Background/Aim: Finasteride (FN) has been widely used to treat androgenetic alopecia (AGA). This study aimed at exploring the effect of FN on DP stem cell properties. Materials and Methods: Effect of FN on stem cell properties was tested in a DP cell line and 2 human primary DP cells (HDPCs1 and HDPCs2). Cell toxicity and growth were analyzed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The aggregation behavior was observed by phase-contrast microscopy and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Effects of FN on cell signaling were determined by western blotting and immunocytochemistry. Results: Treatment of DPCs with FN was able to significantly increase their aggregation behavior and the expression of stem cell transcription factors Nanog and Sox-2, when compared to the non-treated control. FN up-regulated stem cell regulatory proteins through the activation of protein kinase B (AKT), β-catenin, and integrin-β1. Conclusion: FN had an interesting biological effect on stem cell induction. These findings support the use of this drug for hair loss control and the development of regeneration approaches.
Skin fungal infection is still a serious public health problem due to the high number of cases. Even though medicines are available for this disease, drug resistance among patients has increased. Moreover, access to medicine is restricted in some areas. One of the therapeutic options is herbal medicine. This study aims to develop an ethosome formulation loaded with Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Smith. rhizome extract for enhanced antifungal activity in deep layer skin, which is difficult to cure. Ethosomes were successfully prepared by the cold method, and the optimized formulation was composed of 1% (w/v) phosphatidylcholine and 40% (v/v) ethanol. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) images revealed that the ethosomes had a vesicle shape with a diameter of 205.6–368.5 nm. The entrapment of ethosomes was 31.58% and could inhibit the growth of Candida albicans at a concentration of 312.5 μg/mL. Finally, the ethosome system significantly enhanced the skin penetration and retention of the active compound (zerumbone) compared with the liquid extract. This study showed that Z. zerumbet (L.) rhizome extract could be loaded into ethosomes. The findings could be carried over to the next step for clinical application by conducting further in vivo penetration and permeation tests.
Fresh leaves of Clausena harmandiana were collected, and voucher specimen No. Nichakan-005
Fungal and bacterial skin diseases are still major public health concerns in Thailand. Despite the accessibility of numerous antimicrobial medications, antibiotic resistance remains a problem. Furthermore, only a few new medicines have been developed, and their side effects are a cause for concern. Identifying and utilizing natural chemicals is an alternative resolution for these issues. The rhizome of Zingiber zerumbet (L.) is one of the herbs used as an antibiotic in Eastern Thailand. This research aimed to develop an appropriate extraction method for Z. zerumbet (L.) rhizome using different solvents. The extract's biomarkers and various pharmacological activities were also analyzed. Results showed that the ethanol extract had no effect on the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, or Candida albicans. Meanwhile, the hexane and dichloromethane extracts had minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 0.01562 and 0.03125 mg/ml, respectively, for S. aureus. Their MBC and minimal fungicidal concentration for S. epidermidis and C. albicans were 0.03125 and 0.0625 mg/ml, respectively. The ethanol extract outperformed the dichloromethane and hexane extracts in terms of antioxidant activity as measured by 2,2ʹ-azinobis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assays. Furthermore, the ethanol extract showed anti-inflammatory properties as determined by the protein denaturation test. Finally, the LC 50 values of ethanol, dichloromethane, and hexane extracts were 122.78, 220.76, and 67.96 g/ml, respectively, according to the cytotoxicity assay. These findings suggest that the extract from Z. zerumbet (L.) rhizome could be employed to develop an antimicrobial medicine in the future.
Chaetoceros sp. has been found to possess significant amounts of valuable fucoxanthin, phenolics, and flavonoids, with enormous nutraceutical and antioxidant potential. The aim of this study was to employ ultrasound-assisted extraction to determine the antioxidant properties of extracts prepared from Chaetoceros tenuissimus using different solvents: Propylene glycol (PG), acetone (AC), and methanol (ME), with difference ultrasonication times (15 and 30 min). The total phenolic (TPC), flavonoid (TFC), and fucoxanthin (FUC) contents were evaluated. Antioxidant capacity was evaluated by DPPH and ABTS radical-scavenging assays and lipid peroxidation by TBARS. The FUC content was analyzed by HPLC-DAD. 30-min PG extract (PG-30) exhibited the highest TPC (2.75 ± 0.14 mg GAE.g−1 DW), and FUC (8.76 ± 0.06 mg FUC. g−1). Concerning total antioxidant capacity, PG-30 was the most effective against DPPH• (IC50 = 970.19 ± 7.70 µg. mL−1) and TBARS (IC50 = 717.05 ± 1.45 µg. mL−1), while 15-min PG extract (PG-15) presented the highest inhibitory activity against ABTS+• (IC50 = 150.02 ± 6.95 µg. mL−1). The study findings demonstrate that PG extracts of C. tenuissimus exhibit high potential antioxidant activity, likely associated with their content of FUC and phenolics, and could be used in cosmetic preparations and as phytonutrients. HIGHLIGHTS Chaetoceros tenuissimus Meunier from Chonburi province, Thailand High antioxidant activities of tenuissimus extracts by ultrasound assisted extraction with different solvents The correlation between chemical substances content and antioxidant activity GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
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