Evaluation of cytotoxicity and wound healing activity of Avicennia schaueriana in cream.

Avicennia schaueriana is found in Brazilian mangrove coast. The cytotoxicity in vitro of the Aqueous Extract of Leaves of Avicennia schaueriana (AELAs) and the healing activity of the plant in cream on mice skin wounds were evaluated in this study. The cytotoxic evaluation was performed on Vero cells. The healing activity was evaluated on mice treated during 5, 10 and 15 days with cream at 5%, solution of sodium chloride at 0.9% and dexpanthenol in cream at 5%. The extract did not show cytotoxicity, but showed mitogenic activity (100µg/ml). In morphometric analysis, the percentage of wound contraction after 10 days was higher in dexpanthenol group (93.41%). In 15 days, the lowest percentage of contraction was observed in the dexpanthenol group (94.41%) and the highest in the AELAs cream group (98.50%). In histomorphometry the dexpanthenol showed the lowest length of re-epithelialization in 10 days. In 15 days, the AELAs cream group showed 100% of re-epithelialization. The number of fibroblasts found in AELAs cream group was higher than the saline solution in 10 days. In 15 days, AELAs cream group maintained a higher amount of fibroblasts when compared to the others. A. schaueriana did not show cytotoxicity. Furthermore, topical application of AELAs cream decreased the wound area, stimulated the re-epithelialization and increased the number of fibroblasts. The species A. schaueriana could become a topical treatment in tissue repair process.

Protective effect of conditioner agents on hair treated with oxidative hair dye.

BACKGROUND: Hair coloring is broadly used by women and men either to change their natural hair color or to delay the onset of gray hair. Oxidative dyes may damage the hair, as chemical and physical processes are required to convert the fiber structure and, consequently, alterations in its mechanical and surface properties. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of silanetriol (and) Panthenol, PEG-12 dimethicone, and hydrolyzed silk (and) hydrolyzed milk protein (and) lactose as conditioner agents on hair treated with oxidative hair dye by protein loss, combability, and breaking strength. METHODS: In this research, we analyzed the untreated hair (sample I) and the effect of oxidative hair dye emulsions, with or without conditioner agents (sample II) silanetriol (and) Panthenol (sample III), PEG-12 dimethicone (sample IV), and hydrolyzed silk (and) hydrolyzed milk protein (and) lactose (sample V) on Caucasian hair. The hair samples were submitted to protein loss quantification, breaking strength, and combing analysis. RESULTS: For protein loss, the results were: IIa  = Va  > IVb  > IIIc  > Id . For the breaking strength: Ie  = IIe  = IIIe  = IVe  = Ve . For the combing analysis for wet and dry hair, the results were, respectively: IIa  > IIIb  = IVb  > Vc  > Id and IIA  > IIIb  = Vb  > IV c = Ic . Data classified by different letters presented statistically significant alterations, α = 5, P ≤ . 05, n = 15. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these results, the incorporation of conditioner agents into emulsion blond color decreased the damage caused by the coloring process.

A influência do complexo B e do laser de baixa intensidade no processo de cicatrização de feridas odontológicas / The influence of B complex and low intensity laser in the healing process of dental wounds

Esforços têm sido concentrados na busca de um fármaco que tenha eficácia clínica no processo de cicatrização de feridas odontológicas. O complexo B pode ser importante no processo de cicatrização e reparação porque é constituído por nutrientes necessários às funções fisiológicas normais ou às reações metabólicas específicas. Além disso, a terapia com laser de baixa intensidade modula vários processos biológicos em modelos animais e em humanos, estimulando a síntese de colágeno, promovendo o processo de regeneração do músculo esquelético após injúria, diminuindo a resposta inflamatória, elevando a neoformação de vasos sanguíneos e auxiliando no processo de cicatrização. Desta maneira, é relevante o estudo da influência do complexo B e do laser de baixa intensidade na tentativa de melhorar o processo de cicatrização de feridas odontológicas, aumentando a eficácia clínica. Essa revisão bibliográfica sugere que tanto o laser de baixa intensidade como o complexo B podem aumentar o processo de cicatrização em feridas e procedimentos odontológicos.

Currently, efforts have been concentrated in the search for a drug clinically efficient on healing dental wounds. The B complex may be important in wound healing process since it is composed of nutrients necessary for normal physiological functions or for specific metabolic reactions. The low intensity laser therapy modulates various biological processes in both animals and humans stimulating collagen synthesis, promoting the regeneration process of skeletal muscle injury after injury In addition it reduces the inflammatory response, increasing the formation of new blood vessels and aiding the healing process. Therefore it is important to study the influence of B complex and of low intensity laser aiming to improve the healing process of dental wounds, increasing clinical efficacy. This literature review suggests that both B complex and low intensity laser therapy can improve the healing process of dental wounds and dental procedures.

Effect of ultrasound and dexpanthenol on collagen organization in tegumentary lesions.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of ultrasound (US), dexpanthenol (d-P) and a combination of these treatments (US+d-P) on collagen fiber organization in tegumentary lesions in rats by birefringence analysis. METHODS: Wistar rats (50) were anesthetized (Thionembutal - Sodic = 50 mg/Kg), 1 cm² of dorsal region skin was removed, and the animals were divided into five groups: control (C), gel (G), US (3 MHz, 0.1 W/cm2, 1 minute, continuous), d-P (10%) and US+d-P. After daily treatment for 7 and 14 days, 6 µm thick sections of lesioned areas were stained in picrosirius and measurements of the collagen birefringent area (µm²) were obtained using polarized light microscopy (Zeiss Axiolab-ZEISS- Germany) with histological image analysis software (KS 400 2.0 - Kontrol Eletronics, Munique, Germany). The means were compared by ANOVA followed by the Tukey test (p<0.05). RESULTS: The US+d-P group showed a significantly greater (p ≤ 0.001) birefringent area (1586.43±162.14) than the other experimental groups: C (139.36±35.35), US (317.55±129.9) and d-P (192.41±3657) by the 7th day of treatment, indicating acceleration of the wound healing process. By the 14th day of treatment, the US+d-P, US and d-P groups presented greater birefringence than the control group, but did not differ from each other. CONCLUSION: The combination of treatments (US+d-P) accelerated collagen fiber synthesis and organization in the early stages of cutaneous repair.

Efeito do ultrassom e do dexapantenol na organização das fibras colágenas em lesão tegumentar / Effect of ultrasound and dexpanthenol on collagen organization in tegumentary lesions

OBJETIVO: Analisar o efeito do ultrassom (US), do dexapantenol (d-P) e da associação dos tratamentos (US+d-P) na organização de fibras colágenas na lesão tegumentar em ratos por meio da análise da birrefringência. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados 50 ratos Wistar, anestesiados com Thionembutal Sódico (50mg/Kg), dos quais foi retirado 1cm² de pele da região dorsal, divididos em cinco grupos: controle (C), gel (G), US (3 MHz, 0,1 W/cm², 1 minuto, modo contínuo), d-P (10 por cento) e US+d-P. Após sete e 14 dias de tratamento diário, foram removidos segmentos dessas áreas e obtidos cortes de 6µm de espessura que, posteriormente, foram corados em Picrosirius. Os cortes foram observados em microscopia de polarização utilizando um software responsável pela medida de birrefringência das fibras colágenas (KS400 2.0 - Kontrol Eletronics). As médias das áreas birrefringentes (µm²) de cada grupo foram submetidas à análise de variância pela ANOVA, seguida do teste de Tukey (p<0,05). RESULTADOS: A média de área birrefringente do grupo US+d-P (1586,43±162,14) foi maior (p<0,001) que a dos grupos experimentais (C: 139,36±35,35, US: 317,55±129,9 e d-P: 192,41±36,57) no 7º dia de tratamento, indicando uma aceleração na síntese e organização das fibras colágenas na região lesionada. No 14º dia de tratamento, os grupos US+d-P (2858,47±510,17), US (1779,94±482,78) e d-P (2546,88±304,45) apresentaram área birrefringente maior que a do grupo C, porém não diferiram entre si. CONCLUSÃO: A associação dos tratamentos (US+d-P) acelerou a síntese e a organização das fibras colágenas apenas no estágio inicial de reparo tegumentar.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of ultrasound (US), dexpanthenol (d-P) and a combination of these treatments (US+d-P) on collagen fiber organization in tegumentary lesions in rats by birefringence analysis. METHODS: Wistar rats (50) were anesthetized (Thionembutal - Sodic = 50mg/Kg), 1cm² of dorsal region skin was removed, and the animals were divided into five groups: control (C), gel (G), US (3 MHz, 0.1 W/cm2, 1 minute, continuous), d-P (10 percent) and US+d-P. After daily treatment for 7 and 14 days, 6µm thick sections of lesioned areas were stained in picrosirius and measurements of the collagen birefringent area (µm²) were obtained using polarized light microscopy (Zeiss Axiolab-ZEISS- Germany) with histological image analysis software (KS 400 2.0 - Kontrol Eletronics, Munique, Germany). The means were compared by ANOVA followed by the Tukey test (p<0.05). RESULTS: The US+d-P group showed a significantly greater (p<0.001) birefringent area (1586.43±162.14) than the other experimental groups: C (139.36±35.35), US (317.55±129.9) and d-P (192.41±3657) by the 7th day of treatment, indicating acceleration of the wound healing process. By the 14th day of treatment, the US+d-P, US and d-P groups presented greater birefringence than the control group, but did not differ from each other. CONCLUSION: The combination of treatments (US+d-P) accelerated collagen fiber synthesis and organization in the early stages of cutaneous repair.

A plant-based repellent protects against Tunga penetrans infestation and sand flea disease.

Tungiasis is a parasitic skin disease prevalent in impoverished populations in the tropics and associated with considerable morbidity. Treatment options are limited and prophylaxis has never been attempted. We assessed the effectiveness of a plant-based repellent to prevent infestation with Tunga penetrans and sand flea disease in an urban squatter settlement in Fortaleza, Northeast Brazil. Two cohorts were formed. One cohort started with the intervention while another served as control. The plant-based repellent Zanzarin was applied twice daily on the skin of the feet. After 4 weeks and a wash-out-phase of another 2 weeks, cross-over was performed. Study members were examined twice per week for the presence of newly embedded sand fleas. The number of viable and dead sand fleas and the total number of sand flea lesions were determined. Sentinel rats were used to assess local transmission dynamics. Outcome measures were the number of newly embedded sand fleas per individual per day, number of sand flea lesions per individual according to the stage, as well as type and degree of clinical pathology. Zanzarin applied twice daily on the feet reduced the number of newly embedded fleas by 92% (interquartile range 81-100%), the total number of lesions by 87% (81-98%) and reversed tungiasis-associated clinical pathology almost completely. In conclusion, in a setting in which tungiasis is an important health threat, the daily application of a plant-based repellent prevented the infestation with T. penetrans and sand flea disease.