The Comparative Efficacy Between Shea Butter-Ceramide Cream and 1% Hydrocortisone Cream in Childhood Atopic Dermatitis

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common chronic eczema in children due to skin barrier dysfunction. Topical non-steroidal antiinflammatory agents such as Butyrospermum parkii (shea butter) and ceramide are developed to target specific defects in skin barrier function in AD patients and to reduce the side effects of topical corticosteroids. Objective: To compare the efficacy of the emollient containing shea butter and ceramide to 1% hydrocortisone in childhood AD. Materials and Methods: The present study was a randomized, double-blind study in 26 children, aged 2 to 18 years, with mild to moderate AD. The patients were randomized to treat twice daily with shea butter and ceramide cream (SC) on one side of the body and 1% hydrocortisone on the other side. The treatment period was eight weeks, with follow-ups on the second, fourth, sixth, and eighth week. The shea butter and ceramide side were applied for eight weeks; while the 1% hydrocortisone side was applied for the first four weeks and changed to cream base for the latter four weeks. The clinical outcomes were evaluated by using SCORAD and POEM at baseline, and on every follow up week. Time to remission, time to relapse, and adverse events were evaluated. Results: The result showed a significant improvement of SCORAD and POEM in both groups after eight weeks of treatment. When comparing the two groups, it was found that SCORAD and POEM were not different. Regarding the median time to remission and the median time to relapse, there was no statistical difference between the two groups of treatments. There were no related adverse events. Conclusion: The emollient containing shea butter and ceramide is effective in the treatment and prevention of relapse in childhood mild to moderate atopic dermatitis. Keywords: Ceramide; Butyrospermum parkii; shea butter; atopic dermatitis

Trends in the Use of Botanicals in Anti-Aging Cosmetics

Botanical ingredients have been used for thousands of years in skincare for their convenience as well as the diversity and abundance in compounds with biological activity. Among these, polyphenols and especially flavonoids have gained increasing prominence due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, the most used botanical preparations in anti-aging products marketed in 2011 were determined. The analysis was repeated in 2018 for new and reformulated products. The scientific evidence for their application as active ingredients in anti-aging cosmetics and their flavonoid content was also compiled by searching in online scientific databases. Overall, in 2018, there was a noticeable increase in the use of botanical preparations in anti-aging cosmetics. However, the top three botanical species in both years were Vitis vinifera, Butyrospermum parkii, and Glycine soja, which is consistent with the greater amount of scientific evidence supporting their efficacy. Regarding the function of botanical preparations, there is a clear preference for DNA-protecting ingredients. The most prevalent flavonoids were flavan-3-ols, proanthocyanidins, and anthocyanins. This study provided an updated overview of the market trends regarding the use of botanicals in anti-aging products and documented the state of the art of scientific evidence for the most used plants.

The Botany of Mungo Park’s Travels in Africa, 1795-1806

Mungo Park journeyed through West Africa during 1795-1797 and 1805-1806. The first journey was ostensibly purely geographical whereas the second journey was geographical plus the examination of British trade possibilities with the interior. His main brief was to discover the source and outlet of the River Niger. On both journeys he departed from the current Gambia, through Senegal and Mali the first time, and on to Niger and Nigeria the second. He was the first European to see the Niger, at Segou (Mali), and noted its eastward flow (prior speculation considered it flowed westwards). Botany was not in his brief but on both journeys he noted the vegetation and its use. He brought new facts to Britain’s intellectual establishment including describing the preparation of indigo dye and its use in spinning and weaving. His ‘discovery’ of the shea butter tree – given the specific epithet Butyrospermum parkii – is his outstanding contribution to botany. He also contributed to science the locust bean Parkia biglobosa and another indigenous multipurpose tree Pterocarpus erinaceus. Many of Park’s plants are important in regional agroforestry systems and continue to provide food and non wood forest products to the benefit of people and livestock.