Effect of Makeup Use on Depressive Symptoms: An Open, Randomized and Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Depression is one of the most disabling diseases globally, with a high disease burden that generates high direct and indirect costs. The incidence of depression is twofold higher in adult women than in men. Biological and psychosocial factors constitute the pathophysiological bases of the condition and due to the complexity of the condition, current understanding is that the "treatment strategy must be multimodal". The objective of this study was to measure the effect of introducing the frequent use of makeup on improving depressive symptoms in adult women of medium-low purchasing power METHODS: Participants with the targeted profile who did not frequently use makeup were selected and randomised to receive (test group) or not (control group) stimuli and makeup products intended for encouraging the frequent use of makeup. The Zung Depression Self-Assessment Scale was used to assess depressive symptoms, with additional assessments on self-image perception using the mirror test and salivary cortisol level. RESULTS: The results demonstrated a sustained reduction in depressive symptoms (8.3 percentage points reduction in the Average Zung Index; P < 0.05), with a significant improvement in self-image perception (25% increase in the average score obtained in the mirror test; P < 0.05) and a specific influence on salivary cortisol levels (55% reduction in salivary cortisol concentration; P < 0.05) after the first makeup application. CONCLUSION: The results show that encouraging the frequent use of makeup, a practice that can be achieved by most people and which is simple and inexpensive to implement, can contribute to effective and sustainable improvement in the well-being and mental health of a significant portion of the population.

A Novel Handrub Tablet Loaded with Pre- and Post-Biotic Solid Lipid Nanoparticles Combining Virucidal Activity and Maintenance of the Skin Barrier and Microbiome.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop a holobiont tablet with rapid dispersibility to provide regulation of the microbiota, virucidal activity, and skin barrier protection. METHODS: A 23 factorial experiment was planned to define the best formulation for the development of the base tablet, using average weight, hardness, dimensions, swelling rate, and disintegration time as parameters to be analyzed. To produce holobiont tablets, the chosen base formulation was fabricated by direct compression of prebiotics, postbiotics, and excipients. The tablets also incorporated solid lipid nanoparticles containing postbiotics that were obtained by high-pressure homogenization and freeze-drying. The in vitro virucidal activity against alpha-coronavirus particles (CCoV-VR809) was determined in VERO cell culture. In vitro analysis, using monolayer cells and human equivalent skin, was performed by rRTq-PCR to determine the expression of interleukins 1, 6, 8, and 17, aquaporin-3, involucrin, filaggrin, FoxO3, and SIRT-1. Antioxidant activity and collagen-1 synthesis were also performed in fibroblast cells. Metagenomic analysis of the skin microbiome was determined in vivo before and after application of the holobiont tablet, during one week of continuous use, and compared to the use of alcohol gel. Samples were analyzed by sequencing the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. RESULTS: A handrub tablet with rapid dispersibility was developed for topical use and rinse off. After being defined as safe, the virucidal activity was found to be equal to or greater than that of 70% alcohol, with a reduction in interleukins and maintenance or improvement of skin barrier gene markers, in addition to the reestablishment of the skin microbiota after use. CONCLUSIONS: The holobiont tablets were able to improve the genetic markers related to the skin barrier and also its microbiota, thereby being more favorable for use as a hand sanitizer than 70% alcohol.

Sodium Salicylate as Feed Additive in Broilers: Absence of Toxicopathological Findings.

Antimicrobial growth promoters (AGPs) in animal production have been related to the increase in multidrug-resistant bacteria. The AGP ban in many countries has highlighted the growing need for alternatives for feed additives. Considering the non-antibiotic anti-inflammatory theory of AGPs, chicks received three different doses of sodium salicylate (SS) in feed (10, 30, 90 mg/kg), basal diet (BD) was used as a negative control, and zinc bacitracin (ZB) was used as a positive control. Chicks were individually housed to increase the accuracy of the dose of SS ingested. Performance parameters and footpad dermatitis were evaluated weekly, while haematology, serum biochemistry, histopathology, and tibial dyschondroplasia were determined on Days 21 and 42. A linear dose-dependent decrease in haemoglobin concentration was observed, but the values were within the normal reference range. Among all the other evaluated parameters, no relevant differences between treatments were observed; however, not even the AGP group performed better than the control group. It is possible that the conditions in which the birds were raised were not stressful enough to allow for anti-inflammatories to demonstrate their beneficial effects on performance. Studies should be conducted where the animals are exposed to commercial conditions, as the presence of natural stressors could allow a better evaluation of the efficacy of the anti-inflammatory agent as a growth promoter.

Association Between Frequent Use of Makeup and Presence of Depressive Symptoms-Population-Based Observational Study, Including 2400 Participants.

INTRODUCTION: The increased prevalence of depression is a global phenomenon, with an estimated 320 million cases worldwide. In Brazil, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that there are about 12 million cases or more, mainly among adult women with lower socioeconomic status, leading to a high consumption of health resources. Studies suggest a positive association of measures related to appearance care on depressive symptoms, but usually with no objective methodology. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of depressive symptoms in adult Brazilian women with lower purchasing power and to verify the association between the intensity of symptoms and the use of makeup. METHODS: A national sample of 2400 cases from all regions of the country, drawn randomly from an online panel representative of the Brazilian population, was studied using an online questionnaire accessible via computer or smartphone, from which the frequency of use of makeup was surveyed, and the Zung Depressive Self-Rating Scale was applied for the inventory of symptoms. RESULTS: A prevalence of 61.4% (0.59-0.63) of depressive symptoms was identified. The association between frequent use of makeup and a lower prevalence of cases with a Zung index suggestive of mild depression was confirmed. Association between frequent use of makeup and lower intensity of depressive symptoms was also identified among cases with a Zung index suggestive of absence of depression. Additionally, an association was identified between the habit of frequent use of makeup and higher economic class as well as the younger age group. CONCLUSION: The results suggest the hypothesis that use of makeup may contribute both to a lower prevalence of mild depression and less expressive symptoms when index of absence of depression is observed.

Development of a Nanotechnology Matrix-Based Citronella Oil Insect Repellent to Obtain a Prolonged Effect and Evaluation of the Safety and Efficacy.

Mosquito-borne diseases affect millions of people worldwide each year, and the use of a topically applied insect repellent is an economically viable preventative health practice. The general objective of this work was to encapsulate citronella oil (CO) in a nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) to formulate a topical repellent with a long duration of efficacy on the skin and a good safety profile based on minimizing skin penetration. In the studied CO, the main chemical constituents of geraniol, citronellal, and citronellol were identified and subsequently used as markers for the in vitro skin permeation testing (IVPT). An optimal NLC encapsulating CO formulation was developed and had an average particle size of 350 nm. The NLC was then formulated in combination with CO at ratios of 2:1, 1:1, and 1:2 CO:NLC-CO as oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions and compared to CO in the same O/W emulsion base (all at 10% CO in the final O/W topical formulation). The markers geraniol, citronellol, and citronellal were detected in all samples tested F1 (10% CO in O/W emulsion) and F3 (10% CO/NLC-CO 1:1 in O/W emulsion). Even the percentages of F3 markers were higher than F1. The recovery of the percentage balance (based on the total remaining on the skin surface, on the skin, and penetrated through the skin to the receptor) of geraniol, citronellol, and citronellal markers for F1 and F3 was 7.70% and 11.96%; 25.51% and 31.89%; and 5.09% and 4.40%, respectively. The nanoparticle lipid solid forms a repellent reservoir on the skin surface, releasing the active ingredients slowly through volatilization, extending the repellent action, and reducing permeation through the skin. It is possible to assume that the remaining 92.30% and 88.03%; 74.49% and 68.11%; and 94.10% and 95.60% of geraniol, citronellol, and citronellal markers of F1 and F3, respectively, were lost to evaporation. In the in vivo efficacy test carried out with the Aedes aegypti mosquito, F3 was the optimal formulation, providing the greatest repellent action compared to free oil in O/W emulsion. Thermal analysis showed that the NLC-CO raised the boiling point of the encapsulated CO compared to the free oil, suggesting that the controlled release of the CO was a possible mechanism for its prolonged effect. We concluded that the nanocarriers developed with CO were stable and provided improved mosquito-repellent efficacy with minimal skin penetration of the CO actives over 24 h. Indeed, regardless of whether the CO was applied as free oil, a 1:1 mixture of CO (pure/free oil) or NLC-CO applied in an O/W emulsion can be considered safe for topical application due to minimal skin penetration.

Flow cytometry as an alternative method to evaluate genotoxicity of natural cosmetic actives.

Alternative in vitro methods are important, as there is a call to ban the use of animals in cosmetics research. AIM: To suggest the expansion of the use of in vitro safety techniques recommended by the OECD guidelines and to propose the use of the automation of the in vitro mammalian micronucleus test method by flow cytometry to assess the genotoxic potential of Centella asiatica, Horse Chestnut, Witch Hazel, Blend, Ecoblend, and Caffeine extracts due to their widespread use in commercial products. METHODS: Flow cytometer analysis was performed using the Accuri™ C6 equipment and analyzed using the FlowJo software. Cytotoxicity tests followed OECD 129 guidelines and Phototoxicity followed OECD/GD 432 guidelines. RESULTS: The results showed that the cytotoxicity assay presented a decrease in cell viability when cells were exposed to Centella asiatica from a concentration of 5.0%, horse chestnut 2.5%, Witch hazel 2.5%, Blend 3.13%, and Caffeine 3%, while Ecoblend at the tested concentrations did not show cytotoxicity. In the phototoxicity test, the samples at the tested concentrations showed a PIF <2 being considered potentially non-phototoxic. Finally, in the genotoxicity automated assay, samples were considered potentially non-genotoxic. CONCLUSION: In vitro methods are of paramount importance for the development of pre-clinical tests and the use of test automation helps to reduce the time for analysis and dissemination of results, being a determining factor for the prospect of new compounds.

Sensory Priming: The olfaction as an attention inducer

Abstract In this study, we investigated the influence of the olfactive stimulus on visual attention. Two groups of 30 subjects participated in two experiments. Both experiments presented two arrays of fruits stimulus intercalated by an olfactive intervention. The stimulus was received in the form of images by the first group and in the form of words by the second group. An eye-tracking device monitored the timekeeping of visual attention dispensed in each stimulus. The results showed that olfactive priming influenced visual attention in both cases but with a greater degree in the images stimulus group. This study shows for the first time that image information is more susceptible to priming olfactive information than wording information. This effect may be associated with the formation of mental images in working memory, aroused by fragrances.

Enhancing the Furosemide Permeability by Papain Minitablets Through a Triple Co-culture In Vitro Intestinal Cell Model.

The administration of medicines by the oral route is the most used approach for being very convenient. Although it is the most popular, this route also has absorption, and consequently, bioavailability limitations. In this sense, several pharmacotechnical strategies have been used to improve drug absorption, one of which is the use of permeation promoters. Papain is a very versatile plant enzyme that can be used as a permeation promoter of various active compounds. This study aimed to evaluate the safety of papain and the formulation of native papain minitablets to promote in vitro permeation of furosemide through an innovative biomimetic triple co-culture model of Caco-2, HT29-MTX, and Raji cells. Regarding permeation, furosemide and metaprolol concentrations are determined with HPLC; those are used to calculate Papp. Monolayer integrity was evaluated using TEER and Lucifer Yellow. In the presence of papain, TEER decreased two-fold and the Papp of furosemide increased six-fold. The results suggest that native papain minitablets can be used as therapeutic adjuvants to enhance the permeation of drugs significantly improving bioavailability.

Urea incorporated into ordered mesoporous silica for potential cosmetic application

Urea's thermal instability and burning on sensitive skin can cause problems for cosmetic formulations. To overcome these drawbacks, urea was incorporated into ordered mesoporous silica (SBA-15). SBA-15 was synthesized using tetraethyl orthosilicate and Pluronic® P123 in an acid medium. Urea (20 wt.%) was incorporated into calcined SBA-15 by the incipient wetness impregnation method. Several techniques were used to characterize the samples. Skin hydration and transepidermal water loss were measured using Corneometer® CM 825 PC and Tewameter® 300 TM. Results showed that the structural properties of SBA-15Urea were similar to pure SBA-15, indicating that SBA-15 remained structured even after urea incorporation. Nitrogen physisorption data showed the volume and surface area of the pores in SBA-15Urea were much lower than those in SBA-15, demonstrating that urea was deposited inside the mesopores. In vivo moisturization studies revealed that SBA-15Urea was not able to reduce transepidermal water loss compared to the other products and control, while forming a non-occlusive surface film on the skin. We conclude that incorporation of urea in the pores of the inorganic SBA-15 matrix is a promising approach to enhancing its stability and providing a prolonged moisturizing effect.

UVA and UVB formulation phototoxicity in a three-dimensional human skin model: Photodegradation effect.

In vitro three-dimensional human skin models are an innovative alternative to evaluate cytotoxicity and phototoxicity in the cosmetic industry. The aim of this study was to use a skin model to evaluate the potential toxicity of sunscreen formulations with or without exposure to UV radiation. In addition, the toxicity of these formulations was evaluated after exposure to photodegradation. The results showed toxicity with all formulations/conditions tested, including the control formulation, compared to PBS. Cell viability of photodegraded formulations - prior to the phototoxicity radiation process - was higher, indicating that some formulation components were degraded into products with reduced toxicity. The results also indicated that avobenzone was more unstable/toxic than octyl p-methoxycinnamate under the same test conditions. The sunscreens and their formulations were shown to be toxic to skin model cells to some extent, even when not exposed to UV irradiation; however the biological role of this toxicity is unclear. This result shows the importance of testing sunscreen formulations in real in-use conditions. Finally, since we used an in vitro assay based on a human cell model, this non-invasive technique represents a suitable alternative to animal models for phototoxicity tests in general and could have application in screening new sunscreen products.

Development and Evaluation of Lipid Nanoparticles Containing Natural Botanical Oil for Sun Protection: Characterization and in vitro and in vivo Human Skin Permeation and Toxicity.

The use of sunscreen products is widely promoted by schools, government agencies, and health-related organizations to minimize sunburn and skin damage. In this study, we developed stable solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) containing the chemical UV filter octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC). In parallel, we produced similar stable SLNs in which 20% of the OMC content was replaced by the botanical urucum oil. When these SLNs were applied to the skin of human volunteers, no changes in fluorescence lifetimes or redox ratios of the endogenous skin fluorophores were seen, suggesting that the formulations did not induce toxic responses in the skin. Ex vivo (skin diffusion) tests showed no significant penetration. In vitro studies showed that when 20% of the OMC was replaced by urucum oil, there was no reduction in skin protection factor (SPF), suggesting that a decrease in the amount of chemical filter may be a viable alternative for an effective sunscreen, in combination with an antioxidant-rich vegetable oil, such as urucum. There is a strong trend towards increasing safety of sun protection products through reduction in the use of chemical UV filters. This work supports this approach by producing formulations with lower concentrations of OMC, while maintaining the SPF. Further investigations of SPF in vivo are needed to assess the suitability of these formulations for human use.

Estudo de propriedades físico-químicas envolvidas no processo de compactação de uma formulação experimental contendo zidovudina / Study of physical-chemical properties involved in the compaction process of an experimental formulation containing zidovudine

Estudo das propriedades físico-químicas envolvidos no processo de compactação de uma formulação experimental contendo como fármaco modelo a zidovudina. O objetivo foi caracterizar o comportamento físico-químico de comprimidos produzidos por compressão direta usando-se diferentes pressões de compactação. Nas análises foram empregadas metodologias convencionais e não convencionais. A metodologia não convencional foi o uso da técnica da atenuação de raios-gama na determinação da porosidade. As metodologias convencionais utilizadas foram os testes de friabilidade, dureza e dissolução. Os modelos teóricos utilizados para explicar o comportamento físico-químico da formulação sob compressão são os proposto por Heckel e Walker. Os estudos mostraram que o processo de densificação é governado principalmente por deformações do tipo plásticas e pressões em torno de 246MPa são suficientes para induzir deformação plástica e consolidação do sistema compactado. Os resultados da análise de Walker indicam que a formulação tem propriedades de compressão que podem ser melhoradas.

This paper presents a study of the physical-chemical properties involved in powder compaction of an experimental formulation containing as model drug the zidovudine. The aim of this work was to characterize the physical-chemical behavior of experimental tablets produced by direct compression applying different strengths. In these analyses were employed conventional and non-conventional methodologies. The non-convectional methodology was the use of gamma-ray attenuation technique for tablet porosity determination. The conventional methodologies used were the tests of hardness, friability and dissolution. The theoretical models used to explain the physical-chemical behavior of the formulation under compression were those proposed by Heckel and Walker. These tests showing that the densification process is to take mainly by plastic deformation and pressures about 246 MPa are enough to produce robust tablets. Results obtained from the analysis of the Walker equation, indicate that the formulation has compression properties that could be improved.

Physicochemical and dissolution profile characterization of pellets containing different binders obtained by the extrusion-spheronization process

With the purpose of evaluating the behavior of different polymers employed as binders in small-diameter pellets for oral administration, we prepared formulations containing paracetamol and one of the following polymers: PVP, PEG 1500, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and methylcellulose, and we evaluated their different binding properties. The pellets were obtained by the extrusion/spheronization process and were subsequently subjected to fluid bed drying. In order to assess drug delivery, the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) apparatus 3 (Bio-Dis) was employed, in conjunction with the method described by the same pharmacopeia for the dissolution of paracetamol tablets (apparatus 1). The pellets were also evaluated for granulometry, friability, true density and drug content. The results indicate that the different binders used are capable of affecting production in different ways, and some of the physicochemical characteristics of the pellets, as well as the dissolution test, revealed that the formulations acted like immediate-release products. The pellets obtained presented favorable release characteristics for orally disintegrating tablets. USP apparatus 3 seems to be more adequate for discriminating among formulations than the basket method.

Com a finalidade de se avaliar o comportamento de diferentes polímeros empregados como aglutinantes em pellets de pequeno diâmetro para uso oral foram preparadas formulações contendo paracetamol e um dos seguintes polímeros: PVP, PEG 1500, hidroxipropilmetilcelulose e metilcelulose por apresentarem diferentes propriedades aglutinantes. Os pellets foram obtidos pelo processo de extrusão/esferonização e secagem em leito fluidizado. Para avaliar a liberação do fármaco, empregou-se o método 3 da Farmacopeia Americana, também conhecido como Bio-Dis e o método preconizado pela mesma farmacopeia para comprimidos de paracetamol. Os pellets foram avaliados, ainda, com relação à granulometria, friabilidade, densidade verdadeira e teor. Os resultados indicaram que os diferentes aglutinantes empregados são capazes de afetar a produção e algumas das características físico-químicas dos pellets e o ensaio de dissolução revelou que as formulações comportam-se como produtos de liberação imediata. Os pellets obtidos apresentaram características de liberação favoráveis para a obtenção de comprimidos de liberação instantânea. O aparato 3 da Farmacopeia Americana demonstrou ser um método com melhor capacidade discriminatória entre as formulações, quando comparado com o método da cesta.

Porosity measurement of solid pharmaceutical dosage forms by gamma-ray transmission.

The aim of the present work is the determination of porosity in tablets by using the gamma-ray transmission technique. Tablet dissolution depends on some inherent characteristics of the manufacturing process, such as compression force, tablet volume, density and porosity, nature of excipients, preparation methods and its physical-chemical properties. Porosity is a measure of empty spaces in a material and can be determined by various techniques. In this paper, we propose the use of a gamma-ray transmission technique to obtain the porosity of experimental formulation of tablets. The results of porosity were compared with those obtained by using conventional methodology (density and mercury intrusion). The experimental setup for gamma-ray transmission consists of a gamma-ray source of (241)Am (photons of 59.6 keV and an activity of 3.7 × 10(9)Bq), an NaI(Tl) scintillation detector, collimators and a standard gamma-ray spectrometry electronics. Our results suggest that the gamma-ray transmission technique is a powerful tool for non-destructive porosity quantification of solid pharmaceutical forms and presents smaller errors than those obtained with conventional methodologies.

Thermal characterization and cytotoxicity of complexes formed by papain and cyclodextrin.

Papain is a proteolytic enzyme with restricted applications due to its limited stability. Cyclodextrins are widely used in pharmaceutical formulations once they are able to form complexes with other molecules, improving their stability and bioavailability. The purpose of the present paper was to analyze complexes formed by papain/hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin and papain/beta-cyclodextrin by thermal analysis and cytotoxicity tests to verify their possible interactions and toxicological behavior. Complex solutions were prepared at different molar ratios and collected as a function of time to be lyophilized and analyzed. Results showed changes in endothermic events and cytotoxicity profiles. A complex formation for both complexes is observed; nevertheless, beta-cyclodextrin was able to change the enzyme characteristics more efficiently.

Desenvolvimento e avaliação de formas farmacêuticas sólidas contendo didanosina / Development and evaluationof solid dosage forms with didanosine

A Síndrome da Imunodeficiência adquirida (AIDS) é uma doença de amplo espectro de manifestações, sendo razão de preocupação para qualquer autoridade sanitária. A terapêutica da AIDS é complexa sendo utilizados vários medicamentos, diversas vezes ao dia. Deste modo, objetivou-se o desenvolvimento de formas farmacêuticas sólidas como comprimidos tamponados mastigáveis (CTM), comprimidos com revestimento gastro-resistentes (CRGR) e pellets (PEL) para a veiculação de didanosina (ddl). Seis especialidades farmacêuticas na forma de CTM forma estudadas quanto ao perfil de dissolução, pH do meio e capacidade neutralizante ácida (CNA). Formulações teste de CTM foram propostas visando obter CNAs e perfis de dissolução adequados. Também foram testadas formulações de comprimidos e de pellets para posterior revestimento com filme gastro-resistente derivado do ácido metacrílico. Os ensaios de dissolução das amostras de CTM revelaram diferenças nas características de liberação do fármaco. Também foram observadas diferenças relacionadas a CNA. As formulações de CTM propostas apresentaram, na maioria dos casos, adequados perfis de dissolução e CNA. As formulações CRGR que receberam revestimento gastro-resistente apresentaram perfis de dissolução de ddl adequados, entretanto os comprimidos testados intumesceram em meio ácido, indicando descontinuidade do filme polimérico sobre os comprimidos. Testes para a produção de pellets veiculando ddl mostraram-se adequados quanto à morfologia e dissolução do fármaco, o mesmo sendo observado após o revestimento com filme gastro-resistente

The Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a disease that manifests itself in a myriad of ways. Because of this, the condition has been subject of concern to all sanitary authorities. The treatment of AIDS is complex and many types of medicine are used, many times a day. The objective of the present study was to develop solid pharmaceutical dosage forms such as buffered chewable tablets (CTM), gastro-resistant coating tablets (CRGR) and pellets (PEL) for the loading of didanosine (ddl). Six pharmaceutical specialties in the form of CTM were studied so as to identify the profile of the dissolution, the pH of the environment, and the neutralizing acid capacity (CNA). The use of CTM tests formulations was proposed with the objective of obtaining adequate CNA and dissolution profiles. Different compositions of tablets and pellets were tested for a later addition of gastro-resistant film derived from the methacrylic acid. The experiments on the dissolution of the sample of CTM showed differences in the characteristic of the release of the substance. Differences related to the CNA were also observed. The formulations of the CTM proposed showed to have, in the most number of the cases, both adequate dissolution behavior and CNA. The formulations of the CRGR that had received the gastro-resistant coating showed adequate profile of ddl dissolution; the tested tablets, however, swelled in the acid environment, therefore indicating a lack of continuity of the polymeric film over the tablets. The tests for the production of pellets showed adequate results as to its morphology and dissolution of ddl. The same was observed after coating the pellets with gastro-resistant film.

Quantitative determination of phosphatidylcholine by high performance liquid chromatography using silica column

A fosfatidilcolina é um fosfolipídeo muito utilizado na obtençäo de lipossomas, o que requer alto grau de pureza. Neste trabalho, foi desenvolvido um método qualitativo e quantitativo de CLAE para a determinaçäo da lecitina de ovo e de soja. O método envolveu coluna de sílica, fase móvel de n-hexano/n-propanol/água e detecçäo por UV em 206 nm. O método apresentou reprodutibilidade apropriada e permitiu a quantificaçäo rápida e segura da fosfatidilcolina.