Herbal Extracts Induce Dermal Papilla Cell Proliferation of Human Hair Follicles

BACKGROUND: The number of people suffering from balding or hair thinning is increasing, despite the advances in various medical therapies. Therefore, it is highly important to develop new therapies to inhibit balding and increase hair proliferation. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effects of herbal extracts commonly used for improving balding in traditional medicine to identify potential agents for hair proliferation. METHODS: The expression levels of 5alpha-reductase isoforms (type I and II) were analyzed using quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in the human follicular dermal papilla cells (DPCs). The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenylteterazolium bromide and bromodeoxyuridine tests were used to evaluate the cell proliferation effect of herbal extracts in DPCs. The expression levels of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), Akt, cyclin D1, cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (Cdk4), B-cell lymphoma (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) were measured using western blot analysis. RESULTS: The 5alpha-reductase isoform mRNAs and proteins were detected in the cultured DPCs, and the expression level of 5alpha-R2 in DPCs in the presence of the herbal extracts was gradually decreased. Herbal extracts were found to significantly increase the proliferation of human DPCs at concentrations ranging from 1.5% to 4.5%. These results show that the herbal extracts tested affected the protein expressions of ERK, Akt, cyclin D1, Cdk4, Bcl-2, and Bax in DPCs. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that herbal extracts exert positive effects on hair proliferation via ERK, Akt, cyclin D1, and Cdk4 signaling in DPCs; they also suggest that herbal extracts could be a great alternative therapy for increasing hair proliferation.

Ablative fractional co[2] laser may be a novel treatment for tattoo allergic reaction

A 47 year-old woman presented with eight-month history of tattoo allergic reaction of eyebrows after botulinum toxin A injection that was resistant to oral, topical and intralesional injection of corticosteroids. Multiple sessions of treatment with CO2 fractional laser resulted in significant flattening of allergic papules and plaques as well as reduction of tattoo pigmentation.

Does pimecrolimus cream enhance the effect of excimer laser on eyelid vitiligo?

Vitiligo is a cutaneous disorder of pigmentation, for which, there are some proven modalities of treatment. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of the addition of topical pimecrolimus to 308nm Excimer laser in reducing treatment duration and improving the response rate of eyelid vitiligo, compared with 308nm Excimer laser monotherapy. Fifty two symmetrically localized lesions of eyelid vitiligo in 26 patients were observed. Each of vitiliginous patches was treated with 308nm Excimer laser twice a week for a total of 30 sessions. Topical pimecrolimus 1% cream was applied to the patches of right eyelid[group A lesions] and eucerine cream as a placebo to the left side patches[group B lesions]twice daily, throughout the study. Photographs were taken at baseline, 6 and 15 weeks after starting the treatment. Twenty two patients [44 lesions] completed the study. Repigmentation was appeared in all [100%] of groups A and B lesions. A 75% or more repigmentation was achieved in 17 [78%] of group A versus 14 [64%] of group B lesions. The average number of sessions needed for the appearance of repigmentation was 8 for group A lesions and 12 for group. The repigmentaion of 50% or more in patients with disease duration of 2 years or less and those with more than 2 years duration ere 100% and 59.2%, respectively. Repigmentation rate obtained by the combination therapy of eyelid vitiligo with 308nm Excimer laser and topical Pimecrolimus 1%cream is significantly higher, and obtained in fewer sessions in comparison with 308nm Excimer laser and placebo combination therapy

Nonablative fractional laser resurfacing

The desire to achieve cosmetic rejuvenation and reduce effects of aging and photodamage urged scientists to develop effectual techniques which have minimal side effects and impressive long-term efficacy. Traditional ablative resurfacing laser therapy has been used for several years;however, it has harmful side effects on the patient's skin such as dyspigmentation, persistent erythema, infections, acneiform eruptions and scarring. It also prolongs downtime, so it puts a significant burden on society. Nonablative resurfacing laser therapy declines side effects of traditional therapies, although it has lower effectiveness in comparison with ablative one. Nonablative fractional resurfacing laser therapy commenced a modern technique which diminished side effects, while maintains the efficacy of traditional methods. The aim of of this current review is to sum up nonablative fractional laser therapies used for skin photorejuvenation at the past and present time and to evaluate the indications, advantages and classification of it and non-fractional resurfacing laser therapy

Evaluation of efficacy of intense pulsed light [IPL] system in the treatment of facial acne vulgaris: comparision of different pulse durations; a pilot study

Adequate control of acne is difficult, regardless of the various conventional modalities. Intense Pulsed Light [IPL] system is one of the emerging options that are become increasingly useful. To achieve the best IPL parameters we evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of IPL at 752-nm wavelength, 35 j/cm2 fluence, 55-ms pulse duration in comparison with 572-nm wavelength, 35 j/cm2 fluence, 101-ms pulse duration, in a 5 week, controlled, double-blind, split-face clinical trial. Final assessment was made by comparison of the changes in inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne lesions count and the Acne Global Severity Scale [AGSS] between two groups, based on standardized photography. Fifteen female patients, with mean age of 23.53 +/- 2.47 years [range 20-28] completed the 5-week therapy period. For both therapies, significant reductions [approximately 30%] in the comedone and inflammatory lesions count were observed [p=0.0024]. There was no significant difference in the efficacy of the two treatments in reducing the percentage of comedone and inflammatory lesions count from baseline to 5th week [p=0.76 and p=0.61, respectively]. Based on acne global severity scale [AGSS], no significant difference in the severity of acne lesions of the two treatments was observed at 5th-week visit [p=0.26]. Considering the lack of significant difference between the two treatments and since greater risks are associated with lower pulse duration, the use of longer pulse durations is recommended, especially in darker skin phenotype. Further studies with larger number of patients are required to fully comparison of efficacy of these parameters in IPL systems for acne vulgaris

use of intense pulsed light [IPL] for the treatment of vascular lesions

According to the English literature, various lasers and light sources [i,g. argon ion lasers, pulsed KTP lasers, diode lasers and Nd: YAG lasers, pulsed dye laser [PDL], intense pulsed light sources [IPLS] are applicable for the treatment of different vascular lesions. These conditions are the most important indication for laser therapy. This review summarizes the current literature on IPL with regard to the treatment of vascular lesions

Selenium in patients with alopecia areata: a case-control study

Autoimmune mechanisms are involved in the etiology of alopecia areata. It is also shown that selenium has some effects on regulation of autoimmune mechanisms.To compare the plasma level of selenium between those with and without alopecia areata. In this case-control study, 29 patients with alopecia areata referred to Razi hospital in Tehran, and 29 persons without this disease were selected consequently. Plasma level of selenium was determined and compared between the groups. The mean age of cases was 24.9 +/- 10.5 and of controls was 29.1 +/- 10.5 years. In both groups 15 [51.7%] patients were males and 14 [48.3%] of them were females. The mean plasma selenium level in cases was significantly lower than what was observed in controls [62.1 +/- 13.3 g/L vs. 88.3 +/- 13.2g/L, P<0.0005]. This study indicated that mean plasma selenium level in patients with alopecia areata was lower than those without this disorder. It is recommended to evaluate the effects of adding selenium to dietary regimen of patients with alopecia areata