Effect of urea-extracted sericin on melanogenesis: potential applications in post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation

BACKGROUND: Hyperpigmentation disorders such as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation are major concerns not only in light-skinned people but also in Asian populations with darker skin. The anti-tyrosinase and immunomodulatory effects of sericin have been known for decades. However, the therapeutic effects of sericin on hyperpigmentation disorders have not been well documented. METHODS: In this study, we used an in vitro model to study the anti-tyrosinase, tolerogenic, and anti-melanogenic effects of sericin on Staphylococcus aureus peptidoglycan (PEG)-stimulated melanocytes, dendritic cells (DCs), and artificial skin (MelanoDerm™). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, conventional and immunolabeled electron microscopy, and histopathological studies were performed. RESULTS: The results revealed that urea-extracted sericin has strong anti-tyrosinase properties as shown by a reduction of tyrosinase activity in melanin pigments both 48 h and 10 days after allergic induction with PEG. Anti-inflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, and transforming growth factor-p were upregulated upon sericin treatment (10, 20, and 50 µg/mL), whereas production of allergic chemokines, CCL8 and CCL18, by DCs was diminished 48 h after allergic induction with PEG. Moreover, sericin lowered the expression of micropthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), a marker of melanogenesis regulation, in melanocytes and keratinocytes, which contributed to the reduction of melanin size and the magnitude of melanin deposition. However, sericin had no effect on melanin transport between melanocytes and keratinocytes, as demonstrated by a high retention of cytoskeletal components. CONCLUSION: In summary, sericin suppresses melanogenesis by inhibition of tyrosinase activity, reduction of inflammation and allergy, and modulation of MITF function.

Self-medicated over the counter ophthalmic solutions in central Bangkok.

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of research about patients' attitudes, motivations and expectations towards self-medicated over the counter (OTC) ophthalmic solutions. OBJECTIVES: To identify the attitudes, motivations and expectations of general population towards self-medicated OTC ophthalmic solutions. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 200 consecutive participants who were studying or lived in Patumwan District of Bangkok filled in a questionnaire in a 3-months period. RESULTS: 67.5% (135/200) of the participants had an age range of 15-24 years old and 32.5% (65/200) were between 25-35 years old. Participants who were university graduates and currently university students were 53% and 35.5% respectively. Most history of illness was allergy (10/200). Half of the participants had normal vision and 40% (80/200) were near-sighted. The factor that most influenced the use of solution was dust in the eye (55%-111/200). Ocular allergic symptoms, such as eye itching, irritation and tearing, was the second. The most frequent symptom that induced the use of solutions was eye itching and irritation (48.5%-97/200). The symptom of red or pink eye was the second (33%-66/200). 48.5% (97/200) and 53.50% (107/200) of participants started using the solution at the time the influencing symptoms occurred and used for one day respectively. 46.5% (93/200) of the participants realized that the solution could be use only within 1 month after opening. CONCLUSION: From the data of this survey, more information and knowledge about the use of OTC products needs to be campaigned, even among highly educated citizens in the center of Bangkok. Better information for patients could improve the safety of OTC medicines. The ways of advising patients need to be found. The uncertainty is, therefore, how far this trend will go and how health care professionals and consumers will resspond.

Evaluation of patient counseling on blood pressure control of out-patients with hypertension at Chulalongkorn Hospital.

Patient counseling has a significant effect on compliance with prescription regimens, prevent drug interactions and medication errors. This was a self-controlled experimental study to evaluate the effect of patient counseling on blood pressure control in out-patients with hypertension at Chulalongkorn Hospital. Systolic and diastolic pressure of randomly selected patients were recorded for at least three months before receiving patient counseling. After three months, those patients received counseling on drug, diseases and life-style modification from a pharmacist after a hospital visit and blood pressure was monitored every month for three consecutive months or after each visit. The result showed that 68 patients out of 78 patients could not maintain their blood pressure before receiving counseling. However, after patient counseling, 54 patients had mean arterial pressure within the range specified by the Joint National Committee (JNC VI) after the second doctor visit. Patient counseling was highly significant in blood pressure control using the chi-square test (chi2 = 51.29).