Novel flexible vesicles based topical formulation of levocetirizine: in vivo evaluation using oxazolone-induced atopic dermatitis in murine model

Development of pH-Sensitive hydrogel for advanced wound Healing: Graft copolymerization of locust bean gum with acrylamide and acrylic acid

Wounds pose a formidable challenge in healthcare, necessitating the exploration of innovative tissue-healing solutions. Traditional wound dressings exhibit drawbacks, causing tissue damage and impeding natural healing. Using a Microwave (MW)-)-assisted technique, we envisaged a novel hydrogel (Hg) scaffold to address these challenges. This hydrogel scaffold was created by synthesizing a pH-responsive crosslinked material, specifically locust bean gum-grafted-poly(acrylamide-co-acrylic acid) [LBG-g-poly(AAm-co-AAc)], to enable sustained release of c-phycocyanin (C-Pc). Synthesized LBG-g-poly(AAm-co-AAc) was fine-tuned by adjusting various synthetic parameters, including the concentration of monomers, duration of reaction, and MW irradiation intensity, to maximize the yield of crosslinked LBG grafted product and enhance encapsulation efficiency of C-Pc. Following its synthesis, LBG-g-poly(AAm-co-AAc) was thoroughly characterized using advanced techniques, like XRD, TGA, FTIR, NMR, and SEM, to analyze its structural and chemical properties. Moreover, the study examined the in-vitro C-Pc release profile from LBG-g-poly(AAm-co-AAc) based hydrogel (HgCPcLBG). Findings revealed that the maximum release of C-Pc (64.12 ± 2.69 %) was achieved at pH 7.4 over 48 h. Additionally, HgCPcLBG exhibited enhanced antioxidant performance and compatibility with blood. In vivo studies confirmed accelerated wound closure, and ELISA findings revealed reduced inflammatory markers (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α) within treated skin tissue, suggesting a positive impact on injury repair. A low-cost and eco-friendly approach for creating LBG-g-poly(AAm-co-AAc) and HgCPcLBG has been developed. This method achieved sustained release of C-Pc, which could be a significant step forward in wound care technology.

Multifunctional polymeric nanofibrous scaffolds enriched with azilsartan medoxomil for enhanced wound healing

A prolonged and compromised wound healing process poses a significant clinical challenge, necessitating innovative solutions. This research investigates the potential application of nanotechnology-based formulations, specifically nanofiber (NF) scaffolds, in addressing this issue. The study focuses on the development and characterization of multifunctional nanofibrous scaffolds (AZL-CS/PVA-NF) composed of azilsartan medoxomil (AZL) enriched chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol (CS/PVA) through electrospinning. The scaffolds underwent comprehensive characterization both in vitro and in vivo. The mean diameter and tensile strength of AZL-CS/PVA-NF were determined to be 240.42 ± 3.55 nm and 18.05 ± 1.18 MPa, respectively. A notable drug release rate of 93.86 ± 2.04%, was observed from AZL-CS/PVA-NF over 48 h at pH 7.4. Moreover, AZL-CS/PVA-NF exhibited potent antimicrobial efficacy for Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The expression levels of Akt and CD31 were significantly elevated, while Stat3 showed a decrease, indicating a heightened tissue regeneration rate with AZL-CS/PVA-NF compared to other treatment groups. In vivo ELISA findings revealed reduced inflammatory markers (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α) within treated skin tissue, implying a beneficial effect on injury repair. The comprehensive findings of the present endeavour underscore the superior wound healing activity of the developed AZL-CS/PVA-NF scaffolds in a Wistar rat full-thickness excision wound model. This indicates their potential as novel carriers for drugs and dressings in the field of wound care.

Recent Advances in Nanocarrier-based Approaches to Atopic Dermatitis and Emerging Trends in Drug Development and Design

Atopic dermatitis (AD), commonly known as Eczema, is a non-communicable skin condition that tends to become chronic. The deteriorating immunological abnormalities are marked by mild to severe erythema, severe itching, and recurrent eczematous lesions. Different pharmacological approaches are used to treat AD. The problem with commercial topical preparations lies in the limitation of skin atrophy, systemic side effects, and burning sensation that decreases patient compliance. The carrier-based system promises to eliminate these shortcomings; thus, a novel approach to treating AD is required. Liposomes, microemulsions, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), nanoemulsions, etc., have been developed recently to address this ailment. Despite extensive research in the development method and various techniques, it has been challenging to demonstrate the commercial feasibility of these carrier- based systems, which illustrates a gap among the different research areas. Further, different soft wares and other tools have proliferated among biochemists as part of a cooperative approach to drug discovery. It is crucial in designing, developing, and analyzing processes in the pharmaceutical industry and is widely used to reduce costs, accelerate the development of biologically innovative active ingredients, and shorten the development time. This review sheds light on the compilation of extensive efforts to combat this disease, the product development processes, commercial products along with patents in this regard, numerous options for each step of computer-aided drug design, including in silico pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and toxicity screening or predictions that are important in finding the drug-like compounds.

Challenges of current treatment and exploring the future prospects of nanoformulations for treatment of atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a predominant and deteriorating chronic inflammation of the skin, categorized by a burning sensation and eczematous lesions in diverse portions of the body. The treatment of AD is exclusively focused to limit the itching, reduce inflammation, and repair the breached barrier of the skin. Several therapeutic agents for the treatment and management of AD have been reported and are in use in clinics. However, the topical treatment of AD has been an unswerving challenge for the medical fraternity owing to the impaired skin barrier function in this chronic skin condition. To surmount the problems of conventional drug delivery systems, numerous nanotechnology-based formulations are emerging as alternative new modalities for AD. Latter enhances the bioavailability and delivery to the target disease site, improves drug permeation and therapeutic efficacy with reduced systemic and off-target side effects, and thus improves patient health and promotes compliance. This review aims to describe the various pathophysiological events involved in the occurrence of AD, current challenges in treatment, evidence of molecular markers of AD and its management, combinatorial treatment options, and the intervention of nanotechnology-based formulations for AD therapeutics.

Emerging Advances in Nanocarriers Approaches in the Effective Therapy of Pain Related Disorders: Recent Evidence and Futuristic Needs

Pain disorders are the primary cause of disability nowadays. These disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA), cause loss of function, joint pain and inflammation and deteriorate the quality of life. The treatment of these inflammatory diseases includes anti-inflammatory drugs administered via intra-articular, topical or oral routes, physical rehabilitation or surgery. Owing to the various side effects these drugs could offer, the novel approaches and nanomaterials have shown potential to manage inflammatory diseases, prolonged half-life of anti-inflammatory drugs, reduced systemic toxicity, provide specific targeting, and refined their bioavailability. This review discusses in brief about the pain pathophysiology and its types. The review summarizes the conventional therapies used to treat pain disorders and the need for novel strategies to overcome the adverse effects of conventional therapies. The review describes the recent advancements in nanotherapeutics for inflammatory diseases using several lipids, polymers and other materials and their excellent efficiency in improving the treatment over conventional therapies. The results of the nanotherapeutic studies inferred that the necessity to use nanocarriers is due to their controlled release, targeting drug delivery to inflamed tissues, low toxicity and biocompatibility. Therefore, it is possible to assert that nanotechnology will emerge as a great tool for advancing the treatment of pain disorders in the near future.

Integration of terpesomes loaded Levocetrizine dihydrochloride gel as a repurposed cure for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)-Induced skin infection; D-optimal optimization, ex-vivo, in-silico, and in-vivo studies

The intention of this work is to assess the repurposed antimicrobial impact of Levocetirizine dihydrochloride (LVC), which is a well-known antihistaminic drug, in addition, to augment the antimicrobial effect by using terpene-enriched vesicles (TPs). To investigate how various parameters affect TPs aspects, TPs were made employing the ethanol-injection-method and optimized d-optimal design. The TPs were characterized based on their entrapment efficiency percentage (EE%), particle size (PS), polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential (ZP). The optimum TP was submitted to more examinations. The optimum TP (TP12) showed a spherical vesicle having an EE% of 66.39 ± 0.12%, PS of 243.3 ± 4.60 nm, PDI of 0.458 ± 0.003, and ZP of 24.2 ± 0.55 mV. The in-vitro release study results demonstrated that LVC is sustainedly liberated from the optimum TP compared to LVC-solution. The ex-vivo assessment showed that LVC was released in a more sustained manner from TPs-gel related to LVC solution, optimum TP, and LVC gel. Ex-vivo visualization by confocal laser scanning microscopy showed good deposition of the fluorescein-labeled TP. Further, the in-vitro anti-bacterial effect and biofilm inhibition and detachment assessment confirmed the potency of LVC against Methicillin-resistant-Staphylococcus-aureus (MRSA). The in-silico study demonstrated that the LVC has excellent stability with other ingredients combined with it in the TPs, further, it proved that LVC is a potential candidate for treating MRSA. In-vivo assessments revealed a good antimicrobial effect toward MRSA infection. Moreover, the histopathological evaluation confirmed the safety of using TPs-gel topically. In conclusion, MRSA-related skin infections may be treated using the LVC loaded TPs-gel as a promising system.

Microwave synthesis of blue emissive carbon dots from 5-sulpho anthranilic acid and 1,5-diphenyl carbazide for sensing of levocetirizine and niflumic acid

In this work, water soluble carbon dots (CDs) were synthesized by using 5- sulpho anthranilic acid (SAA) and 1,5-diphenylycarbazide (DPC) as precursors via microwave-assisted method and named as "SD-CDs". We studied the effect of SAA and DPC molar ratio (1:3, 2:2 and 3:1) for the preparation of blue fluorescent CDs, showing the best emission properties at molar 3:1 ratio of SAA and DPC. The as-prepared SD-CDs emit bright blue color under UV light at 365 nm, and exhibit emission peak at 392 nm when excited at 319 nm. The as-synthesized SD-CDs act as a fluorescent sensor for detection of levocetirizine and niflumic acid through the fluorescence "turn-on-off" mechanism. The developed probe exhibited good linearity in the concentrations (levocetirizine - 1.0-100 µM and niflumic acid - 0.5-100 µM) with detection limits of 3.92 nM and 0.19 µM for levocetirizine and niflumic acid, respectively. Importantly, the developed analytical method was successfully used for the detection of levocetirizine in tablets and niflumic acid in biofluids of human (serum, plasma and urine), showing good recoveries from 97 to 99 %. Thus, this SD-CDs-based fluorescence method has the potential for levocetirizine and niflumic acid assays in biological and pharmaceutical samples.

Repurposing levocetirizine hydrochloride loaded into cationic ceramide/phospholipid composite (CCPCs) for management of alopecia: central composite design optimization, in- silico and in-vivo studies

Levocetirizine hydrochloride (LVC) is an antihistaminic drug that is repurposed for the treatment of alopecia. This investigation is targeted for formulating LVC into cationic ceramide/phospholipid composite (CCPCs) for the management of alopecia. CCPCs were fabricated by ethanol-injection approach, through a central composite experiment. CCPCs were evaluated by inspecting their entrapment efficiency (EE%), polydispersity index (PDI), particle size (PS), and zeta potential (ZP). The optimum CCPCs were additionally studied by in-vitro, ex-vivo, in-silico, and in-vivo studies. The fabricated CCPCs had acceptable EE%, PS, PDI, and ZP values. The statistical optimization elected optimum CCPCs composed of 5 mg hyaluronic acid, 10 mg ceramide III, and 5 mg dimethyldidodecylammonium bromide employing phytantriol as a permeation enhancer. The optimum CCPCs had EE%, PS, PDI, and ZP of 88.36 ± 0.34%, 479.00 ± 50.34 nm, 0.377 ± 0.0035, and 20.20 ± 1.13 mV, respectively. The optimum CCPC maintained its stability for up to 90 days. It also viewed vesicles of tube shape via transmission electron microscope. The in-silico assessment resulted in better interaction and stability between LVC and vesicle components in water. The ex-vivo and in-vivo assessments showed satisfactory skin retention of LVC from optimum CCPCs. The histopathological assessment verified the safety of optimum CCPCs to be topically applied. Overall, the optimum CCPCs could be utilized as a potential system for the topical management of alopecia, with a prolonged period of activity, coupled with reduced LVC shortcomings.

Oral administration of Helianthus annuus leaf extract ameliorates atopic dermatitis by modulation of T cell activity in vivo

BACKGROUND

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is multifactorial disease that is highly involved in the activity of T cells from the skin lesion. Seeds of Helianthus annuus extract have been traditionally used as anti-inflammatory reagent but few studies have been reported on leaf of H. annuus that are discarded uselessly as an immunomodulator.

PURPOSE

Therefore, here, the regulatory effect of Helianthus annuus extract (HAE) on AD via suppression of T cell activity was investigated.

METHODS

The efficacy of HAE was evaluated in T cells stimulated with CD3/CD28 antibody and PMA/A23187. And demonstration of the alleviating effect of HAE on AD in the ears of Balb/c female mice stimulated with mite extract and DNCB.

RESULTS

Pre-treatment with HAE abrogates IL-2 production from activated T cells. It was also found that HAE suppresses the expression of surface molecules in activated T cells. Cell viability results demonstrated that HAE is not associated with cytotoxicity in resting and activated T cells. Besides, we exhibited that regulated phosphorylation of MAPK through TAK1-IKKα-NFκB by pre-treatment with HAE leads to the suppressive effect of HAE on T cell activation. Oral administration of HAE attenuates manifestations of AD including reduced thickness of dermis and epidermis, decreased IgE level in serum, and declined mRNA levels of atopic cytokines on ear tissues. The ameliorative effect of HAE on AD was found to be associated with suppressed activity of T cells from draining lymph nodes.

CONCLUSION

Therefore, our results provide that HAE alleviates AD symptoms via modulation of T cell activity. In addition, these results suggest the immunomodulatory effect of HAE on T-cell mediated diseases.

Dual Delivery of Fluticasone Propionate and Levocetirizine Dihydrochloride for the Management of Atopic Dermatitis Using a Microemulsion-Based Topical Gel

The current study investigates the potential for topical delivery of a fluticasone propionate (FP) and levocetirizine dihydrochloride (CTZ)-loaded microemulsion (ME) for the management of atopic dermatitis. Various microemulsion components were chosen based on their solubility and emulsification capabilities, and the ternary phase diagram was constructed. A total of 12 microemulsion formulations were screened for various attributes like vesicle size, polydispersity index, ζ-potential, percent transmittance, density, and pH. The average globule size and ζ-potential of FP and levocetirizine-containing ME were 52.12 nm and -2.98 ζ-potential, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed the spherical nature of the globules. The developed system not only controlled the release of both drugs but also enhanced the efficacy of the drugs on a rodent model. Histopathological studies confirmed the safety of the developed system. The present findings provide evidence for a scalable and simpler approach for the management of atopic dermatitis.

A Comprehensive Review of Therapeutic Approaches Available for the Treatment of Dermatitis

BACKGROUND

Dermatitis or eczema is a prevalent skin disorder worldwide and is also very common as a pediatric inflammatory skin disorder. Its succession gets worse with the multiple comorbidities which exhibit mechanisms that are poorly understood. Its management further becomes a challenge due to the limited effective treatment options available. However, the Novel Drug Delivery Systems (NDDS) along with new targeting strategies can easily bypass the issues associated with dermatitis management. If we compare the active constituents against phytoconstituents effective against dermatitis then phytoconstituents can be perceived to be more safe and gentle.

OBJECTIVE

Administration of NDDS of plant extract or actives displays improved absorption behavior, which helps them to permeate through lipid-rich biological membrane leading to increased bioavailability. The newer efficient discoveries related to eczema can face various exploitations. This can be intervened by the subjection of patent rights, which not only safeguard the novel works of individual(s) but also give them the opportunity to share details of their inventions with people globally.

CONCLUSION

The present review focuses on the available research about the use of nanoformulations in the topical delivery. It further elaborates the use of different animal models as the basis to characterize the different features of dermatitis. The review also highlights the recent nanoformulations which have the ability to amplify the delivery of active agents through their incorporation in transfersomes, ethosomes, niosomes or phytosomes, etc.

Beneficial effects of ROCEN (Topical Nano-arthrocen) on atopic dermatitis in mice

Objective

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease mainly caused by immune stimuli. The current study was conducted to investigate the effects of ROCEN and to compare it with betamethasone (Beta) on mice subjected to AD.

Methods

First, the safety of topical ROCEN was tested to determine possible sensitization induction in vivo. Then, the mice were subjected to oxazolone (Oxa) to induce chronic AD. Consequently, they underwent treatment with ROCEN and Beta. Scratching and wiping behaviors related to dermatitis were evaluated in treated animals for 35 days. The histopathology and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) cytokines were performed on the dorsal skin of the treated mice.

Results

Topical administration of ROCEN and Beta to the dorsum of sensitized mice for 5 weeks significantly alleviated scratching and wiping symptoms and reduced erythema, scaling, and edema in the skin of the mice with AD. Moreover, histological indices showed that ROCEN effectively reduced leucocyte infiltration and improved skin healing parameters in treated AD mice. Application of ROCEN or Beta reduced IHC markers including IL-8 and TNF-α significantly.

Conclusion

ROCEN alleviated the AD symptoms similar to betamethasone in an experimental animal model.

Atopic Dermatitis as a Multifactorial Skin Disorder. Can the Analysis of Pathophysiological Targets Represent the Winning Therapeutic Strategy?

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a pathological skin condition with complex aetiological mechanisms that are difficult to fully understand. Scientific evidence suggests that of all the causes, the impairment of the skin barrier and cutaneous dysbiosis together with immunological dysfunction can be considered as the two main factors involved in this pathological skin condition. The loss of the skin barrier function is often linked to dysbiosis and immunological dysfunction, with an imbalance in the ratio between the pathogen Staphylococcus aureus and/or other microorganisms residing in the skin. The bibliographic research was conducted on PubMed, using the following keywords: 'atopic dermatitis', 'bacterial therapy', 'drug delivery system' and 'alternative therapy'. The main studies concerning microbial therapy, such as the use of bacteria and/or part thereof with microbiota transplantation, and drug delivery systems to recover skin barrier function have been summarized. The studies examined show great potential in the development of effective therapeutic strategies for AD and AD-like symptoms. Despite this promise, however, future investigative efforts should focus both on the replication of some of these studies on a larger scale, with clinical and demographic characteristics that reflect the general AD population, and on the process of standardisation, in order to produce reliable data.

Trends in nanoformulations for atopic dermatitis treatment

INTRODUCTION

Immunological skin dysfunctions trigger the synthesis and release of inflammatory cytokines, which induce recurrent skin inflammation associated with chronic itching, inefficient barrier behavior, and reduced skin hydration. These features characterize a multifactorial chronic inflammatory disease atopic dermatitis (AD). AD therapy includes anti-inflammatory drugs and immunosuppressors as well as non-pharmacological alternatives such as emollients, moisturizers, and lipids (ceramides, phospholipids) for modulating the skin hydration and the barrier repair. However, these treatments are inconvenient with low drug skin penetration and insufficient maintenance on the application site.

AREAS COVERED

Nanotechnology-based therapies can be a great strategy to overcome these limitations. Considering the particular skin morphological organization, SC lipid matrix composition, and immunological functions/features related to nanocarriers, this review focuses on recent developments of nanoparticulate systems (polymeric, lipid-based, inorganic) as parent or hybrid systems including their chemical composition, physico-chemical and biopharmaceutical properties, and differential characteristics that evaluate them as new effective drug-delivery systems for AD treatment.

EXPERT OPINION

Despite the several innovative formulations, research in nanotechnology-based carriers should address specific aspects such as the use of moisturizers associated to pharmacological therapies, toxicity studies, scale-up production processes and the nanocarrier influence on immunological response. These approaches will help researchers choose the most appropriate nanocarrier system and widen nanomedicine applications and commercialization.

Levocetirizine Dihydrochloride-Loaded Chitosan Nanoparticles: Formulation and In Vitro Evaluation

Objectives

The aim of the present study was to formulate levocetirizine hydrochloride (LCD)-loaded chitosan nanoparticles at submicron level with high entrapment efficiency and prolonged effect for optimizing the plasma drug concentration enhancing bioavailability.

Materials and Methods

LCD was successfully incorporated into chitosan nanoparticles by spray drying for the purpose of oral application. In vitro characteristics were evaluated in detail.

Results

LCD was successfully loaded into the polymeric matrices by spray drying. Characterization of the nanoparticles including encapsulation efficiency, particle size, zeta potential, morphology, polydispersity index, solid-state characterizations, and LCD quantification by high performance liquid chromatography was performed. The release pattern of LCD from the nanoparticles was determined using a dialysis tube in simulated intestinal fluid (pH 6.8). In vitro release profiles indicated prolonged release of LCD from the nanoparticles that followed the Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetic model.

Conclusion

Chitosan-based LCD-loaded polymeric nanoparticles appear to be a promising drug delivery system for the active agent.

Nanotechnology meets atopic dermatitis: Current solutions, challenges and future prospects. Insights and implications from a systematic review of the literature

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, relapsing, non-contiguous, exudative eczema/dermatitis, which represents a complex, multi-factorial disorder, due to an impairment of the stratum corneum barrier. Currently available drugs have a low skin bioavailability and may give rise to severe adverse events. Nanotechnologies, including nano-particles, liposomes, nano-gels, nano-mixtures, nano-emulsions and other nano-carriers, offer unprecedented solutions to these issues, enabling: i) the management of different clinical forms of atopic dermatitis, especially the recalcitrant ones, i) a better bio-availability and trans-dermal drug targeted delivery at the inflammation site, ii) dose control, iii) significant improvements both in clinical symptoms and immune responses, iv) with less adverse events being reported and a better safety profile. However, some nano-sized structures could amplify and even worsen symptoms in particularly susceptible individuals. Furthermore, most studies included in the present systematic review have been conducted in-vitro or in-vivo, with few randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs). Future investigations should adopt this design in order to enable scholars achieving robust findings and evidence. Therefore, given the above-mentioned shortcomings, further research in the field is urgently warranted.

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Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, relapsing eczema/dermatitis, due to an impairment of the stratum corneum barrier.

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Currently available drugs have a low skin bioavailability and may give rise to severe adverse events.

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Nanotechnologies offer unprecedented solutions, enabling the management of different clinical forms of atopic dermatitis.

Trends in Atopic Dermatitis-From Standard Pharmacotherapy to Novel Drug Delivery Systems

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a predominant and deteriorating chronic inflammation of the skin, categorized by robust burning and eczematous lacerations in diverse portions of the body. AD affects about 20% of both offspring and adults worldwide. The pathophysiology of AD combines environmental, hereditary, and immunological aspects, together with skin barrier dysfunction. The procedures used to prevent the disease are the everyday usage of creams to support the restoration of the epidermal barrier. The classical treatments include the use of topical corticosteroids as a first-line therapy, but also calcineurin inhibitors, antihistamines, antibiotics, phototherapy, and also immunosuppressant drugs in severe cases of AD. Topical drug delivery to deeper skin layers is a difficult task due to the skin anatomic barrier, which limits deeper penetration of drugs. Groundbreaking drug delivery systems, based on nanoparticles (NPs), have received much attention due to their ability to improve solubility, bioavailability, diffusion, targeting to specific types of cells, and limiting the secondary effects of the drugs employed in the treatment of AD. Even so, additional studies are still required to recognize the toxicological characteristics and long-term safety of NPs. This review discusses the current classical pharmacotherapy of AD against new nanoparticle skin delivery systems and their toxicologic risks.

Curcumin derivative, 2,6-bis(2-fluorobenzylidene)cyclohexanone (MS65) inhibits interleukin-6 production through suppression of NF-κB and MAPK pathways in histamine-induced human keratinocytes cell (HaCaT)

Background

Histamine is a well-known mediator involved in skin allergic responses through up-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Antihistamines remain the mainstay of allergy treatment, but they were found limited in efficacy and associated with several common side effects. Therefore, alternative therapeutic preferences are derived from natural products in an effort to provide safe yet reliable anti-inflammatory agents. Curcumin and their derivatives are among compounds of interest in natural product research due to numerous pharmacological benefits including anti-inflammatory activities. Here, we investigate the effects of chemically synthesized curcumin derivative, 2,6-bis(2-fluorobenzylidene)cyclohexanone (MS65), in reducing cytokine production in histamine-induced HaCaT cells.

Methods

Interleukin (IL)-6 cytokine production in histamine-induced HaCaT cells were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and cytotoxicity effects were determined using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was carried out to determine the inhibitory effects of MS65 on nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways.

Results

Histamine enhanced IL-6 production in HaCaT cells, with the highest production of IL-6 at 97.41 ± 2.33 pg/mL after 24 h of exposure. MS65 demonstrated a promising anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting IL-6 production with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) value of 4.91 ± 2.50 μM and median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) value of 28.82 ± 7.56 μM. In gene expression level, we found that MS65 inhibits NF-κB and MAPK pathways through suppression of IKK/IκB/NFκB and c-Raf/MEK/ERK inflammatory cascades.

Conclusion

Taken together, our results suggest that MS65 could be used as a lead compound on developing new medicinal agent for the treatment of allergic skin diseases.

Indigo Naturalis Ameliorates Oxazolone-Induced Dermatitis but Aggravates Colitis by Changing the Composition of Gut Microflora

BACKGROUND

Indigo naturalis (IND) is an herbal medicine that has been used as an anti-inflammatory agent to treat diseases including dermatitis and inflammatory bowel disease in China. However, the mechanism by which IND exerts its immunomodulatory effect is not well understood.

METHODS

A murine model of dermatitis and inflammatory bowel disease, both induced by oxazolone (OXA), was treated with IND. The severity of dermatitis was evaluated based on ear thickness measurements and histological scoring. The severity of colitis was evaluated by measuring body weight, histological scoring, and endoscopic scoring. The expression of inflammatory cytokines in ear and colon tissue was evaluated using real-time PCR. 16S rRNA DNA sequencing of feces from OXA-induced colitis mice was performed before and after IND treatment. The effects of IND on OXA-induced colitis were also evaluated after depleting the gut flora with antibiotics to test whether alteration of the gut flora by IND influenced the course of intestinal inflammation in this model.

RESULTS

IND treatment ameliorated OXA dermatitis with a reduction in IL-4 and eosinophil recruitment. However, OXA colitis was significantly aggravated in spite of a reduction in intestinal IL-13, a pivotal cytokine in the induction of the colitis. It was found that IND dramatically altered the gut flora and IND no longer exacerbated colitis when colitis was induced after gut flora depletion.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that IND could modify the inflammatory immune response in multiple ways, either directly (i.e., modification of the allergic immune cell activity) or indirectly (i.e., alteration of commensal compositions).

Effect of Physiological Changes in the Skin on Systemic Absorption of Tacrolimus Following Topical Application in Rats

Tacrolimus (TL) ointment is a topical treatment for atopic dermatitis, a disease that exhibits various skin conditions. The effect of skin pathologies on the systemic absorption of TL and related side effects remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate factors affecting the cutaneous absorption of TL. We prepared various skin models in hairless rats by tape stripping, injection of prophlogistic material solution (PMS), and continuous subcutaneous adrenaline (Adr) infusion. In vivo absorption studies were conducted, with measurements of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin blood flow as physiological parameters. Very little TL absorption was observed through intact skin. Greater TL absorption was noted in skins with high TEWL values and fully stripped skin with PMS injections. In contrast, Adr infusion, which reduced skin blood flow, resulted in decreased TL absorption through fully stripped skin. Combined use of TL and Adr on skin with PMS injections resulted in suppression of TL absorption. Our results revealed that TL absorption following topical application is affected by alterations in the skin barrier, blood flow, and vascular permeability. We propose an administration plan for TL in a flowchart as a means of preventing systemic side effects.