of efficacious topical ungual formulation. Sophisticated techniques such as iontophoresis and photodynamic therapy have been proven to improve transungual permeation. This article provides an updated and concise discussion regarding the conventional approach and upcoming novel approaches focused to alter the nail barrier. A comprehensive description regarding preformulation screening techniques for the identification of potential ungual enhancers is also described in this review while highlighting the current pitfalls for the development of ungual delivery.