Skin hyperpigmentation treatment using herbs: A review of clinical evidences

Hyperpigmentation of skin is caused by several factors. UV exposure, in addition to oxidative stress, elevates inflammatory mediators stimulating melanogenesis. Herbal-derived compounds for improving skin lightness are gaining interest as they are perceived to be milder, safer, and healthier than fully synthetic products. This review briefly addresses the causes of skin hyperpigmentation and extensively summarizes the status of herbs currently used in skin-lightening cosmetics. The properties of active compounds and their dose rate information are summarized where available, along with human or animal relevant models for activity testing. This review will be of value to cosmetic formulators and dermatologists who are searching for naturally derived ingredients for improving skin lightness, in line with consumer preference and expectations.     

Reversible short-term and delayed long-term cognitive impairment induced by chronic mild cerebral hypoperfusion in rats

Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion induced by aging in combination with vascular disorder potentially contributes to the development of vascular dementia. This study aimed to investigate the age-related changes in spatial performances in chronic mild cerebral hypoperfusion induced by permanent right common carotid artery occlusion (rCCAO) in rats. Four-month-old male Sprague–Dawley rats (n = 20) were randomly assigned into sham and rCCAO groups. Spatial performances of young adult rats (age 4–8 months) were evaluated repeatedly by the radial arm water maze at 6 days, and 1, 2 and 4 months after surgery. The spatial performance was re-assessed by the Morris water maze when the rats were 18 months old. The present results revealed that the rCCAO rats developed progressive deficit in spatial learning and memory, starting from day 6 and significant deficit was found at 2 months after rCCAO (p < 0.05). However, the spatial performance of the rCCAO rats was recovered at 4 months after surgery. Testing of the cognitive flexibility of the aged rCCAO rats (18 months old), indicated that the learning flexibility of the aged rCCAO rats was significantly impaired. This deficit was found in parallel with pronounced white matter damage in the corpus callosum and internal capsule and significant cell death in the dorsal hippocampus. Our results suggested that vascular risk insult in young adult rats resulted in spatial learning deficit which could be completely compensated later on. However, such previous vascular risk could be exacerbated by advancing age and subsequently lead to a deficit in cognitive flexibility with white matter damage and significant neuronal death in the dorsal hippocampus.     

Preparation and electrochemical performance of nitrogen-enriched activated carbon derived from silkworm pupae waste

In this study, nitrogen-enriched activated carbon from silkworm pupae waste (P-AC) was successfully prepared and its electrochemical performances in aqueous and organic electrolytes were investigated. Silkworm pupae waste is beneficial because it is a nitrogen-enriched, inexpensive, and locally available material. The preparation process includes hydrothermal treatment of the silkworm pupae waste at 200 °C, and chemical activation using zinc chloride at activation temperatures of 700, 800 and 900 °C (P700, P800, and P900, respectively). The nitrogen content in the P-ACs was approximately 3.8–6.4 at%, decreasing with activation temperature, while the surface area was approximately 1062–1267 m² g⁻¹, increasing with activation temperature. Compared to a commercial AC, the P-ACs show higher nitrogen content but lower surface area. Furthermore, the P800 exhibited superior specific capacitance (154.6 and 91.6 F g⁻¹ in aqueous and organic electrolytes) compared to a commercial AC despite possessing smaller surface area. The high nitrogen content enhanced the pseudocapacitance and improved the electrical conductivity of the P-ACs. These properties were confirmed by relatively low series and charge transfer resistances, a capacity retention higher than 88% at a current density of 0.5 A g⁻¹ and excellent cycling stability demonstrated by maintaining 97.6% of its capacitance after 3000 cycles. These results demonstrate that silkworm pupae waste is a viable source of nitrogen-enriched AC for application in supercapacitors.

Nitrogen-enriched activated carbon from silkworm pupae prepared by hydrothermal treatment and chemical activation exhibited superior specific capacitance with excellent cycling stability.     

Association between medication adherence and clinical outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease: a prospective cohort study

Background

There is limited evidence of medication adherence related to progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine associations between medication adherence and the progression of CKD in outpatients with CKD.

Methods

This cohort study recruited 339 Thai patients with stages 3–5 CKD. Patients with a glomerular disease or receiving renal replacement therapy before recruitment were excluded. 295 were followed up regarding their serum creatinine, blood pressure, glycated hemoglobin, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol over 12 months. Medication adherence was measured at baseline using the Thai version of the 8-Item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale^®. The primary outcome was the progression of CKD. The progression of CKD was defined as either a decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate of at least 3 ml/min/1.73 m²/year or initiation of renal replacement therapy. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using Chi-squared tests and multiple logistic regressions.

Results

Twenty-one percent had poor adherence. Younger patients were more likely to have poor adherence (adjusted OR 2.81, 95 % CI 1.45–5.43). Anti-hypertensive agents were the most frequently reported as not being taken (52 %). Patients with poor adherence were associated with the progression of CKD (adjusted OR 1.96, 95 % CI 1.02–3.76). Those with poor adherence were less likely to control their blood pressure, than moderate-to-high adherence group (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

The findings suggest that CKD patients with poor medication adherence are more likely to have progression of CKD. Health care providers should acknowledge these findings and provide effective strategies to deal with this issue.

     

Efficient gene tagging in Arabidopsis thaliana using a gene trap approach

Large quantities of DNA sequence information about plant genes are rapidly accumulating in public databases, but to progress from DNA sequence to biological function a mutant allele for each of the genes ideally should be available. Here we describe a gene trap construct that allowed us to disrupt transcribed genes with a high efficiency in Arabidopsis thaliana. In the T-DNA vector used, the expression of a bacterial reporter gene coding for neomycin phosphotransferase II (nptII) depends on the in vivo generation of a translation fusion upon the T-DNA integration into the Arabidopsis genome. Analysis of 20 selected transgenic lines showed that 12 lines are T-DNA insertion mutants. The disrupted genes analyzed encoded ribosomal proteins (three lines), aspartate tRNA synthase, DNA ligase, basic-domain leucine zipper DNA binding protein, ATP-binding cassette transporter, and five proteins of unknown function. Four tagged genes were new for Arabidopsis. The results presented here suggest that gene trapping, using nptII as a reporter gene, can be as high as 80% and opens novel perspectives for systematic gene tagging in A. thaliana.     

Anxiolytic effects of standardized extract of Centella asiatica (ECa 233) after chronic immobilization stress in mice

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Centella asiatica has long been used for various neurological disturbances in Southeast Asian countries. The present study aims to demonstrate the anxiolytic effect of ECa 233, a standardized extract of C. asiatica containing triterpenoids not less than 80%, in comparison to diazepam.

Materials and methods

The test compound was given orally to non-stressed mice and mice subjected to chronic immobilization stress. Anxiolytic effect was assessed by an elevated plus maze (EPM), a dark-light box and an open-field tests.

Results

Anxiolytic effect of ECa 233 was clearly demonstrated in non-stressed mice subjected to acute stress in all behavioral tests employed. In the EPM test, chronically stressed mice showed significant decrease in the number of open arm entries, shortening the time spent in open arms and an increase of the latency to leave the central area, suggesting their release from the stress. In addition, ameliorating effect of ECa 233 was observed on the body weight and serum corticosterone which were adversely affected by immobilization stress. Madecassoside and asiaticoside, equal to their respective contents of the effective doses of ECa 233, exclusively presented anxiolytic effects in EPM, while no distinct effect was observed on the body weight and serum corticosterone.

Conclusions

The present study demonstrated anxiolytic effect of ECa 233 in both acutely and chronically stressed animals. These effects could be mainly accounted by madecassoside and asiaticoside, suggesting a possible use of ECa 233 for the treatment of both acute and chronic anxiety in the pathological state.     

Acceptability of Carraguard vaginal gel use among Thai couples

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the acceptability of candidate microbicide Carraguard among couples participating in a safety trial. STUDY DESIGN: A 6-month randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in sexually active, low-risk couples in Thailand. METHODS: Couples who were monogamous, HIV uninfected, and not regular condom users were enrolled. Acceptability data were collected through structured questionnaires at repeated intervals. At the closing study visit, participants were asked questions about hypothetical product characteristics and future use. Compliance with gel use was assessed by questionnaires, coital diaries, and tracking of used and unused applicators. RESULTS: Among 55 enrolled couples, follow up and adherence with gel use were high and sustained, with 80% of women using gel in over 95% of vaginal sex acts. Because acceptability results from Carraguard and placebo arms were similar, they were combined for this analysis. Overall, 92% of women and 83% of men liked the gel somewhat or very much; 66% of women and 72% of men reported increased sexual pleasure with gel use; and 55% of women and 62% of men reported increased frequency of intercourse. Only 15% of women but 43% of men thought that gel could be used without the man knowing. Although men and women had similar views overall, concordance within couples was low, with no kappa coefficients above 0.31. CONCLUSION: Carraguard gel use was acceptable to low-risk couples in northern Thailand. Reported associations between gel use and increased sexual pleasure and frequency suggest a potential to market microbicide products for both disease prevention and enhancement of pleasure.