Potential dermatological application on Asian plants

The immunomodulatory activity of Orthosiphon aristatus against atopic dermatitis: Evidence-based on network pharmacology and molecular simulations

Objectives

To explore the potential activity of Orthosiphon aristatus (OA) against atopic dermatitis (AD).

Methods

Phytocompounds from OA were identified through chromatography analysis, then continued to target identification and functional annotation to explore the potential target of OA. Then, network pharmacology from annotated proteins determined protein targets for OA phytocompounds. Protein with highest rank according to the betweenness and closeness algorithm then continued to molecular docking and validated through molecular dynamics analysis.

Results

Chromatography data analysis revealed thirty-six compounds, predominantly classified as carboxylic acid, fatty acyls, and polyphenols. Upon identifying these compounds, network biology-based target identification revealed their potential bioactivity in modulating inflammation in AD. Tumour Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) and Prostaglandin G/H synthase 2 (PTGS2) emerged as the most probable targets based on hub centrality in the protein-protein interaction network. Later, molecular docking analyses highlighted sixteen compounds with good inhibitory activity against these two proteins. Notably, molecular dynamics simulation revealed that three compounds out of the previous sixteen potential compounds were more likely to act as the TNF-α and PTGS2 inhibitor as well as their native inhibitor. Those compounds are (1R,9R)-5-Cyclohexyl-11- (propylsulfonyl)-7,11- diazatricyclo[7.3.1.02,7]trideca- 2,4-dien-6-one, also known as ZINC8297940, as the best TNF-α inhibitor along with dl-Leucineamide and Benazol P as the potential inhibitor of PTGS2.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that OA may exert therapeutic effects against AD by controlling inflammation through TNF-α and PTGS2 signalling pathways.

Histopathological Evaluation of the Healing Process of Standardized Skin Burns in Rabbits: Assessment of a Natural Product with Honey and Essential Oils

Skin burns are one of the most difficult medical problems. Recently, studies have been directed towards development of natural products in order to identify effective and safe remedies. In the present study, we evaluated the efficacy of a natural composite (formulated from honey and essential oils) compared with MEBO® (0.25% β-sitosterol) and DERMAZIN® creams (1% silver-sulfadiazine) in the treatment of thermally induced skin burns. For this purpose, four burn-wounds were created on the back of male New Zealand rabbits (n = 10) using a thermal stamp under the effect of general anesthesia. Each wound represents one of the following groups: non-treated, natural composite-cream, MEBO®-cream, and silver-sulfadiazine treated groups, respectively. Treatments were applied once a day topically until one of these wounds appeared to be healed grossly. The non-treated group received no treatment. Grossly, skin burns have been healed after 28 days of the treatment in all groups except of the non-treated group. The healing efficacy of the natural composite, MEBO® and silver-sulfadiazine creams was quite similar macroscopically. However, microscopically, the epidermal layer of the composite-cream treated group was more mature than those of both MEBO® and silver-sulfadiazine creams treated groups. In conclusion, the tested composite may be a promising effective and inexpensive treatment of skin burns.

The Activity of Combination of Ethanol Extract of Artocarpus lacucha Buch.-Ham and Anredera cordifolia Steenis Leaves to Increase Wound Healing Process on NIH-3T3 Cell Line

AIM: This study aims to determine the effect of the combination of ethanol extract of Artocarpus lacucha Buch.-Ham and Anredera cordifolia Steenis leaves to increase cell proliferation and increase VEGFR-2 expression of NIH-3T3. METHODS: The samples used were Artocarpus lacucha Buch.-Ham and Anredera cordifilia Steenis leaves. The powder of simples was extracted using ethanol 80% with maceration method. The effect of extract combination on proliferation was evaluated using the MTT method. Wound healing assay was established by a cell migration method, and VEGFR-2 expression was determined using RT-PCR. RESULTS: The effect of combination of ethanol extract of Artocarpus lacucha leaves (EEALL) and ethanol extract of Anredera cordifolia leaves (EEACL) on cell proliferation after 24h, 48h and 72h incubation found as viable cells were showed (124.33 ± 0.32%; 128.52 ± 0.41%; 118.35 ± 0.22%). Percent of wound closed after 24 h and 48 h incubation are 64.88 ± 0.90% and 100.00 ± 0.00%, and expression of VEGFR-2 increased from 1 (control) to 1.58 ± 0.02. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that a combination of EEALL and EEACL (37.5 μg/mL−37.5 μg/mL) is effective in increasing cells proliferation and hence wound healing process.

Plant-Derived Antioxidants: Significance in Skin Health and the Ageing Process

Natural substances have traditionally been used in skin care for centuries. There is now an ongoing search for new natural bioactives that not only promote skin health but also protect the skin against various harmful factors, including ultraviolet radiation and free radicals. Free radicals, by disrupting defence and restoration mechanisms, significantly contribute to skin damage and accelerate ageing. Natural compounds present in plants exhibit antioxidant properties and the ability to scavenge free radicals. The increased interest in plant chemistry is linked to the growing interest in plant materials as natural antioxidants. This review focuses on aromatic and medicinal plants as a source of antioxidant substances, such as polyphenols, tocopherols, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, and macromolecules (including polysaccharides and peptides) as well as components of essential oils, and their role in skin health and the ageing process.

Evidence-based nursing intervention to reduce skin integrity impairment in children with diaper dermatitis: A systematic review

Diaper dermatitis often occurs in children. In Indonesia, the guidelines for managing this health problem are issued by each hospital in Indonesia, but there are no guidelines for formal prevention and management released by the Indonesian Health Ministry. This study aimed to propose the Air, Barrier, Cleansing, Diapering, Education (ABCDE) approach as an evidence-based independent nursing intervention to prevent and treat impaired skin integrity, particularly diaper dermatitis, in children by nurses. This systematic review was derived from multiple databases using the following keywords: “child,” “diaper dermatitis,” “diaper-free time,” “air,” "barrier,” “cleansing,” “diaper,” and “education.” From these keywords, 393 articles were collected and then filtered using inclusion and exclusion criteria to obtain the final articles to be analyzed. Thirty-one articles passed the criteria. The study found that the ABCDE approach was effective in preventing and treating diaper dermatitis in children. Its indicators of the approach were preventing or decreasing inflammation, repairing damage to the skin, and preventing reoccurrence. Based on the review and analysis of multiple aspects in Indonesia, the authors proposed a modification of the sequence to CBAD-E to implement the approach in Indonesian children. The intervention of the ABCDE approach matches Indonesian children’s situation, and therefore it can be implemented in Indonesia. Accordingly, this recommendation may be useful and feasible to be implemented by nurses in preventing and treating diaper dermatitis in children, thus decreasing its prevalence.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L., syn Salvia rosmarinus Spenn.) and Its Topical Applications: A Review

Topical application is an important administration route for drugs requiring local action on the skin, thereby avoiding their systemic absorption and adverse side effects. Rosmarinus officinalis L. (syn. Salvia rosmarinus Spenn.), popularly known as rosemary, is an aromatic plant with needle-like leaves belonging to the Lamiaceae family. Rosemary has therapeutic properties and has been used in the folk medicine, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries, mainly for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which are attributed to the presence of carnosol/carnosic and ursolic acids. The therapeutic use of rosemary has been explored for the treatment of inflammatory diseases; however, other uses have been studied, such as wound healing and skin cancer and mycoses treatments, among others. Besides it therapeutic uses, rosemary has potential applications in cosmetic formulations and in the treatment of pathological and non-pathological conditions, such as cellulite, alopecia, ultraviolet damage, and aging. This review aims to critically discuss the topical applications of rosemary found in the literature while also offering relevant information for the development of topical formulations of its bioactive compounds.