A Novel Niosomal Combination of Selenium Coupled with Glucantime against Leishmania tropica

There is no effective treatment modality available against different forms of leishmaniasis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to improve the penetration and efficacy of selenium and glucantime coupled with niosomes and compared them with their simple forms alone on in vitro susceptibility assays. In this study, the niosomal formulations of selenium and in combination with glucantime were prepared. The size and morphology of the niosomal formulations were characterized and the effectivity of the new formulation was also evaluated using in vitro MTT assay, intra-macrophage model, and gene expression profile. From the results obtained, no cytotoxicity effect was observed for niosomal and simple forms of drugs, as alone or in combination. Niosomal formulations of the drugs significantly showed more inhibitory effects (P≤0.001) than the simple drugs when the selectivity index was considered. The gene expression levels of Interleukin (IL-10) significantly decreased, while the level of IL-12 and metacaspase significantly increased (P≤0.001). The results of the present study showed that selenium plus glucantime niosome possess a potent anti-leishmanial effect and enhanced their lethal activity as evidenced by the in vitro experiments.

efficacy of combined topical niosomal dapsone gel and intralesional injection of meglumine antimoniate in comparison with intralesional meglumine antimoniate and cryotherapy in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of niosomal dapsone gel and intralesional meglumine antimoniate with cryotherapy and intralesional meglumine antimoniate in cutaneous leishmaniasis

Methods This was a randomized clinical trial with 73 participants that were divided into two groups including, case group [weekly intralesional meglumine antimoniate and twice a day niosomal dapsone gel] and control group [weekly intralesional meglumine antimoniate with biweekly cryotherapy]. The treatment course continued until 16 weeks or complete cure, whatever occurred earlier and participants were followed up in 4th, 8th, 12th and 16th weeks of the treatment

Results Overall, 68 patients [33 males and 35 female] completed the study. Age, sex, size and duration of the lesions were not statistically different between two groups. At the end of the study, 82.9% of patients in case group showed complete response

Conclusion Niosomal dapsone gel has promising results with fewer adverse effects, so, it can be used as an alternative treatment modality, especially in children and patients with contraindication of systemic drugs

Effects of minoxidil gel on burn wound healing in rats

Minoxidil has been reported to inhibit in vitro fibroblast proliferation and lysyl hydroxylase activity, a key enzyme in collagen biosynthesis. These in-vitro effects proposed minoxidil to be a potential antifibrotic agent. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of minoxidil gel on wound healing procedure in a second-degree burn model in rats. Wistar rats were anesthetized and a second-degree burn was induced on the back of Wistar rats using a heated 2 cm diameter metal plate. Experimental groups received 2% or 5% topical minoxidil gel, dexpanthenol or sliver sulfadiazine. Histological parameters including collagen content, angiogenesis, number of preserved follicles and necrosis along with tensile strength of burn wound area were assessed on days 3, 7, 14 and 21 post-injury. Microscopic evaluation of specimens collected from sample animals were consistent and showed a second-degree burn. Main histological findings regarding minoxidil topical usage showed that collagen content and tensile strength of burned area did not differ between groups. However, minoxidil increased the number and diameter of blood vessels significantly compared with other groups. Although minoxidil improved the process of wound-healing, our results did not support the proposed idea of its usage as an antifibrotic agent. However, to reject its possible effects as an antifibrotic agent, more objective animal models should be developed and studied

[Formulation and clinical evaluation of Myrtus Mucoadhesive paste in the treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis]

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis [RAS] is an oral lesion with high prevalence. Its management is directed toward treatment of symptoms. Myrtle is an herbal drug that has been used for RAS treatment during last years. Its essential oil has antiseptic and antimicrobial properties. One of the best factors in the treatment of aphthous lesion is, remaining of drug in location, so, a dosage form was tried to design that can hold the drug for a long time in location. For this purpose mucoadhesive drug delivery system was selected. This study was a double blind randomized clinical trial. The essential oil was extracted from myrtle leaf by using water in Clevenger apparatus. Oral mucoadhesive paste was prepared by compounding of sodium carboxy methyl cellulose, pectin and gelatin in plastibase. The best formulations were selected for clinical trial. In this double blind clinical trial, individuals were divided into two groups, A and B that received Mocuadhesive paste containing myrtle essence and mucoadhesive paste without drug as placebo, respectively. The size of lesions was measured by periodontal probe at 1, 2, 6 and 10 days. Also by use of VAS scale, daily pain was measured at 10 days period. The time of burning sensation relief in A and B groups were 1.64 +/- 0.74 and 4.91 +/- 1.30 days respectively, which there was significant difference between the two groups [P<0.001]. The mean of lesion size in group A were 0.14 +/- 0.36 and in group B 2.73 +/- 1.68 [mm] in sixth day [P<0.001]. The Mocuadhesive paste containing myrtle essential oil is a suitable formulation for treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with regard to its adhesive properties, the reduced time of burning sensation and the reduced size of lesion, significantly