• Journal of the Korean Medical Association
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• v.61 no.11
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• pp.680-686
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• 2018

Acne vulgaris is a very common condition affecting up of about 80% to 90% of adolescents. The patients with acne have been shown to be adversely impacted by the effect of acne on their quality of life. Four factors are believed to play a key role in the development of acne lesions: excess sebum production, disturbed keratinization within the follicle, colonization of the pilosebaceous duct by Propionibacterium acnes, and the release of inflammatory mediators into the skin. Consequently, the target for acne therapy is these well-known pathogenic factors responsible for this disease state. Topical retinoids correct abnormal keratinization, but it should be applied cautiously because of irritation. Benzoyl peroxide is an effective bactericidal agent against P. acnes. Main topical antibiotics are erythromycin and clindamycin. Fixed combination topical products with retinoids, benzoyl peroxide and antibiotics have been introduced. Use of systemic antibiotics, including tetracyclines and macrolides rapidly improves inflammatory acne lesions. Oral isotretinoin is effective against all of the main pathogenic features of acne but is contraindicated in pregnant women and has been associated with cheilitis and dry skin. Hormonal therapy has been found to improve acne in some selective patients and should be considered for appropriate candidates. This review will present the general aspects of the pharmacological treatments for acne.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.243-248
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was 2-fold: 1) to investigate the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasite infection in cats reared in Daegu, Republic of Korea and 2) to assess the efficacy and safety of a topical emodepside/praziquantel formulation for cats with parasitic infections. The gastrointestinal parasite infections were examined microscopically using the flotation method. Of 407 cats, 162 (39.8%) were infected by at least one gastrointestinal parasite, including Toxocara cati (63.0%), Toxascaris leonina (31.5%), Taenia taeniaeformis (3.7%), and Cystoisospora felis (1.9%). None of the infected animals had multiple infections. When the data were analyzed according to sex, age, and type of cat, stray cats showed statistically higher prevalence than companion cats (P<0.05). On the 5th day after treatment, no parasitic eggs were detected using microscopic examination. In addition, no adverse effects, such as abnormal behaviors and clinical symptoms, were observed in the cats treated with the drug. These results quantify the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in cats in Daegu, Republic of Korea, and show that topical emodepside/praziquantel is a safe and effective choice for treating the parasitic infections in cats.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.437-443
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• 2009

To develop a topical bioadhesive formulation of clotrimazole for enhanced transdermal delivery, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose gel containing permeation enhancer was formulated and permeation studies were carried out. The release characteristics of the drug from the gel formulation were examined according to the receptor medium, drug concentration, and temperature. The rate of drug release from the gel increased with increasing drug concentration and temperature. The activation energy (Ea) of drug permeation, which was calculated from the slope of log P versus 1/T plots, was 14.41kcal/mol for a 1%(w/w) loading dose. The enhancer, such as saturated, unsaturated fatty acids, pyrrolidones, propylene glycol derivatives, glycerides, and non-ionic surfactants, were incorporated onto the gels to increase the amount of drug permeation into the skin. Among the enhancers used, polyoxyethylene 2-oleyl ether showed the highest level of enhancement. These results show that clotrimazole gels containing polyoxyethylene 2-oleyl ether could be used for the enhanced transdermal delivery of clotrimazole.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.145-154
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• 1989

Methyl methacrylate-butyl methacrylate copolymer (MMBM)-povidone (PVP) films were investigated as a potential topical drug delivery system for the controlled release of econazole nitrate as a model drug. The effect of changes in film composition, drug concentration, film thickness, pH and temperature of release medium on the in vitro release of econazole nitrate were studied. The release rate constant was found to be increased with increasing povidone content in dry films. Drug release followed zero-order kinetics in the initial stage and then release rate increased gradually with time, espicially in the films having larger proportions of PVP. The release rate was found to be dependent on drug content, film thickness, the pH and temperature of release medium. Antimicrobial test showed that microbial growth was inhibited markedly with increasing proportions of PVP in films. Also drug content and film thickness affected the antimicrobial activity.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.293-296
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• 2023

Oral mucosal burns can occur after contact with various chemical agents, and commonly manifest as areas of mucosal sloughing and ulceration. Policresulen (Albothyl, Celltrion Pharm Inc.) is an over-the-counter topical antiseptic that is frequently used to treat stomatitis. Policresulen solution is highly acidic, with an approximate pH of 0.6; it can thus cause mucosal injury when improperly applied in the oral cavity. Here, we present a rare case of an oral mucosal burn resulting from incorrect self-administration of policresulen and emphasize the importance of increasing understanding of this adverse drug event among consumers and health professionals.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.50-54
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• 2006

The wound healing activity of plumbagin and the chloroform extract of Plumbago rosea Linn. (Yoot), incorporated into ointments with yellow soft paraffin, have been investigated on rats. Wound healing activity was studied using excision and incision wound models in rats following topical application. Both plumbagin and the Plumbago rosea root extract produced a significant response in both of the wound models studied. The wound contracted in 14 days in the case of plumbagin (0.1%) and 16 days in case of Plumbago rosea root extract (0.5%), as against in 22 days in the case of control animals. The results were also comparable to those of a standard drug, framycetin sulphate cream (1% w/w) in terms of wound contracting ability, wound closure time, tensile strength of wound and regeneration of tissues at the wound site. Histological studies revealed evidences for the healing process by formation of fibrovascular tissue, epithelization and increased collagenization when compared to control.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.167-171
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• 2007

Itraconazole is one of the most potent antifungal agents available in the market today. However, the low bioavailability due to its poor-water solubility calls for an alternative formulation to the current oral type. A topical itra-conazole-containing formulation may be of use for several reasons including the opportunity to reduce adverse events and generate high local tissue levels, more rapid drug delivery, and lower systemic exposure. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the vehicles for topical skin delivery of itraconazole. The effect of formulations on the hairless mouse skin permeation and deposition of itraconazole was determined using Franz diffusion cells at $37^{\circ}C$. Benzyl alcohol in micro-emulsion significantly increased the solubility of itraconazole, thereby increasing the skin permeation rate. However, lipo-some formulation showed the lowest solubility and permeation rate of itraconazole. Although the solubility of itraconazole in hydrogel formulation was lower than that in microemulsion, skin permeation rate was significantly higher probably due to its adhesive property. Therefore, microemulsion-based hydrogel formulation is expected to synergistically increase the skin permeation rate and skin deposition of itraconazole.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.512-523
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• 2018

Background: 20(S)-Protopanaxadiol (20S-PPD) is a fully deglycosylated ginsenoside metabolite and has potent dermal antiaging activity. However, because of its low aqueous solubility and large molecular size, a suitable formulation strategy is required to improve its solubility and skin permeability, thereby enhancing its skin deposition. Thus, we optimized microemulsion (ME)-based hydrogel (MEH) formulations for the topical delivery of 20S-PPD. Methods: MEs and MEHs were formulated and evaluated for their particle size distribution, morphology, drug loading capacity, and stability. Then, the deposition profiles of the selected 20S-PPD-loaded MEH formulation were studied using a hairless mouse skin model and Strat-M membrane as an artificial skin model. Results: A Carbopol-based MEH system of 20S-PPD was successfully prepared with a mean droplet size of 110 nm and narrow size distribution. The formulation was stable for 56 d, and its viscosity was high enough for its topical application. It significantly enhanced the in vitro and in vivo skin deposition of 20S-PPD with no influence on its systemic absorption in hairless mice. Notably, it was found that the Strat-M membrane provided skin deposition data well correlated to those obtained from the in vitro and in vivo mouse skin studies on 20S-PPD (correlation coefficient $r^2=0.929-0.947$). Conclusion: The MEH formulation developed in this study could serve as an effective topical delivery system for poorly soluble ginsenosides and their deglycosylated metabolites, including 20S-PPD.

• Korean journal of dermatology
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• v.56 no.10
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• pp.581-593
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• 2018

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common, chronic, relapsing, inflammatory skin disease that affects both children and adults. AD is the cause of considerable morbidity including severe pruritus and impaired quality of life. Treatments for active disease include avoidance of triggering factors, barrier repair, topical medications including topical corticosteroids (TCs) and topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCIs), phototherapy, antibacterial agents, and systemic immunosuppressants including cyclosporine. Until recently, the only Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved systemic treatment options for patients with moderate-to-severe AD were steroids and cyclosporine. Systemic steroids are not recommended by current guidelines and are commonly associated with disease rebound. Instead, clinicians choose from several off-label immunosuppressants. In 2018, the Korean FDA approved dupilumab for adults with moderate-to-severe AD whose disease is not adequately controlled with topical therapies. The implementation of treatment guidelines for AD is challenging. Herein, we review the several treatment modalities for AD and recommend a treatment algorithm.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.109-114
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• 2013

Chemical burn on the oral mucosa is caused by contact with various chemical products and manifests with localized mucositis, keratotic white lesions, bleeding, and painful tissue surface due to the coagulation of the tissue. Policresulen ($Albothyl^{(R)}$) is a topical antiseptic, commonly used over-the-counter drug for vaginitis, thrush and stomatitis. This drug is highly acidic with pH 0.6, and can act as a strong corrosive agent to oral mucosa. When inadvertently used in oral cavity, it may cause chemical burns of oral mucosa, resulting necrosis and bleeding surface resembling to erythema multifome. A 56 years old female patient presented with the chief complaints of painful ulcerations on the tongue, the upper and lower lips. On intraoral examination, an erythromatous, erosive or ulcerative surface covered with inflammatory exudates or bleeding crust is observed on the anterior half of the tongue and the upper and lower lips. She has occasionally applied the policresulen solution topically on the tongue to relieve pain from recurrent focal glossitis for about 10 years. In this time she applied it broadly and repeatedly to the tongue, the upper and lower lips for the purpose of pain relief by herself without instruction by physician or dentist. After cessation of policresulen application, the oral mucosa was rapidly recovered with use of topical steroids. In 2 weeks the lesions subsided completely. In summary, inadvertent use of $Albothyl^{(R)}$ on oral mucosa may result in chemical burn, causing mucosal erosion, ulceration and inflammation. It can be recovered by topical use of corticosteroid for 2 weeks after cessation of using $Albothyl^{(R)}$.