Polymeric Micelles: A Promising Pathway for Dermal Drug Delivery

Nanotechnology is an area in great development and with application in the most varied fields of science, including cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Because conventional formulations for topical application are not always able to effectively penetrate the physical barrier that human skin exerts against factors and compounds of the external environment, polymeric micelles appear as alternative carriers for drugs and active ingredients delivery, also allowing ingredients with lower solubility and higher lipophilicity to be delivered. In fact, the augmented bioavailability of drugs, greater efficacy even at a lower dose, and selective drug delivery in specific organelles are very interesting advantages of the polymeric micelles usage in cutaneous application. As a consequence, they show a reduction in many of the local and systemic adverse effects, which might lead to an increase in patient compliance to the therapeutics, constituting a promising alternative to conventional topical formulations.

The effect of the cutaneous application of old Kosh'a tuberculin for therapeutic purposes on tuberculosis patients in outpatient pediatric practice

The therapeutic use of tuberculin, as is known, has long occupied a prominent place among many methods of treating tuberculosis. However, the views and assessment of this drug among researchers still strongly diverge: while some authors completely deny the beneficial effect of using this drug, others widely use it, noting the good results obtained at the same time. One cannot but agree that such a disagreement depends a lot on the personality of the researcher himself, on the method of application of the agent, on the severity and stage of the disease, etc.

A multidisciplinary approach for the physic-chemical characterization of peloids to new perspectives in the development for “hydrothermal Developing Countries” using partecipatory methodology

The Osservatorio Termale Permanente (OTP) operated from 1996 to 2014 in the Italian and international therapeutic thermalism field. The main aim of OTP was the development of a multidisciplinary approach for the characterization of the quality of peloids for cutaneous application and their maturation process using different qualitative and quantitative analytic techniques opening at the Integrated Analytical Approach in the field of therapeutic thermalism. The main innovation introduced by OTP were rheology and surface tensiometry applications on peloids. The introduction of surface tensiometry included the skin as a fundamental element for the development of mud therapy protocols based on the bioadhesive properties of peloids. The interfacial investigations between peloids and skin led to the characterization of the exchange activity occurring during pelotherapy on the cutaneous surface in a non-invasive and fast way. On these bases, our work linked each other the multidisciplinarity approach to the study of hydrothermal resources performed by OTP with the concept of the participative methodology commonly applied to the development of projects in the field of development cooperation. This combined approach led us to develop a scientific proposal for the development of therapeutic thermalism in countries not yet improved in this field and characterized by the presence of hydrothermal resources. Keywords: peloid, surface tensiometry, Rossi factor, rheology, Rheological Termal Mud, skin, integrated analytical approach, participative methodology, therapeutical thermal proposal, hydrothermal development countries

Lipid-Based Nanosystems as a Tool to Overcome Skin Barrier

Skin may be affected by many disorders that can be treated by topical applications of drugs on the action site. With the advent of nanotechnologies, new efficient delivery systems have been developed. Particularly, lipid-based nanosystems such as liposomes, ethosomes, transferosomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, cubosomes, and monoolein aqueous dispersions have been proposed for cutaneous application, reaching in some cases the market or clinical trials. This review aims to provide an overview of the different lipid-based nanosystems, focusing on their use for topical application. Particularly, biocompatible nanosystems able to dissolve lipophilic compounds and to control the release of carried drug, possibly reducing side effects, are described. Notably, the rationale to topically administer antioxidant molecules by lipid nanocarriers is described. Indeed, the structural similarity between the nanosystem lipid matrix and the skin lipids allows the achievement of a transdermal effect. Surely, more research is required to better understand the mechanism of interaction between lipid-based nanosystems and skin. However, this attempt to summarize and highlight the possibilities offered by lipid-based nanosystems could help the scientific community to take advantage of the benefits derived from this kind of nanosystem.

Toxicological and Biological Assessment of the Effect of Sapropel of the Prybych Lake during Cutaneous Application in Rats

BACKGROUND: The use of sapropel in balneology, cosmetology, and also products of its processing as an active pharmaceutical ingredient for the creation of medicines requires a mandatory assessment of the degree of toxicity. The toxicological and biological characteristics of sapropel (silt deposits) from the Prybych lake of the Shatsky Lakes group of the Volyn region of Ukraine were based on the results of studies of the functional state of the central nervous system (CNS), autonomic reactions, and structural and functional changes in the internal organs (heart, stomach, liver, and kidneys) of white rats with external use of sapropel. An analysis of acute toxicity, locally irritating, and sensitizing action of sapropaste (a product from sapropel) was also carried out. AIM: This study aimed to conduct of toxicological and biological assessment of the effect of sapropel from the Prybych Lake during cutaneous application in rats to justify the prospects for its further use in balneology, medicine, and for the development of new drugs. METHODS: This study was an in vivo experimental study. As many as, 50 rats were grouped into three treatment groups and two groups of controls. RESULTS: In essence, indicators of locomotor activity and orientation-research behavior of animals do not change (p > 0.5). A stimulating effect on the emotional state of animals, characterized by an increase of grooming duration (p < 0.001), was found. Animals feel calm. A moderate stimulating effect on vegetative reactions manifests itself in a slight increase in urination acts (p < 0.05). Microscopic studies confirmed the absence of the damaging effect of sapropels on the structural and functional state of the organs studied, and signs of increased secretory activity of the gastric mucosa were also noted. CONCLUSIONS: It was experimentally established that the sapropel of the Prybych Lake does not have a harmful or toxic effect on the CNSs functional state and the liver, kidneys, heart, and stomach of rats. Sapropaste does not exhibit sensitizing and locally irritating properties and belongs to the class of practically non-toxic substances (toxicity Class V).

Ethosomes for Coenzyme Q10 Cutaneous Administration: From Design to 3D Skin Tissue Evaluation

Ethosome represents a smart transdermal vehicle suitable for solubilization and cutaneous application of drugs. Coenzyme Q10 is an endogenous antioxidant whose supplementation can counteract many cutaneous disorders and pathologies. In this respect, the present study describes the production, characterization, and cutaneous protection of phosphatidylcholine based ethosomes as percutaneous delivery systems for coenzyme Q10. CoQ10 entrapment capacity in ethosomes was almost 100%, vesicles showed the typical ‘fingerprint’ structure, while mean diameters were around 270 nm, undergoing an 8% increase after 3 months from production. An ex-vivo study, conducted by transmission electron microscopy, could detect the uptake of ethosomes in human skin fibroblasts and the passage of the vesicles through 3D reconstituted human epidermis. Immunofluorescence analyses were carried on both on fibroblasts and 3D reconstituted human epidermis treated with ethosomes in the presence of H2O2 as oxidative stress challenger, evaluating 4-hydroxynonenal protein adducts which is as a reliable biomarker for oxidative damage. Notably, the pretreatment with CoQ10 loaded in ethosomes exerted a consistent protective effect against oxidative stress, in both models, fibroblasts and in reconstituted human epidermis respectively.

Determination of radiation doses to the skin due to 238U and 232Th series for the therapeutic application in the Merzouga sand baths

In this work, we used CR-39 and LR-115 type II solid-state nuclear track detectors to measure 238U, 232Th,222Rn and 220Rn concentrations in Merzouga sand. The measured concentrations of 238U and 232Th in the studied sand samples vary from (332.59±16.62) mBq·cm−3 to (335.54±20.13) mBq·cm−3 and (80.43±4.02) mBq·cm−3 to (84.75±5.08) mBq·cm−3, respectively. We evaluated the radiation doses to the skin from the application of different sand baths by the patients by using a model based on specific alpha-dose and alpha-particle residual energy concepts. The maximum total equivalent dose to the skin due to the 238U and 232Th series from the cutaneous application of different sand baths by patients was found equal to (148.12±11.85) µSv y−1cm−2

Auto-Administered Photobiomodulation on Diabetic Leg Ulcers Treatment: A New Way to Manage It?

Background. Peripheral arterial disease is a dramatic consequence of an uncontrolled diabetic condition causing an increase of morbidity and mortality and its treatment is currently medical or surgical, finally requiring, in the 7–20% of cases, major or minor amputation. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBM) is a laser treatment used in medicine, thanks to its ability to stimulate the wound healing, the acceleration of inflammatory process, and the modulation of pain. Recently, the self-administration of the treatment has been suggested for different purposes in medicine and dentistry with a great number of advantages and no side effects. Methods. A 84-year-old woman affected by diabetes type 2 and positive for diabetes complications had diagnosis for an ulcerative lesion of 1 cm diameter on her right leg and started a treatment of the lesion applying the B-Cure Laser Pro (Erika Carmel, Haifa, Israel) on her own with a fluence per minute of 3.2 J/cm2 for 2 sessions of 15 minutes by cutaneous application. Results. After a week of treatment, the ulcer dried and crusted, finally providing complete healing after 30 days of treatment. Conclusion. With this short case report, we think to add a further contribution by suggesting this kind of treatment for successful management of the leg ulcers in diabetic patients.

Semisolid Dosage

Already in ancient times, semisolid preparations for cutaneous application, popularly known as ointments, played an important role in human society [...]

Prospects for the Use of Medical Clays (Review)

Introduction. The article deals with the aspects of the use of Medical Clays in Pharmaceutical Technology. A review of the traditional areas of application of Medical Clay, as well as highlighting new directions.Text. One of the main problems of domestic industrial pharmacy is a narrow nomenclature of active pharmaceutical substances and excipients. Replenishment of the nomenclature occurs in two ways-through the synthesis of new chemical compounds or through the processing of natural raw materials of animal, plant or mineral origin. In the process of purification and processing of mineral raw materials, Medical Clays are obtained, which are now widely used as active pharmaceutical substances for the production of Enterosorbents, as well as auxiliary substances.Conclusion. A review of perspectives and areas of use of Medicinal Clays have shown that at present, Medical Clays used in the three traditional areas: cutaneous application, application per os, application in pharmaceutical and food technology. A promising direction is the use of Medical Clays as transport drug systems. The study of this information array and its generalization has undoubted practical and scientific significance in modern pharmaceutical technology.