• 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 Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.273-278
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• 2000

Several topical preparations containing lidocaine, a widely used local anesthetic agent, have been developed and marketed recently for the treatment of premature ejaculation. In this study, microemulsion(ME)-based hydrogels containing lidocaine were prepared by dispersing ME to hydrogel bases such as Carbopol, sod. alginate, and sod. carboxymethylcellulose. Lidocaine-containing ME was thermodynamically stable over 6 months and had a diameter ranging from 10 to 100 nm. In vitro skin penetration of lidocaine from ME-based hydrogels followed apparent zero-order kinetics. ME-based hydrogel showed higher drug penetration during fifteen minutes after application than alcoholic hydrogel, reference preparation. Tail flick test in rat was introduced to compare in vivo local anesthetic effects of different hydrogels, and the results showed that ME-based hydrogels are superior to other hydrogels. In optical microscopy, recrystallization of lidocaine was observed within 5 min after application of reference hydrogel, but there was no change in ME-based hydrogels even after 30 minnute. These results indicated that ME-based hydrogels had some advantages in skin penetration, anesthetic effect and physical stability compared with alcoholic hydrogels. Finally it is possible to conclude that ME-based hydrogels containing lidocaine is a good topical drug delivery system for the treatment of premature ejaculation.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.39-45
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• 1998

Kojic acid, antimelanogenic agent, has been widely used in cosmetics to lighten the skin color. However, it has skin irritancy and instability against pH, temperature and light. To overcome these problems and optimize the molecular structure of kojic acid (KA), a prodrug, kojic acid monostearate(KMS), has been synthesized to modify the topical drug delivery in the point of sustained release of the parent drug via enzymatic hydrolysis during skin absorption. The prodrug was tested for enzymatic hydrolysis with cytosolic fraction of hairless mouse, skin. From the in vitro skin permeation study through hairless mouse skin, we found that KMS was retained in the skin and generated KA continuously by the skin esterase cleavage. In addition, topical formulations of o/w type creams and polyolprepolymer-containing cream were further tested for whitening effects using in vivo yellow skin guinea pig model.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.359-364
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• 2007

Pine bark extract is well-known as a very powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibiotic material. French maritime pine bark extract ($Pycnogenol^{(R)}$) of Horphag Research has monopolized the world market over 30 years. Korean red pine bark extract ($Pinexol^{(R)}$) was first manufactured by the patent technology of NutraPharm in Korea in 2006. Feasibility of topical gel and patch formulations of Pinexol was systematically investigated by evaluating the skin absorption of catechin as a reference compound. In vitro hairless mouse skin absorption of catechin from gel formulation was higher than that from patches. However, significant amount of catechin was also deposited inside the skin from patch formulations, which were dependent on the types of pressure sensitive adhesives. Thus, it seems to be feasible to control the topical delivery of Pinexol by using both gel and patch formulations, and be necessary to conduct further systematic investigation.

• Journal of Photoscience
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.186-189
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• 2002

Many of the adverse effects of solar UV exposure appear to be directly attributable to damage to epidermal DNA. In particular, cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD) may initiate mutagenic changes as well as induce signal transduction responses that lead to a loss of skin immune surveillance and micro-destruction of skin structure. Our approach is to reverse the DNA damage using prokaryotic DNA repair enzymes delivered into skin using specially engineered liposomes. T4 endonuclease V encapsulated in liposomes (T4N5 liposome lotion) enhanced DNA repair by shifting repair of CPD from the nucleotide excision to the base excision repair pathway. Following topical application to humans, increased repair limited UV-induction of cytokines, many of which are immunosuppressive. In a recent clinical study, topical treatment of UV-irradiated human skin with T4N5 liposome lotion reduced the suppression of the nickel sulfate contact hypersensitivity response. Similarly, the photoreactivating enzyme enhances repair by directly reversing CPDs after absorbing activating light. Here also treatment of UV-irradiated human skin with photoreactivating enzyme in liposomes and photoreactivating light restored the response to the contact allergen nickel sulfate. These findings confirm in humans the observation in mice that UV induced suppression of contact hypersensitivity is caused in part by CPDs. We have tested the ability of T4N5 liposome lotion to prevent UV-induced skin cancer in patients with xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), who have an elevated incidence of skin cancer resulting from a genetic defect in DNA repair. Daily use of the lotion for one year in a group of 20 XP patients reduced the average number of actinic keratoses by 68% and basal cell cancers by 30% compared to 9 patients in the placebo control group. Delivery of DNA repair enzymes to skin is a promising new approach to photoprotection.

• Medical Lasers
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.161-169
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• 2021

Background and Objectives Fractional microneedle radiofrequency systems are popular options to increase elasticity in aging skin. Laser-assisted drug delivery is a promising method for the epidermal injection of topically applied drugs and cosmetic ingredients. This study assesses the safety and efficacy of topical delivery of L-ascorbic acid, vitamin E, and ferulic acid after fractional microneedle radiofrequency treatment for reducing photodamage. Materials and Methods In this prospective, single-center, split-face, controlled pilot study, six women (mean age, 48.0 years; range, 35-57 years; Fitzpatrick skin types III and IV) exhibiting mild to moderate photodamage, underwent a single session of fractional microneedle radiofrequency treatment. The patients were instructed to apply the antioxidant formulation to only one side of the face. Patients were evaluated 3 days, 7 days, and 4 weeks thereafter, using three-dimensional imaging and ultrasound. Ex vivo, the full-thickness human skin was used for molecular and histological evaluation. Statistical analysis was achieved by applying t-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and one-way analyses of variance. Results Compared to the untreated side, the antioxidant-treated side exhibited a significant increase in dermal thickness (10.32% vs. 17.54%, p < 0.05), but not in skin elasticity (4.76% vs. 4.69%, p > 0.05). The difference in erythema between the sides was statistically not significant (p > 0.05). In the ex vivo model, expression of FGF2 in the skin was significantly increased after application of the antioxidant formulation, as compared to results obtained subsequent to fractional microneedle radiofrequency treatment only (p < 0.01). Conclusion This study demonstrates that for the treatment of photodamaged skin, laser-assisted delivery of the antioxidant formulation is a safe and effective adjuvant modality following fractional microneedle radiofrequency.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.5-8
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• 1988

Physical properties of oral adhesive tablets prepared with four kinds of gums for topical or systemic drug delivery were investigated. Oral adhesive tablets containing 5mg of brilliant blue(BB) were prepared from direct compression. Viscosity of 2% gum solutions, water absorption, fracture resistance, stickiness of tablets, and dissolution of BB in pH 6.8 dissolution medium were tested. Acacia showed good stickiness and fracture resistance, and tragacanth showed good retarding effect on the release of BB from tablets. Therefore, tablets with varing ratios of acacia and tragacanth were prepared and their physical properties were examined. In conclusion, it was possible to obtain some adequate properties by compounding acacia and tragacanth.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.79-88
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• 2018

Managing pain and anxiety in patients has always been an essential part of dentistry. To prevent pain, dentists administer local anaesthesia (LA) via a needle injection. Unfortunately, anxiety and fear that arise prior to and/or during injection remains a barrier for many children and adults from receiving dental treatment. There is a constant search for techniques to alleviate the invasive and painful nature of the needle injection. In recent years, researchers have developed alternative methods which enable dental anaesthesia to be less invasive and more patient-friendly. The aim of this review is to highlight the procedures and devices available which may replace the conventional needle-administered local anaesthesia. The most known alternative methods in providing anaesthesia in dentistry are: topical anaesthesia, electronic dental anaesthesia, jet-injectors, iontophoresis, and computerized control local anaesthesia delivery systems. Even though these procedures are well accepted by patients to date, it is the authors' opinion that the effectiveness practicality of such techniques in general dentistry is not without limitations.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.185-191
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• 1999

The polymeric films containing drug and various excipients were fabricated using aqueous-based $Eudragit^{\circledR}$ RS 30D dispersions. The diffusional behaviors and mechanism of the fabricated polymeric film were investigated using Keshary-Chien diffusion cell. The melatonin was used as a model drug. The diffusion behaviors of drug through the fabricated polymeric films were highly dependent on drug concentration in donor part, polymer contents and drug concentration, and the types of plasticizers and solubilizers. The fabricated polymeric films containing excipients and solubilizers could be applied for the controlled release of poorly water-soluble drug and for the preparation of drug-containing latex films for topical or oral drug delivery.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2003.10b
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• pp.248.1-248.1
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• 2003

Keloids are characterized by abnormal proliferation of fibroblasts and overproduction of collagen. Recently, it is reported that transforming growth factor beta (TGFb) and its signaling molecule, SMAD3 are related to the mitogenic effect of fibroblasts and a stimulatory factor for collagen synthesis. Cationic SLN was developed to improve the complex formation of DNA/SLN and enhance the uptake efficiency to cells. SLN was formulated by DC-Chol, DOPE, trimyristin as a solid core and other surfactant. The physical properties of the SLN and the ATS-SLN complex were characterized. (omitted)