ABSTRACT
Recent advancements in nanotechnology have resulted in improved medicine delivery to the target site. Nanosponges are three-dimensional drug delivery systems that are nanoscale in size and created by cross-linking polymers. The introduction of Nanosponges has been a significant step toward overcoming issues such as drug toxicity, low bioavailability, and predictable medication release. Using a new way of nanotechnology, nanosponges, which are porous with small sponges (below one microm) flowing throughout the body, have demonstrated excellent results in delivering drugs. As a result, they reach the target place, attach to the skin's surface, and slowly release the medicine. Nanosponges can be used to encapsulate a wide range of medicines, including both hydrophilic and lipophilic pharmaceuticals. The medication delivery method using nanosponges is one of the most promising fields in pharmacy. It can be used as a biocatalyst carrier for vaccines, antibodies, enzymes, and proteins to be released. The existing study enlightens on the preparation method, evaluation, and prospective application in a medication delivery system and also focuses on patents filed in the field of nanosponges.Copyright © 2023 The Authors.
ABSTRACT
Background: Psoriasis is a chronic and inflammatory skin disease. Many triggering factors can cause exacerbation of psoriasis, such as infection, trauma, and drugs. Several vaccines are known to cause new lesions or exacerbation of psoriasis, including Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), influenza, tetanus-diphtheria, and pneumococcal polysaccharide. In the COVID-19 pandemic, the COVID-19 vaccine is known to cause the appearance of new lesions or exacerbation of psoriasis. Case presentation: A woman, 31 years old, came to the clinic with itchy reddish patches with white scales on her face, chest, stomach, back, arms, and both legs, and increased since 2 weeks ago. Previously, the patient got the first COVID-19 vaccine (Sinovac), and three days later, red patches appeared with white scales on the chest, stomach, and back. The patient had been diagnosed with psoriasis 3 years ago. Dermatology examination showed reddish patches with white scales on the face, chest, stomach, back, arms, and both legs. Auspitz sign and Kaarvetsvlek phenomen were positive. PASI score was 9,2. Dermoscopy examination showed red dot distribution on light pink background and white scales. She was treated with desoximetasone cream 0,05% twice a day and cetirizine tablet 10 mg once a day. After 2 months of therapy, reddish patches were decreased, and the PASI score was 6,9. Conclusion: COVID-19 vaccine can cause exacerbations in psoriasis patients, but this vaccine can still be given to psoriasis patients. It is based on the documented efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine in the prevention of severe COVID-19 infection and fatality. Psoriasis patients should be consulted before getting vaccinated for COVID-19, and prompt clinical visits should be available if exacerbation develops.
ABSTRACT
Background and Design: Systemic retinoids are commonly used medications in dermatology and indicated in various skin disorders such as acne vulgaris and psoriasis. Data about the risk of Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) in patients using systemic retinoids are limited. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the risk of COVID-19 in patients undergoing systemic retinoid therapy. Materials and Methods: A total of 186 patients who have undergone systemic isotretinoin and acitretin therapy were recruited. Patients who presented to the dermatology clinic for various skin diseases, such as eczema, vitiligo, tinea, etc., who were not on systemic retinoid therapy, and who received topical medications comprised the control group. The development of COVID-19 in the retinoid therapy group and the control group was retrospectively reviewed using hospital database. Results: The mean age of the patients in the retinoid therapy group was 25.72+or-0.67 and that in the control group was 25.4+or-0.62. Moreover,165 patients received isotretinoin, and 21 patients received acitretin treatment. The isotretinoin dosage ranged from 0.5 to 0.8 mg/kg wheras the acitretin dosage ranged between 10 and 25 mg/day. Two patients (1.07%) in the retinoid therapy group and 8 (4.3%) patients in the control group were diagnosed with COVID-19. None of the patients receiving acitretin was diagnosed with COVID-19. COVID-19 diagnosis was established in the 2nd and 3rd months of isotretinoin treatment, and lung involvement was not observed. No significant difference regarding the number of COVID-19 cases and disease severity was found between the two groups (p=0.105;p=0.258, respectively). Conclusion: Isotretinoin and acitretin use was not associated with increased COVID-19 risk or disease severity. Systemic retinoids appear to be a safe treatment modality in the COVID-19 era.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Infectious conjunctivitis is a frequent condition in ophthalmology consultations. The evolutionary mode, the contagious character and the socio-economic and epidemiological stakes especially during the current period of world health crisis with the coronavirus disease are the reasons for this study. The aim of this work is to describe the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic profile of infectious conjunctivitis during the study period in order to improve management. Materials and methods: This retrospective, descriptive and analytical study concerned patients examined between March 1st, 2019, and March 1st, 2021, in the ophthalmology department of the regional hospital of Garoua in northern Cameroon. Patients of all ages who presented with conjunctivitis suspected of infectious origin were included. To define the causes of conjunctival infections, we relied solely on clinical findings. The following variables were analyzed for each case: age, sex, symptoms, contact, laterality, character of signs, aetiology and type of treatment received, class of antibiotics administered, duration and cost of treatment. All patients with incomplete records and non-infectious conjunctivitis were excluded.
ABSTRACT
Glycyrrhizin and its derivatives (glycyrrhizic acid, etc.) are the key components of licorice root extracts (licorice) which can have anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects. A systematic analysis of 3264 publications on the studies of glycyrrhizin and its derivatives made it possible to characterize the range of pharmacological applications of drugs based on glycyrrhizin. The study highlights a number of relevant molecular and cellular mechanisms of action of glycyrrhizin, including regulation of the activity of T-lymphocytes, mast cells, neutrophils, macrophages, biosynthesis and secretion of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, lipoxins and prostaglandins. Glycyrrhizin dose-dependently activates receptor LXRa, inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8, suppresses the increased expression of HMGB1 receptor and pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF, IL-1ß and IL-6, blocks the NFkB-dependent signaling pathways MAPK and PI3K/Akt, inducible nitric oxide synthase, COX-2. Topical application of glycyrrhizin and its derivatives is promising for the treatment of inflammatory diseases of the mucous membranes and skin, including the diseases of bacterial, fungal and viral origin (allergic contact dermatitis, eczema, keratitis caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, papillomavirus, herpes virus (as well as herpes simplex, varicella zoster), SARS-CoV-2, etc. Glycyrrhizin and its derivatives inhibit the formation of biofilms of bacteria characterized by increased resistance to antibiotics and even to antiseptics. Due to the fact that glycyrrhizin induces CD4+ T-cells, it suppresses the production of type 2 cytokines and increases resistance to candidiasis. The study also describes the prospects for the use of glycyrrhizin in the treatment of genital warts. Conclusion: The results of the basic and clinical studies presented in this paper show the prospects for topical application of glycyrrhizin in various fields of medicine, including gynecological practice. © 2022, Bionika Media Ltd.. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread globally. Although measures to control SARS-CoV-2, namely, vaccination, medication, and chemical disinfectants are being investigated, there is an increase in the demand for auxiliary antiviral approaches using natural compounds. Here we have focused on hydroxytyrosol (HT)-rich aqueous olive pulp extract (HIDROX®) and evaluated its SARS-CoV-2-inactivating activity in vitro. We showed that the HIDROX solution exhibits time- and concentration-dependent SARS-CoV-2-inactivating activities, and that HIDROX has more potent virucidal activity than pure HT. The evaluation of the mechanism of action suggested that both HIDROX and HT induced structural changes in SARS-CoV-2, which changed the molecular weight of the spike proteins. Even though the spike protein is highly glycosylated, this change was induced regardless of the glycosylation status. In addition, HIDROX or HT treatment disrupted the viral genome. Moreover, the HIDROX-containing cream applied on film showed time- and concentration-dependent SARS-CoV-2-inactivating activities. Thus, the HIDROX-containing cream can be applied topically as an antiviral hand cream. Our findings suggest that HIDROX contributes to improving SARS-CoV-2 control measures.