• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.2533-2539
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• 2012

Annona muricata L (Annonaceae), commonly known as soursop has a long, rich history in herbal medicine with a lengthy recorded indigenous use. It had also been found to be a promising new anti-tumor agent in numerous in vitro studies. The present investigation concerns chemopreventive effects in a two-stage model of skin papillomagenesis. Chemopreventive effects of an ethanolic extract of A. muricata leaves (AMLE) was evaluated in 6-7 week old ICR mice given a single topical application of 7,12-dimethylbenza(${\alpha}$)anthracene (DMBA 100ug/100ul acetone) and promotion by repeated application of croton oil (1% in acetone/twice a week) for 10 weeks. Morphological tumor incidence, burden and volume were measured, with histological evaluation of skin tissue. Topical application of AMLE at 30, 100 and 300mg/kg significantly reduced DMBA/croton oil induced mice skin papillomagenesis in (i) peri-initiation protocol (AMLE from 7 days prior to 7 days after DMBA), (ii) promotion protocol (AMLE 30 minutes after croton oil), or (iii) both peri-initiation and promotion protocol (AMLE 7 days prior to 7 day after DMBA and AMLE 30 minutes after croton oil throughout the experimental period), in a dose dependent manner (p<0.05) as compared to carcinogen-treated control. Furthermore, the average latent period was significantly increased in theAMLE-treated group. Interestingly, At 100 and 300 mg/kg, AMLE completely inhibited the tumor development in all stages. Histopathological study revealed that tumor growth from the AMLE-treated groups showed only slight hyperplasia and absence of keratin pearls and rete ridges. The results, thus suggest that the A.muricata leaves extract was able to suppress tumor initiation as well as tumor promotion even at lower dosage.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.177-183
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• 1998

Low toxicity, reverse thermal gelation and high drug loading capabilities suggest that poloxamer 407 gels have great potential as a topical drug delivery system. Kojic acid (KA) is an antimelanogenic agent which has been widely used in cosmetics to whiten the skin color. However, it has the drawbacks of skin irritancy due to its acidic pH. Poloxamer gels of different polymer contents were formulated to overcome the problem and compared to the cream type formulations of either w/o/w multiple emulsion cream or o/w type emulsion cream. Using Franz diffusion cells mounted with a synthetic cellulose membrane (MWCO 12,000), drug release characteristics of the formulations were evaluated by the HPLC assay of KA concentration in the receptor compartment of pH 7.4 phosphate buffered saline solutions. Drug release from w/o/w multiple emulsion cream was controlled by oil membrane, showing the apparent zero order release kinetics. The KA release from the poloxamer gels was also controlled by the gel matrix, showing that drug release increased linearly as KA contents increase, but decreased exponentially as the polymer contents increase. In the skin irritancy test, the primary irritancy index(PII) of poloxamer gel base was lower than those of multiple emulsion cream base and o/w cream. Depending on KA contents or polymer contents in the gel. PH values in poloxamer gels were ranged from 1.3 to 2.0, which are interpreted as low or negligible irritation on skin. There was a good correlation between the log value of flux in drug release and PII value in skin irritation. It was possible to conclude that the poloxamer gels containing KA might be a good candidate for an antimelanogenic topical delivery system by virtue of the controlled release of the drug and the reduced skin irritancy.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.136-143
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• 2020

Psoriasis is one of the most common inflammatory skin disorders, with a global prevalence of 2% - 3%. It is an autoimmune skin disorder characterized by excessive generation of plaques on the skin with typical long-lasting red, itchy, and scaly lesions. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the anti-psoriatic effect of the methanolic extract of Persicaria senticosa (PS), a bioactive edible plant extract used in traditional medicine, using a mouse model of imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis. The daily topical application of IMQ could induce human psoriasis-like lesion. The extract ameliorated IMQ-induced psoriasis. Furthermore, hematoxylin and eosin staining and the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores indicated that topical application of PS led to an improvement in erythema, scaling, and thickness scores of the mouse dorsal skin and a considerable decrease in the epidermal thickness of the ear and dorsal skin in the IMQ-induced psoriatic mouse model. We also studied the effect of PS on the proliferation of keratinocytes using HaCaT cells. The extract inhibited cell proliferation and IL-6 and pSTAT3 expression induced by M5 cocktail (comprising interleukin [IL]-1α, IL-17A, IL-22, oncostatin M, and tumor necrosis factor-α) in HaCaT cells. Thus, PS might serve as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of psoriasis.

• BMB Reports
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.124-129
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• 2013

FK506 binding protein 12 (FK506BP) belongs to a family of immunophilins, and is involved in multiple biological processes. However, the function of FK506BP in corneal disease remains unclear. In this study, we examined the protective effects on dry eye disease in a Botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) induced mouse model, using a cell-permeable PEP-1-FK506BP protein. PEP-1-FK506BP efficiently transduced into human corneal epithelial cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner, and remained stable in the cells for 48 h. In addition, we demonstrated that topical application of PEP-1-FK506BP was transduced into mouse cornea and conjunctiva by immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, topical application of PEP-1-FK506BP to BTX-A-induced mouse model markedly inhibited expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$), tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) and macrophage inhibitory factor (MIF) in corneal and conjunctival epithelium. These results suggest PEP-1-FK506BP as a potential therapeutic agent for dry eye diseases.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.87-92
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• 1998

Kojic acid (KA) is an antimelanogenic agent which has been widely used in cosmetics to whiten the skin color. However, it has the drawbacks of the skin irritancy and the instability against the pH, temperature, and light. In order to overcome these problems, various topical gels and multiple emulsion creams which can control the release of active ingredient, KA, were formulated employing cream bases of mineral oil with caprylic capric triglyceride and hydrophilic polymers such as chitosan, carbopol. and pluronics. Using Franz diffusion cells mounted with a synthetic cellulose membrane (MWCO 12,000), drug release characteristics of the formulations were evaluated by the HPLC assay of KA concentration in the receptor compartment of pH 7.4 phosphate buffered saline solution. Drug release from chitosan-based gels (ChitoGel) obeyed to the first order kinetics with a rapid release especially in the initial period. However, pluronic-based gels (PluGel) and carbopol-based gels (CarboGel) revealed controlled release of drug to some extent, followed by the square root-time kinetics. Moreover, the release of KA was further controlled with the W/O/W multiple emulsion creams (MultiCream), showing the apparent zero order release kinetics by virtue of dynamic ratecontrolling membrane of the oil layer. The flux $(J,\;{\mu}g/cm^2/hr)$ of ChitoGel. CarboGel. PluGel. and MultiCream in the initial period of 6hr were 73.30, 28.67. 24.04 and 7.72, respectively. On the other hand, the skin irritancy score of ChitoGel and MultiCream were observed as 2.5 and 2.3 respectively, in the rabbit skin irritation test. Although there were insignificant differences at p<0.05 between those formulations, it was possible to conclude that the W/O/W multiple emulsion creams containing KA might be a good candidate for an antimelanogenic drug delivery system due to the controlled release of acidic drug molecules.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.225-232
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• 2001

The present study was carried out to observe the effect of liposome dispersed gel formulation (Lipogel) on topical delivery of ascorbyl palmitate (AsP). Neutral and negatively charged MLV liposomes containing AsP were prepared with dimyristoylphosphadtidylcholine (DMPC) and dicetyl phosphate (DCP), and dispersed to poloxamer gel matrix. In the hydrolysis study in rat's skin homogenates, AsP hydrolyzed to ascorbic acid (AsA) according to the first-order kinetics with the rate constant of $2.46{\times}10^{-2}\;min^{-1}$. In the passive skin penetration study using Franz diffusion cell, lipogel systems exhibited the greater values in the flux $(J_s)$ and the amount penetrated $(Q_p)$ compared to control hydrogels containing diethyleneglycol monoethyl ether $(Transcutol^{\circledR})$ as a solubilizing agent and a penetration enhancer for AsP. The total amount penetrated $(Q_{Total})$, which is expressed as a summation of $Q_P\;and\;Q_L$, for lipogel system was about 1.4 times higher in average than that of control hydrogel. However the amount localized in the skin $(Q_L)$ was similar in both formulations. As a result, lipogel system enhanced the skin penetration of AsP, possibly due to the increase in local concentration of AsP by preferential adsorption of liposome to the skin and the enhancing effect of phospholipid in liposome composition. Moreover it was expected that the penetrated AsP would generate AsA during skin penetration by the skin esterase. In conclusion, lipogel formulation was considered as a good candidate for topical delivery of AsP.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.7-10
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• 2012

Objectives: The root of Lithospermum erythrorhizon Sieb. et Zucc. (Lithospermi Radix, LR) is a kind of heat clearing and blood cooling medicinal herbs. It can clear away heat and cool the blood, reduce toxins and disperse maculae. LR has long been used as efficacious therapy for inflammation, burns, frostbite and skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis. Methods: In the present study, we investigate anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects of LR by using the 1-fluoro-2, 4- dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced contact dermatitis mouse model. Results: Topical application of 10 mg/mL of LR effectively inhibited skin lesions induced by repeated paintings with DNFB. Topical application of LR also inhibited hyperplasia, edema, spongiosis and infiltrations of mononuclear cells. In addition, production levels of total immunoglobulin and IgG1 in serum were decreased by using LR in vivo. Conclusions: These data suggest that LR acts as an antiinflammatory agent, improving skin lesions in CD mice.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.55-60
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• 2006

Aucuba japonica has variable pharmacological effects such as hepatoprotective, choleretic, hemodynamic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activities. This study was performed to investigate the effects of Aucuba japonica extract on oral wound healing. Aucubin was extracted from Aucuba japonica, and injected on either side of buccal mucosa of male mice. Artificial full thickness wounds were made on the site with 1.5 mm biopsy punch under sterile technique. The specimens had taken on day 1, 3, and 5 with 4 mm biopsy punch. Light microscopic examination and quantitative histologic analysis were performed for reepithelization, inflammatory cell infiltration. Reepithelization of the aucubin (0.1%) group was earlier than the control group. And the number of inflammatory cells of the aucubin group was lesser than the control group. In view of the results so far achieved, the aucubin extracted from Aucuba japonica may be useful for oral wound healing and it can be applied as a topical agent on the oral wound. Further research should be performed on the mechanism of aucubin on oral wound healing and proper formulation for effective topical agents.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.299-304
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• 2006

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of deformable liposomes with sodium cholate on the skin permeation and skin deposition of arbutin, a hydrophilic skin-whitening agent. Various compositions of liposomes were prepared by the extrusion method. Particle size distribution and entrapment efficiency were determined by the laser light scattering and the gel permeation chromatography, respectively. The in vitro rat skin permeation and deposition of arbutin in various skin layers were investigated using the Keshary-Chien diffusion cells at $37^{\circ}C$. The average particle size of the deformable liposomes ranged from 217.4 to 117.4 nm, depending on the composition. The entrapment efficiency was dependent on surfactant concentration and loading dose of arbutin. The permeation rate of 5% arbutin in deformable liposomes was $8.91({\pm}1.33){\mu}g/cm^2/h$, and was not significantly different from 5% arbutin aqueous solution $[9.82({\m}0.86){\mu}g/cm^2/h]$. The deposition of arbutin was $43.34({\pm}12.13)$ and $16.99({\pm}7.83){\mu}g/cm^2$ in stratum corneum layer and epidermis/dermis layer, respectively, after 12 h of permeation study. These results are consistent with several earlier studies for the localization effect of liposomal formulations in stratum corneum, and demonstrated the feasibility of the deformable liposomes as a promising carrier for the skin deposition of hydrophilic skin-whitening compounds.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.59.1-59.13
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• 2023

Background: Rocuronium bromide has been evaluated as a mydriatic agent in birds, but the species applied were limited and the dose and effect were variable. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of topical rocuronium bromide as mydriatics in 4 species according to horizontal palpebral fissure length: Feral pigeon (Columba livia), Common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), Northern boobook (Ninox japonica), and Eurasian eagle owl (Bubo bubo). Methods: A total of 32 birds (8 for each species) were included as pre-releasing examination. Rocuronium bromide was instilled in one randomly selected eye of each bird based on palpebral fissure length criteria (0.5 mg/50 µL for pigeons, 1 mg/100 µL for kestrels and boobook owls, and 2 mg/200 µL for eagle owls). The contralateral eye was used as control and treated with normal saline. After instillation of the drug, pupil diameter, pupillary light reflex, intraocular pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate were evaluated at 10 min intervals up to 180 min and at 30 min intervals up to 360 min. Results: Statistically significant mydriasis was obtained in all birds (p < 0.001). However, in boobook and eagle owls, marked mydriasis persisted until 360 min. Side effects including corneal erosion and lower eyelid paralysis were common, which was observed in 26/32 birds. Blepharospasm was also noted during this study. No systemic adverse signs were observed. Conclusions: Rocuronium bromide could be a good mydriatics option for 4 species of birds, however, further studies are needed to find lowest effective dose to reduce drug-related side effects.