Skin-related Conditions Research Articles

How Dermatologists Can Aid Nondermatologic Professionals Using the Figure 1 App: Case Analysis.

We found that third-party apps such as Figure 1 were used predominantly by nondermatologist medical personnel for collaboration in medical decision-making related to dermatologic conditions conducted with other health care providers. This finding calls attention to the need for more readily available resources for nondermatologist health care providers encountering patients with skin-related conditions, with the added benefits of trained dermatologists being allies on such medical app platforms, and the platform allowing for recognition of instances when additional consultation or referral to trained dermatologists for more complex cases is appropriate.

Volatiles extracted from Melaleuca Rugulosa (Link) Craven leaves: comparative profiling, bioactivity screening, and metabolomic analysis

BackgroundMelaleuca species (family Myrtaceae) are characterized by their wide-ranging applications as antimicrobials and in skin-related conditions. Herein, we estimated the volatile profile and biological significance of M. rugulosa (Link) leaves for the first time supported by a dereplication protocol.Materials and methodsVolatile components were extracted using hydrodistillation (HD), supercritical fluid (SF), and headspace (HS) techniques and identified using GC/MS. The variations among the three extracts were assessed using principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least square discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). The extracted volatiles were tested for radical scavenging activity, anti-aging, and anti-hyperpigmentation potential. Finally, disc diffusion and broth microdilution assays were implemented to explore the antibacterial capacity against Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium perfringens, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.ResultsThe yield of the SF technique (0.8%) was three times higher than HD. GC/MS analysis revealed that the oxygenated compounds are the most proponents in the three extracts being 95.93% (HD), 80.94% (HS), and 48.4% (SF). Moreover, eucalyptol (1,8-cineol) represents the major component in the HD-EO (89.60%) and HS (73.13%) volatiles, while dl-α-tocopherol (16.27%) and α-terpineol (11.89%) represent the highest percentage in SF extract. Regarding the bioactivity profile, the HD-EO and SF-extract showed antioxidant potential in terms of oxygen radical absorbance capacity, and β- carotene assays, while exerting weak activity towards DPPH. In addition, they displayed potent anti-elastase and moderate anti-collagenase activities. The HD-EO exhibited potent anti-tyrosinase activity, while the SF extract showed a moderate level compared to tested controls. OPLS-DA and dereplication studies predicted that the selective antibacterial activity of HD-EO to S. aureus was related to eucalyptol, while SF extract to C. perfringens was related to α-tocopherol.ConclusionsM. rugulosa leaves are considered a vital source of bioactive volatile components that are promoted for controlling skin aging and infection. However, further safety and clinical studies are recommended.

Postharvest integration of prickly pear betalain-enriched gummies with different sugar substitutes for decoding diabetes type-II and skin resilience - in vitro and in silico study

Postharvest processing plays a crucial role in harnessing the benefits of prickly pear fruit by utilizing betalain as natural colorants to replace artificial colors in model food systems. Prickly pear betalain-enriched gummies were developed using various sugar substitutes, including table sugar, xylitol, stevia, and fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS). These gummies were analyzed for in vitro enzymatic inhibition, anti-inflammatory effects and molecular docking studies for decoding diabetes type-II and skin resilience. FTIR and HPLC confirmed the presence of betalain and isorhamnetin across all gummies. FOS and stevia incorporated gummies exhibited the highest polyphenolics and antioxidant activity. Betalain extract combined with stevia and FOS showed significant in vitro enzyme inhibition compared to other studied gummies. Specifically, FOS gummies showed the highest inhibition rates for α-amylase (23.58 %), α-glucosidase (24.12 %), tyrosinase (54.68 %), and collagenase (2.38 %). Additionally, all samples were non-toxic to RAW cell lines and exhibited anti-inflammatory effects. Molecular docking studies corroborated the in vitro results, and pharmacokinetics profiling confirmed the gummies' suitability for oral consumption and skin safety. The developed prickly pear betalain-enriched gummies, particularly those formulated with fructo-oligosaccharides and stevia, demonstrate significant potential as functional supplements for managing diabetes type-II and skin-related conditions.

Synthesis and biological assessment of novel 4H-chromene-3-carbonitrile derivatives as tyrosinase inhibitors.

Excessive activity of the tyrosinase enzyme during melanogenesis results in hyperpigmentation in the skin. To address this issue, there is a need to develop effective tyrosinase inhibitors as a treatment for hyperpigmentation. In this study, we synthesized some novel 4H-chromene-3-carbonitrile compounds (6a-o) and assessed their inhibitory activities against tyrosinase, comparing them with kojic acid, which is known as a positive control. Compound 6f emerged as the most effective inhibitor, with an IC50 of 35.38 ± 2.12 µM. Kinetic studies of 6f exhibited competitive inhibition, with Ki = 16.15 µM. Molecular docking studies highlighted the importance of π-π stacking and hydrogen bonding interactions within the binding site. Molecular dynamics simulations showed that the R-enantiomer 6f exhibited superior binding stability compared to the S-enantiomer, with a lower standard deviation of RMSD and more persistent interactions with the key active site residues. These findings underscore the potential of the R-enantiomer of compound 6f as a potent tyrosinase inhibitor and provide insights for developing effective treatments for hyperpigmentation and related skin conditions.

Multifunctional Molybdenum-Based Nanoclusters Engineered Gelatin Methacryloyl as In Situ Photo-Cross-Linkable Hybrid Hydrogel Dressings for Enhanced Wound Healing.

Skin injuries and wounds present significant clinical challenges, necessitating the development of advanced wound dressings for efficient wound healing and tissue regeneration. In this context, the advancement of hydrogels capable of counteracting the adverse effects arising from undesirable reactive oxygen species (ROS) is of significant importance. This study introduces a hybrid hydrogel with rapid photocuring and excellent conformability, tailored to ameliorate the hostile microenvironment of damaged skin tissues. The hybrid hydrogel, composed of photoresponsive Gelatin Methacryloyl (GelMA) and Molybdenum-based nanoclusters (MNC), exhibits physicochemical characteristics conductive to skin regeneration. In vitro studies demonstrated the cytocompatibility and ROS-responsive behavior of the MNC/GelMA hybrid hydrogels, confirming their ability to promote human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) functions. The incorporation of MNC into GelMA not only enhances HDF adhesion, proliferation, and migration but also shields against oxidative damage induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Notably, in vivo evaluation in murine full-thickness skin defects revealed that the application of hybrid hydrogel dressings led to reduced inflammation, accelerated wound closure, and enhanced collagen deposition in comparison to control groups. Significantly, this study introduced a convenient approach to develop in situ ROS-scavenging hydrogel dressings to accelerate the wound healing process without the need for exogenous cytokines or medications. We consider that the nanoengineering approach proposed herein offers potential possibilities for the development of therapeutic hydrogel dressings addressing various skin-related conditions.

High-density culturing of the dermal fibroblast cells on hydrogel-based soft microcarriers for cell therapy application

Dermal fibroblasts play a pivotal role in cell therapy, serving as versatile cells essential for tissue repair and regeneration. Their unique ability to produce extracellular matrix components contributes significantly to the efficacy and success of various cell-based therapies in treating skin-related conditions and wounds. Scaling up the production of dermal fibroblasts poses a challenge due to their limited lifespan in culture and the need to maintain their specialized functions over multiple generations. Bioreactors offer a promising solution by providing controlled environments that optimize cell growth, allowing for higher yields of dermal fibroblasts while preserving their functionality and minimizing the limitations associated with traditional culture methods. To overcome the critical challenges in large-scale cell manufacturing, we fine-tuned the composition of our existing smart microcarrier, Cytogel, and tailored its chemical and physical properties to cultivate dermal fibroblasts. The fibroblast cell attachment rate to the new optimized formulation is more than 90%, followed by 60% thermal detachment efficiency in 1 h. Additionally, cells harvested from Cytogel displayed superior CD90 expression and enhanced collagen production compared to fibroblasts cultured in tissue flasks in both static and dynamic bioreactor cultures. Overall, our developed hydrogel-based microcarriers exhibited significant promise for efficient cell expansion, offering a groundbreaking approach for industrial-scale cell culture for cell therapeutic applications.

Variation of skin hydration profile with biophysical factors and lifestyle revealed by in vivo terahertz sensing.

The skin, being the body's largest organ, plays a pivotal role in protecting the body against dangerous external factors. The maintenance of adequate hydration levels is essential for the skin to fulfill this protective function. However, skin hydration depends upon different biophysical factors and lifestyles, such as ethnicity, sex, age, water consumption, and many more. Consequently, methods to assess skin hydration in a precise and non-invasive manner are in high demand. In this paper, using a portable and handheld terahertz (THz) probe, we systematically examine the correlation between diverse biophysical factors and skin hydration profile in a population exceeding 300 participants. Through comparative analysis of THz light reflected from the skin against a dielectric model, we successfully extracted the thickness and hydration percentage of the outermost layer of the epidermis, the stratum corneum (SC). Our findings indicate that SC hydration and thickness are associated with variables such as daily water consumption, age, drinking coffee, and exercise. Additionally, our measurements reveal distinctions in the skin's hydration properties concerning susceptibility to UV-induced effects by bringing in the Fitzpatrick skin types. This THz-based technique holds the potential for facile integration into clinical settings for the evaluation and diagnosis of various skin-related conditions.

Anti-Melanogenic Effects of Cnidium monnieri Extract via p38 Signaling-Mediated Proteasomal Degradation of Tyrosinase.

Cnidium monnieri fructus is widely used in traditional Oriental medicine for treating female genital disorders, male impotence, frigidity, and skin-related conditions in East Asia. However, the role of C. monnieri fructus extract (CMFE) in melanin synthesis is not well elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the anti-melanogenesis effect and mechanism of action of CMFE in α-MSH-stimulated B16F10 cells. Intracellular melanin content and tyrosinase activity were measured in α-MSH-stimulated B16F10 cells treated with various concentrations of CMFE (0.5-5 μg/mL). mRNA and protein levels of tyrosinase and MITF were evaluated using qRT-PCR and ting. CMFE's effect on the proteasomal degradation of tyrosinase was confirmed using a proteasomal degradation inhibitor, MG132. CMFE treatment activated p38, a protein associated with proteasomal degradation. Treatment with CMFE at up to 5 μg/mL showed no significant cytotoxicity. CMFE significantly reduced α-MSH-stimulated melanin production (43.29 ± 3.55% decrease, p < 0.05) and cellular tyrosinase activity (31.14 ± 3.15% decrease, p < 0.05). Although mRNA levels of MITF and tyrosinase increased, CMFE suppressed tyrosinase protein levels. The suppressive effect of CMFE on tyrosinase protein was blocked by MG132. CMFE inhibited melanogenesis by promoting the proteasome degradation of tyrosinase through p38 activation. These findings suggest that CMFE has the potential to be a natural whitening agent for inhibiting melanogenesis.

An ethnobotanical survey investigating medicinal plants used by Cape bush doctors to treat dermatophyte infections

IntroductionOver the past few years, the incidence of dermatophyte infections has increased at an alarming rate. The treatment for these infections is becoming more difficult especially because fungal pathogens have developed resistance to conventional treatments. The Cape Metropole region in South Africa has an abundance of plant species and is the residence of herbalists, called Cape bush doctors who use some of these diverse plants to treat various skin-related conditions. There are limited ethnobotanical studies that have been conducted on the medicinal plants they use to treat dermatophyte infections. Therefore, this study aimed to report on the knowledge and practices of Cape bush doctors concerning their use of medicinal plants for treating dermatophyte infections. MethodologyA cross-sectional study was performed using an interview-based questionnaire to investigate (1) the knowledge of bush doctors regarding skin infections, (2) the practices of bush doctors along with the medicinal plants used when treating fungal skin infections, and (3) selected plants identified with potential anti-fungal activity in vitro, were further explored to assess their application in the treatment of fungal infections by bush doctors. ResultsParticipants confirmed the use of the fifteen selected medicinal plants identified in the literature. Additionally, twenty other plant species were mentioned as having antifungal properties. Most plants reported belonged to the Xanthorrhoeaceae, Amaryllidaceae, Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, and Rutaceae families. ConclusionThis study shows that bush doctors use a vast array of plant species to treat dermatophyte conditions. This indicates the diversity of medicinal plant species used and that these doctors associated indigenous knowledge is of great value. Therapeutic uses of the documented plants provide data for further pharmacological studies.

Mining the health disparities and minority health bibliome: A computational scoping review and gap analysis of 200,000+ articles.

Without comprehensive examination of available literature on health disparities and minority health (HDMH), the field is left vulnerable to disproportionately focus on specific populations or conditions, curtailing our ability to fully advance health equity. Using scalable open-source methods, we conducted a computational scoping review of more than 200,000 articles to investigate major populations, conditions, and themes as well as notable gaps. We also compared trends in studied conditions to their relative prevalence using insurance claims (42 million Americans). HDMH publications represent 1% of articles in Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE). Most studies are observational in nature, although randomized trial reporting has increased fivefold in the past 20 years. Half of HDMH articles concentrate on only three disease groups (cancer, mental health, and endocrine/metabolic disorders), while hearing, vision, and skin-related conditions are among the least well represented despite substantial prevalence. To support further investigation, we present HDMH Monitor, an interactive dashboard and repository generated from the HDMH bibliome.

Large-scale epidemiological analysis of common skin diseases to identify shared and unique comorbidities and demographic factors.

The utilization of large-scale claims databases has greatly improved the management, accessibility, and integration of extensive medical data. However, its potential for systematically identifying comorbidities in the context of skin diseases remains unexplored. This study aims to assess the capability of a comprehensive claims database in identifying comorbidities linked to 14 specific skin and skin-related conditions and examining temporal changes in their association patterns. This study employed a retrospective case-control cohort design utilizing 13 million skin/skin-related patients and 2 million randomly sampled controls from Optum's de-identified Clinformatics® Data Mart Database spanning the period from 2001 to 2018.A broad spectrum of comorbidities encompassing cancer, diabetes, respiratory, mental, immunity, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular conditions were examined for each of the 14 skin and skin-related disorders in the study. Using the established type-2 diabetes (T2D) and psoriasis comorbidity as example, we demonstrated the association is significant (P-values<1x10-15) and stable across years (OR=1.15-1.31). Analysis of the 2014-2018 data reveals that celiac disease, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis exhibit the strongest associations with the 14 skin/skin-related conditions. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), leprosy, and hidradenitis suppurativa show the strongest associations with 30 different comorbidities. Particularly notable associations include Crohn's disease with leprosy (odds ratio [OR]=6.60, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.09-14.08), primary biliary cirrhosis with SLE (OR=6.07, 95% CI: 4.93-7.46), and celiac disease with SLE (OR=6.06, 95% CI: 5.49-6.69). In addition, changes in associations were observed over time. For instance, the association between atopic dermatitis and lung cancer demonstrates a marked decrease over the past decade, with the odds ratio decreasing from 1.75 (95% CI: 1.47-2.07) to 1.02 (95% CI: 0.97-1.07). The identification of skin-associated comorbidities contributes to individualized healthcare and improved clinical management, while also enhancing our understanding of shared pathophysiology. Moreover, tracking these associations over time aids in evaluating the progression of clinical diagnosis and treatment. The findings highlight the potential of utilizing comprehensive claims databases in advancing research and improving patient care in dermatology.

Understanding the Needs and Lived Experiences of Patients With Graft-Versus-Host Disease: Real-World European Public Social Media Listening Study.

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is the major cause of short- and long-term morbidity and mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Treatment options beyond corticosteroid therapy remain limited, and prolonged treatment often leads to impaired quality of life (QoL). A better understanding of the needs and experiences of patients with GVHD is required to improve patient care. The aim of this study is to explore different social media (SM) channels for gathering and analyzing the needs and experiences of patients and other stakeholders across 14 European countries. We conducted a retrospective analysis of SM data from the public domain. The Talkwalker social analytics tool collected data from open-access forums, blogs, and various social networking sites using predefined search strings. The raw data set derived from the aggregator tool was automatically screened for the relevancy of posts, generating the curated data set that was manually reviewed to identify posts that fell within the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. This final data set was then used for the deep-dive analysis. A total of 9016 posts relating to GVHD were identified between April 2019 and April 2021. Deduplication and relevancy checks resulted in 325 insightful posts, with Twitter contributing 250 (77%) posts; blogs, 49 (15%) posts; forums, 13 (4%) posts; Facebook, 7 (2%) posts; and Instagram and YouTube, 4 (1%) posts. Patients with GVHD were the primary stakeholders, contributing 63% of all SM posts. In 234 posts, treatment was the most discussed stage of the patient journey (68%), followed by symptoms (33%), and diagnosis and tests (21%). Among treatment-related posts (n=159), steroid therapy was most frequently reported (54/159, 34%). Posts relating to treatment features (n=110) identified efficacy (45/110, 41%), side effects (38/110, 35%), and frequency and dosage (32/110, 29%), as the most frequently discussed features. Symptoms associated with GVHD were described in 24% (77/325) of posts, including skin-related conditions (49/77, 64%), dry eyes or vision change (13/77, 17%), pain and cramps (16/77, 21%), and fatigue or muscle weakness (12/77, 16%). The impacts of GVHD on QoL were discussed in 51% (165/325) of all posts, with the emotional, physical and functional, social, and financial impacts mentioned in 69% (114/165), 50% (82/165), 5% (8/165), and 2% (3/165) of these posts, respectively. Unmet needs were reported by patients or caregivers in 24% (77/325) of analyzed conversations, with treatment-related side effects being the most common (35/77, 45%) among these posts. SM listening is a useful tool to identify medical needs. Treatment of GVHD, including treatment-related side effects, as well as its emotional and physical impact on QoL, are the major topics that GVHD stakeholders mention on SM. We encourage a structured discussion of these topics in interactions between health care providers and patients with GVHD. Not applicable.

Cardiovascular and Venous Thromboembolic Risk With JAK Inhibitors in Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Skin Diseases

Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors are an effective treatment option for patients with certain skin-related conditions, such as atopic dermatitis, alopecia areata, and vitiligo, but there is a current US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) boxed warning label for oral and topical JAK inhibitors regarding increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), venous thromboembolism (VTE), serious infections, malignant neoplasm, and death. However, this boxed warning was precipitated by results of the Oral Rheumatoid Arthritis Trial (ORAL) Surveillance study, which only included patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and the same association may not be observed in dermatologic conditions. To determine the risk of all-cause mortality, MACE, and VTE with JAK inhibitors in patients with dermatologic conditions. PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched from database inception to April 1, 2023. This review included phase 3 randomized clinical trials with a placebo/active comparator group of JAK inhibitors used for a dermatologic indication with FDA approval or pending approval or with European Union or Japanese approval. Studies without a comparison group, case reports, observational studies, and review articles were excluded. This study was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Adverse events using odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs were calculated using a random-effects model and the DerSimonian-Laird method. Studies were screened, data abstracted, and quality assessed by 2 independent authors. The protocol was prospectively registered with PROSPERO. Primary outcomes were a composite of adjudicated MACE and all-cause mortality, and VTE. The analysis included 35 randomized clinical trials with 20 651 patients (mean [SD] age, 38.5 [10.1] years; male, 54%) and a mean (SD) follow-up time of 4.9 (2.68) months. Findings did not show a significant difference between JAK inhibitors and placebo/active comparator in composite MACE and all-cause mortality (OR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.44-1.57) or VTE (OR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.26-1.04). In this systematic review and meta-analysis, use of JAK inhibitors was not associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality, MACE, and VTE compared to the placebo/active comparator groups. Additional trials with long-term follow-up are needed to better understand the safety risks of JAK inhibitors used for dermatologic indications.

Hyaluronic acid engineered gallic acid embedded chitosan nanoparticle as an effective delivery system for treatment of psoriasis

Psoriasis is a deleterious auto-immune disorder which seriously harms the patients physical and mental health. CD44 are found to be over-expressed on psoriatic lesions which are highly responsible for epidermal hyperproliferation and inflammation. Gallic acid (GA), a phenolic acid natural compound has potential inhibitory impact on pro-inflammatory transcription factors. However, the penetration across skin and availability is low when applied topically, making the treatment extremely challenging. Considering such factors, we developed GA loaded chitosan nanoparticles and modified with hyaluronic acid (HA) (HA@CS-GA NP) to assess the therapeutic potential against psoriasis. The formulations were characterized by DSC, zetasizer and TEM for assuring the development of nanosystems. GA loaded CS NP had a particle size of 207.2 ± 0.08 nm while after coating with HA, the size increased to 220.1 ± 0.18 nm. The entrapment efficiency was 93.24 ± 0.132% and drug loading of 73.17 ± 0.23%. The in vitro cell viability assessment study confirmed enhanced anti-proliferative effect of HA@CS-GA NP over plain GA which is due to high sensitivity towards HaCaT cell. The in vivo results on imiquimod induced psoriasis model indicated that CD44 receptor mediated targeted approach of HA@CS-GA NP gel had great potential in restricting the keratinocyte hyperproliferation and circumventing psoriasis. For the therapy of further skin-related conditions, HA modified nanoparticles should be investigated extensively employing genes, antibodies, chemotherapeutics, or natural substances.

Anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory effects of the application of baclofen cream, a GABAB receptor agonist, on skin inflammation in mice

Previous studies have demonstrated the role of γ-aminobutyric acid type B (GABAB) receptors in skin-related conditions and pain. However, most studies have focused on the main effects of GABAB on the central nervous system. Therefore, this study has aimed to determine the potential topical anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative effects of baclofen cream in an inflammatory skin disease model. The effects of the baclofen cream were evaluated using acute and chronic models of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced skin inflammation in mouse ears. Histological and immunohistochemical evaluations were performed using an ear oedema assay. The effect of baclofen on keratinocyte proliferation was assessed in PAM212, the murine keratinocyte cell line. The results demonstrate that a single topical application of 5% baclofen, 7.5% baclofen, and 1% dexamethasone each inhibited acute TPA-induced ear oedema (58.94 ± 6.14%, 47.73 ± 11.26%, and 87.33 ± 4.59%, respectively). These results were confirmed by histological analysis. In the chronic model, baclofen (5%) and dexamethasone (1%) each inhibited ear oedema and the maximum inhibitory effect was reached at the end of the experiment (9th day of TPA application) with a percentage inhibition of 54.60 ± 6.15% for baclofen and 71.68 ± 3.45% for dexamethasone, when compared to the vehicle. These results were confirmed by histological analysis. Baclofen and dexamethasone also reduced proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression by 62.01 ± 6.65% and 70.42 ± 6.11%, respectively. However, baclofen did not inhibit keratinocyte proliferation in PAM212 cells. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that baclofen exhibits notable topical antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory properties and could be a potential therapeutic alternative for treating inflammatory and proliferative skin diseases.

Melanoma Detection by Automated Reconfiguration System Using Local Binary Pattern

The biggest organ in the body is the human skin. Its weight is between six and nine pounds, and its surface area is roughly two square yards. The body's internal organs and the outside world are separated from one another by the skin. Dermoscopy technology was developed to improve melanoma diagnosis, a type of cancer that often starts in skin pigment cells (melanocytes). Dermoscopy, a non-invasive skin imaging technique, is used to acquire an image of a section of skin that has been enlarged and illuminated in order to make the skin spots more visible. Skin-related conditions are the most prevalent diseases worldwide. Despite being prevalent, its diagnosis is exceedingly challenging and necessitates a wealth of expertise in the field. To precisely identify the disease, we employ a dual stage methodology that successfully blends Computer Vision on clinically assessed histological features. First, several pre-processing techniques are used to the skin disease image, and then feature extraction is done. Key Word: DIP, MATLAB, Diagnose, Melanoma

Ethnopharmacological Survey of Medicinal Plants Used in the Management of Skin-Related Conditions in Ilorin, North-Central, Nigeria

The abundance of plants with medicinal values has been of great impact on the skincare industry in Nigeria. However, proper documentation of plants with skincare values has not been made. Hence, this study was aimed at surveying the traditional medicinal values of some commonly used plants for the management of skin conditions by herbal practitioners in Ilorin metropolis. Ethnobotanical and demographic information of willing respondents were obtained on the most commonly used medicinal plants via semi-structured questionnaires and oral interviews. The names of the plants were further confirmed in the world flora online (www.worldfloraonline.org). A total of 57 plants species representing 30 families, were reported by 62 respondents including males (40%) and females (60%) designated as herbs sellers (32%), traditional medicine practitioners (16%), farmers (8%), and housewives (11 %). Their knowledge sources include inheritance (40%), training (24 %), and a combination of inheritance and training (36%). Euphorbiaceae was the most cited (11 %) plant family, the leaves were the most cited (48%) plant part used, crush to extract juice was the most widely used (51%) method of preparation, and topical application on the affected spot was the most reported (43%) method of administration. The plants mentioned in this survey were reported to have applications against psoriasis, eczema, boils, acne, measles, dandruff, rashes, and wounds. General skin conditions represented the most commonly mentioned (14%) skin condition; while mastitis was the least mentioned (1%) condition. Also, the highest (0.923) informant consensus factor (ICF) was mentioned for insect bites; while the least (0.263) ICF was mentioned for general skin conditions. This study documented some of the medicinal plants that have been used to treat various skin-related conditions most of which have been mentioned in available scientific pieces of literature.

HERBAL COMPONENTS AS AN ADVANTAGEOUS REMEDY FOR PIMPLE AND ACNE IN FACE-WASH: A SYSTEMIC REVIEW

erbal formulations are in high demand on the global market. The human epidermis is the most vulnerable organ in the body to infections and disease-causing microbes. It also acts as the majorly responsible body part for respiration. As a result, it needs a great deal of care and protection. Many skin issues can occur throughout puberty due to internal component imbalances and hormone imbalances. The most prevalent skin condition is acne. The most commonly afflicted areas are the face and neck. The removal of oil from the face is a preventative measure. This will need proper cleaning and washing. Antibiotic gels and anti-acne washes or masks containing synthetic medicines are presently available on the market. Unfortunately, in addition to treating illnesses and killing infections, these medicines may have adverse effects. Various studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of herbal-based compositions for cleansing and oil removal. As a result of this necessity, we came up with the notion of using herbs and various plant derived components markedly useful in the various treatments of skin-related conditions. The characteristics of various face wash and their efficacy are reviewed in the current study comprehensively. The main objective of this study is the comparison of Ingredients used in various formulations of face wash like Neem, Aloe vera, Belpatra, Curry, Haldi, Lemon, Indian madder, Sweet flag, Lodhra, Gelling agent, Preservative, Neutralizer, Humectants, Vehicle, Perfume, Chelating agent, on the basis of evaluation and effective development of emerging techniques used in the markedly available face wash which reportedly proven as an advantageous measure of treatment.

Perceptual learning in dermatology-A Finnish cohort study of undergraduate medical students.

Implicit visual skills play an important role in the recognition of skin-related conditions. We aimed to evaluate effectiveness and practicability of digital perceptual learning modules (PLMs) during undergraduate teaching of dermatology. The study consisted of four subsequent dermatology courses including 105 medical students. PLMs designed for an online setting were carried out before, during and at course ends, as well as 6-12 months after the courses (N = 33). We investigated four important outcome measures regarding perceptual learning: diagnostic accuracy (%-percentage of correct responses), decision duration (response time), recognized features (decision basis) and student-perceived confidence. Diagnostic accuracy (p < 0.001, effect size = 0.82), fluency (p < 0.001, = 0.23) and confidence (p < 0.001, = 0.74) increased significantly with successive PLMs during courses. Students classified more visual features and based the diagnosis more on primary lesion. Accuracy increased in all tasks during the courses and reached over 90% in diagnoses of the first to third task difficulty quartile. In the most difficult quartile accuracy reached to 60%. In the follow-up, students' performance remained at high level. Analysis of diagnostic errors showed that there were specific conditions which were systematically confused with each other. Digital PLMs improved high rates of diagnostic accuracy, fluency and student-perceived confidence in recognition of skin-related conditions. There was a long-term consistency in high performance suggesting effective learning retention. In the digital setting, PLMs were practicable and easily integrated into traditional teachings. We believe that there is extensive potential for a wider use of perceptual learning to improve nonanalytical visual skills in dermatology and medical education in general.

A homoeopathic approach on cellulitis

The most frequent reason for hospitalisation for skin-related conditions is cellulitis, a deep dermal and subcutaneous tissue infection. To reduce the clinical features, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory capsules and antibiotics are recommended. However, these drugs cause complications and unintended side effects. Therefore, homoeopathy, which aids in permanent treatment barring the use of antibiotics, can be used to choose a safer course of treatment.