Paeonol Ameliorates Chronic Itch and Spinal Astrocytic Activation via CXCR3 in an Experimental Dry Skin Model in Mice

Paeonol is a bioactive phenol presents mainly in Paeonia suffruticosa Andr. (Paeoniaceae), Paeonia lactiflora Pall., and Dioscorea japonica Thunb. (Dioscoreaceae), harboring various pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immune regulatory activity and reverse chemoresistance. Recent reports revealed paeonol exhibited good effects on chronic dermatitis, such as atopic dermatitis (AD) and psoriasis. However, whether paeonol is effective for dry skin disease and its mechanism of action still remain unclear. In this study, we analysed the effects of paeonol on a mouse model of dry skin treated with acetone-ether-water (AEW), which showed impressive activities in reducing scratching behavior and skin inflammation. To elucidate the underlying molecular targets for the anti-pruritic ability of paeonol, we screened the expression of possible chemokine pathways in the spinal cord. The expression of CXCR3 was significantly alleviated by paeonol, which increased greatly in the spinal neurons of AEW mice. In addition, treatment of paeonol significantly inhibited AEW-induced expression of astrocyte activity-dependent genes including Tlr4, Lcn2 and Hspb1 et al. The inhibitory effects of paeonol on scratching behavior and astrocytic activation in the spinal cord induced by AEW were abolished when CXCR3 was antagonized or genetically ablated. Taken together, our results indicated that paeonol can ameliorate AEW-induced inflammatory response and itching behavior, and reduce the expression of spinal astrocyte activity-dependent genes induced by AEW, which are driven by CXCR3.

The Role of Transient Receptor Potential A1 and G Protein-Coupled Receptor 39 in Zinc-Mediated Acute and Chronic Itch in Mice

Itching is a common symptom of many skin or systemic diseases and has a negative impact on the quality of life. Zinc, one of the most important trace elements in an organism, plays an important role in the regulation of pain. Whether and how zinc regulates itching is largely unclear. Herein, we explored the role of Zn2+ in the regulation of acute and chronic itch in mice. It is found that intradermal injection (i.d.) of Zn2+ dose-dependently induced acute itch and transient receptor potential A1 (TRPA1) participated in Zn2+-induced acute itch in mice. Moreover, the pharmacological analysis showed the involvement of histamine, mast cells, opioid receptors, and capsaicin-sensitive C-fibers in Zn2+-induced acute itch in mice. Systemic administration of Zn2+ chelators, such as N,N,N′,N′-Tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine (TPEN), pyrithione, and clioquinol were able to attenuate both acute itch and dry skin-induced chronic itch in mice. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) analysis showed that the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of zinc transporters (ZIPs and ZnTs) significantly changed in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) under dry skin-induced chronic itch condition in mice. Activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway was induced in the DRG and skin by the administration of zinc or under dry skin condition, which was inhibited by systemic administration of Zn2+ chelators. Finally, we found that the expression of GPR39 (a zinc-sensing GPCR) was significantly upregulated in the dry skin mice model and involved in the pathogenesis of chronic itch. Together, these results indicated that the TRPA1/GPR39/ERK axis mediated the zinc-induced itch and, thus, targeting zinc signaling may be a promising strategy for anti-itch therapy.

Aplikasi pengendalian hayati untuk penyakit parasitik pada Kerbau Rawa di Desa Tanjung Pering Kecamatan Inderalaya Kabupaten Ogan Ilir

One of the problems that occur in buffalo farms in tanjung pering village is that buffaloes often experience health problems caused by parasites. The results of initial observations showed that livestock showed symptoms such as dry skin, hair loss, loss of appetite, lethargy and finally decreased productivity and even death. This disease often appears during the transition from the rainy season to the dry season. Based on the results of research that has been carried out on faecal samples of swamp buffalo in the villages of tanjung pering and tanjung senai, the identification of the presence of parasite eggs of cestode, nematode and trematode. This activity aims to provide knowledge innovation to the farming community in tanjung pering village about the methods and importance of biological control as an alternative to controlling the spread of parasitic diseases. The methods used in this activity are counseling, training in the form of demonstrations and activity evaluations. The results of the extension activities show that there is an increase in the understanding of farmers about the causes and symptoms of the disease, how to handle and biological control of parasites by using the nematophagus fungus. The conclusion of this activity is the existence of continuous application of disease control using biological agents to suppress livestock populations experiencing parasitic infections.

Effect of Sugar Stick Fascia Therapy on Changes in Face Size and Skin Condition

This study aimed to comparatively analyze changes in facial size and skin condition after sugar stick fascia therapy and manual technique. Selecting 11 people for sugar stick fascia therapy and 11 people for manual technique, their facial size and skin condition were measured three times before care, after four-times of care, and after eight-times of care. The results were evaluated through survey after experiment. First, regarding the differences in each period and group, the sizes of section A and B were more significantly reduced after sugar stick fascia therapy rather than manual technique, which showed the face downsizing effect (p<.05). Second, regarding the differences in each period, the sugar stick fascia therapy significantly increased moisture and elasticity. Regarding the differences in each group, the moisture was more significantly increased after eight times of sugar stick fascia therapy than manual technique (p<.05). In the evaluation of results, the face downsizing effect and overall satisfaction were highly shown (p<.01). The sugar stick fascia therapy showed great effects on downsizing the cheeks with lots of muscles, and also showed the remarkable increase in moisture. Thus, the sugar stick fascia therapy could be suggested as an alternative care that could meet the desire for beauty, by utilizing it as a face downsizing program without side effects and a skin care program for dry skin.

Biophysical and Subject-Based Assessment of the Effects of Topical Moisturizer Usage on Xerotic Skin—Part II: Visioscan® VC 20plus Imaging

As new biophysical methods become available to the skin researcher it is important to understand the type of information that they are capable of measuring, and how it relates to consumer perception of topical moisturizing products. The aim of the work presented here was to understand what dry skin imaging can reveal about the skin and subject feedback from the use of a topical moisturizing product and how it relates to the consumer usage experience of a topical product. Images from a dry skin camera—the Visioscan® VC 20plus—during 3 weeks in vivo usage of a topical moisturizing product were analyzed. Subject feedback regarding their skin condition was also collected. Strong statistical improvements (p < 0.05) were observed for a wide range of skin parameters derived from the Visioscan® VC 20plus. Skin scaliness and smoothness and parameters associated with skin health and appearance (surface, energy, contrast, homogeneity) improved as a result of topical product usage. Subjects reported their skin to feel less dry, to be smoother, and more supple and to look and feel healthier after product usage. The length of time until they felt the need to re-apply the product increased during the study

Molecular characterization of xerosis cutis: A systematic review

Background Xerosis cutis or dry skin is a highly prevalent dermatological disorder especially in the elderly and in patients with underlying health conditions. In the past decades, numerous molecular markers have been investigated for their association with the occurrence or severity of skin dryness. The aim of this review was to summarize the molecular markers used in xerosis cutis research and to describe possible associations with different dry skin etiologies. Methods We conducted a systematic review of molecular markers of xerosis cutis caused by internal or systemic changes. References published between 1990 and September 2020 were searched using ‘MEDLINE’, ‘EMBASE’ and ‘Biological abstracts’ databases. Study results were summarized and analyzed descriptively. The review protocol was registered in PROSPERO database (CRD42020214173). Results A total of 21 study reports describing 72 molecules were identified including lipids, natural moisturizing factors (NMFs), proteins including cytokines and metabolites or metabolic products. Most frequently reported markers were ceramides, total free fatty acids, triglycerides and selected components of NMFs. Thirty-one markers were reported only once. Although, associations of these molecular markers with skin dryness were described, reports of unclear and/or no association were also frequent for nearly every marker. Conclusion An unexpectedly high number of various molecules to quantify xerosis cutis was found. There is substantial heterogeneity regarding molecular marker selection, tissue sampling and laboratory analyses. Empirical evidence is also heterogeneous regarding possible associations with dry skin. Total free fatty acids, total ceramide, ceramide (NP), ceramide (NS), triglyceride, total free amino acids and serine seem to be relevant, but the association with dry skin is inconsistent. Although the quantification of molecular markers plays an important role in characterizing biological processes, pathogenic processes or pharmacologic responses, it is currently unclear which molecules work best in xerosis cutis.

Cutaneous Neuroimmune Interactions of TSLP and TRPV4 Play Pivotal Roles in Dry Skin-Induced Pruritus

Dry skin is a symptom of skin barrier dysfunction that evokes pruritus; however, the cutaneous neuroimmune interactions underlying dry skin-induced pruritus remain unclear. Therefore, we aimed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying dry skin-induced pruritus. To this end, an acetone/ethanol/water (AEW)-induced mouse model of dry skin was used in this study. We observed that the production of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) significantly increased in the keratinocytes of AEW mice. Importantly, treatment with an antagonist of transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 4 (TRPV4), HC067047, ameliorated dry skin conditions in AEW mice. The symptoms of dry skin were significantly reduced in Trpv4 knockout (KO) mice following treatment with AEW. The increase in the intracellular calcium levels by TSLP in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of Trpv4 KO mice was also significantly attenuated. The spontaneous scratching bouts were significantly decreased in both the HC067047-treated and Trpv4 KO AEW mice. Importantly, the TSLP-dependent release of tryptase from the mast cells was significantly reduced in both the HC067047-treated mice and Trpv4 KO AEW mice. Notably, inhibition of the TSLP-induced signaling pathway in DRG selectively reduced the spontaneous scratching bouts in AEW mice. Overall, the results demonstrated that the cutaneous neuroimmune interactions of TSLP and TRPV4 play pivotal roles in dry skin-induced pruritus.

Systematic Literature Review: Efektivitas Ekstrak Kopi sebagai Antioksidan dalam Mengatasi Photoaging

Aging of the skin due to exposure of UV rays is referred as photoaging. Photoaging causes dry skin, wrinkles, darker skin pigmentation, and reduced skin firmness. The effect of photoaging can be treated by compounds that have antioxidant activity. Coffee contains polyphenols (caffeic acid and chlorogenic acid) which can inhibit the formation of ROS free radicals. This makes coffee an antioxidant potential in photoaging treatment. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of coffee extract as an antioxidant in photoaging treatment. The method used in this study is Systematic Literature Review. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using the Harzing's Publish or Perish application on several databases, such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and Crossref using the keywords "coffee AND antioxidant AND ultraviolet AND photoaging". The article selection flow used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) protocol. The total search results were 1202 articles, and there were 6 research articles that matched the inclusion and exclusion criteria that had been set. The results of this study concluded that coffee extract can be used as an antioxidant in photoaging treatment. The effectiveness of coffee extract as an antioxidant in photoaging treatment was demonstrated by reducing the expression of MMPs, increasing the expression of type 1 procollage, reducing the area of wrinkles, and reducing TEWL. Coffee leaf extract decreased the expression of MMPs (MMP-1 ¯ 50%, MMP-3 ¯ 10% to 60%, MMP-9 ¯ 30% to 50%) and increased type 1 procollagen 60%. Coffee bean extract decreased the expression of MMPs (MMP-1 ¯ 5% to 60%, MMP-2 ¯ 20% to 60%, MMP-3 ¯ 30%, MMP-9 ¯ 20% to 70%, MMP-13 ¯ 30% to 45%), increased type 1 procollagen 10% to 60%, reduced wrinkle area 20% to 88%, and decreased TEWL 10% to 20%.

Preventive Effects of Phenolic Compound Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) on the Incidence of Hand Foot Syndrome Induced Capecitabine

Hand foot syndrome (HFS) is a reaction that occurs on the skin of the palms and soles. feet, caused by the toxicity of chemotherapy drugs with symptoms such as tingling, pain, erythema, dry skin, swelling, increased pigmentation and itching. This condition is still a problem in the treatment of patients given capecitabine. Although HFS does not cause death, in severe cases it can affect the quality of treatment and interfere with daily activities. The cause of HFS is still unclear but from research it is known that capecitabine and its metabolites will increase the expression of the COX-2 enzyme, inhibit the arachidonic pathway, increase PGE2 activity, causing inflammatory reactions in the form of erythema, edema and pain. The phenolic components contained in EVOO, namely oleocanthal and hydroxytyrosol compounds in several studies have the same properties as celecoxib and ibuprofen as anti-COX-2, will inhibit the arachidonic synthesis pathway, reduce prostaglandin activity and reduce inflammatory reactions.