METHODS: The active compounds in cocoa pod extracts (CPE) were screened using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Fibroblast cells were used to determine the effective concentration of CPE to maintain the viability for at least 50% of the cells (EC50 ). The gel was tested by 12 panelists to determine the efficacy of CPE in gel form using Visioscan to reduce skin wrinkles and improve skin condition.
RESULTS: CPE was detected to contain malic acid, procyanidin B1, rosmarinic acid, procyanidin C1, apigenin, and ellagic acid, all of which may contribute to functional cosmetic properties of CPE. The EC50 value of cocoa pod extracts was used to calculate the amount of CPE to be incorporated into gel so that the formulated product could reach an effective concentration of extract while being nonintoxicant to the skin cell. The results showed that CPE is potential ingredient to reduce wrinkles. Skin wrinkles reduced at 6.38 ± 1.23% with the application of the CPE gel within 3 weeks and significantly improved further (12.39 ± 1.59%) after 5 weeks. The skin hydration increased (3.181 ± 1.06%) after 3 weeks of the CPE gel application.
CONCLUSION: Flavonoid compounds in CPE contributed to the functional cosmetic properties of CPE. The CPE which is nontoxic to skin cells help to reduce wrinkles on skin after 3 weeks of application. CPE can be used as the active ingredients in antiwrinkle products, and prolonged application may result in significant visual changes to the naked eyes.
METHODS: The selected patients were divided into three groups, Group I (PDT + SRP), Group II (SP + SRP) and group III (SRP alone). Clinical inflammatory periodontal parameters including plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) gain were assessed. Assessment of crevicular fluid interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) was performed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. All measurements were recorded at baseline, 3 months and 6 months follow-up periods, respectively.
RESULTS: A total of 73 patients completed the study. A significant improvement in the BOP was seen in Group II at both follow up visits when compared with other groups (p < 0.05). Only in Group-I that showed statistically significant reduction in moderate periodontal pockets at 3 months (p = 0.021), and significant reductions in deep pockets at 3-months (p = 0.003) and 6-months (p = 0.002), respectively. CAL gain also was reported to be seen in group-I at both visits (p < 0.05). Group- I and II significantly reduced the levels of IL-6 at 3-month period compared to Group-III. This reduction was further maintained by group-II and group-III at 6 months, respectively. TNF-α showed statistically significant decrease in Group II as compared to Group I and Group-III and this reduction was maintained by the end of 6-month visit (p = 0.045).
CONCLUSION: Both the treatment modalities PDT and SP helped in reducing periodontal inflammation. PDT reported significant gain in clinical attachment level, whereas the SP significantly reduced the bleeding levels.
METHODS: We isolated a strain of C. albicans from plaques on the oral mucus membrane of an infected patient. Colonies of this strain were exposed for 1 24 h, to 5%ALA-PTt, 5%ALA-PTt buffered to pH 6.5 (the pH of the oral mucosa) (5%ALA-PTtb) or not exposed (control). The 1 h-exposed samples were also irradiated at a wavelength of 630 nm with 0.14 watts (W) and 0.37 W/cm2 for 7 min at a distance of <1 mm.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The 5% ALA-PTt preparation was shown to be effective in reducing the growth of biofilm and inoculum of C. albicans. This effect seems to be linked to the intrinsic characteristics of 5%ALA-TPt, such acidic pH and the induction of free radical production. This outcome was significantly enhanced by the effect of PDT at relatively short incubation and irradiation times, which resulted in growth inhibition of both treated biofilm and inoculum by ∼80% and ∼95%, respectively.
Aim: This research aimed to optimize electrospray-operating parameters in producing alginate-RJ microbeads.
Materials and Methods: Optimization of alginate-RJ microbeads electrospray parameters was carried out using 24 factorial design with three center points (19 runs). The studied parameters were flow rate, high voltage, nozzle size, and tip-to-collector distance, whereas the responses were particle size, particle size distribution, and sphericity factor. The responses of each run were analyzed using Design-Expert software.
Results: Nozzle size is a significant parameter that influences the particle size. Flow rate is a significant parameter influencing the sphericity factor.
Conclusion: Screening of the electrospray-operating parameters paves the way in determining the significant parameters and their design space to produce consistent alginate-RJ microbeads.
METHODS: The survey was carried out using a questionnaire given to local dental practitioners. Glove friction and water absorption measurements were made using specially designed equipment.
RESULTS: The survey showed that a selected group of dentist and dental surgery assistants preferred hydrogel-coated gloves, particularly for damp donning, durability and long-term wear comfort. Laboratory measurements showed that the hydrogel coating gave a low friction coefficient against damp skin. The coating was durable, and absorbed water more readily than other treatments.
CONCLUSION: A survey of dental practitioners and dental surgery assistants and laboratory measurements indicates that hydrogel-coated gloves have superior properties, and are preferred to other non-sterile glove types.
OBJECTIVE: Development of oxybutynin chloride (OC) proniosomal gels and analyses of its efficacy for OAB treatment.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Phase separation coacervation was used to prepare proniosomal gels using various non-ionic surfactants, lipids, soy lecithin and isopropyl alcohol. Gels were characterized with regard to entrapment efficiency (EE), vesicle size, surface morphology (using environmental scanning electron microscopy [E-SEM]), stability, attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, in vitro skin permeation, in vivo animal studies and histopathology.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: EE was 87-92%, vesicle size was 0.38-5.0 μm, and morphology showed some loosened pores in proniosomes after hydration. ATR-FTIR spectroscopy showed no significant shifts in peaks corresponding to OC and excipients. Most formulations exhibited >50% permeation but the cholesterol-containing formulations P3 (Span 20:Span 60 [1:1]) and P4 [Tween 20:Tween 80 (1:1)] had the highest percent cumulative permeation. P3 and P4 also showed faster recovery of cholinergic effects on salivary glands than oral formulations. P3 and P4 had pronounced therapeutic effects in reduction of urinary frequency and demonstrated improvements in bladder morphology (highly regenerative surface of the transitional epithelium).
CONCLUSION: These results suggest that OC could be incorporated into proniosomal gels for transdermal delivery in the treatment of OAB.