Development of topical patches releasing allicin using garlic extract.

INTRODUCTION: Treating hair loss of Alopecia areata is a quite challenge. The treatment not only needs to be effective but must meet specific requirements in terms of accurate dose, sustain release, comfortable application with aesthetic appearance. Thus, the study was designed to develop sustained release topical patches releasing allicin using different sources, including the extract from fresh and aged garlic, and commercially pure one. METHODS: Patches were formulated by solvent casting method using ethylene-vinyl acetate as backing layer and Carbopol® 971P NF (CP) as mucoadhesive polymer. Physicochemical properties were evaluated including weight, thickness, drug content, surface pH, moisture content, folding endurance, and swelling. In addition to in vitro diffusion study across the cellulose and Strat-M® membranes. RESULTS: Patches showed good physicochemical properties. No significant difference (p > 0.05) was obvious in the percentage of allicin diffused across cellulose membrane between patch A (loaded with commercial allicin), patch B1 (loaded with fresh garlic extract), and patch C (loaded with aged garlic extract). However, ethanol enhanced the diffusion of allicin. The percentage of allicin diffused across cellulose membrane over 20 h from patch E (45 mg CP, 2 mL fresh garlic extract-equivalent to 60 mg allicin-and 1 mL of ethanol) was 79.94%. The flux and permeability coefficients were 2.62 mg/cm2 /h and 0.52 cm/h, respectively, with an enhancement ratio of 2.60 times the reference patch M (mashed garlic). CONCLUSION: Promising development of topical patches of allicin using garlic extract as natural source with lower cost than the commercial pure allicin and higher aesthetic acceptance than the used mashed garlic.

Naringenin potentiated ß-sitosterol healing effect on the scratch wound assay.

In the present investigation scratch wound assay was used to study the ability of several combinations of each flavonoid (chrysin, naringenin or resveratrol) with ß-sitosterol to heal wounds in vitro. MTT test was performed to determine if the combination of flavonoid with ß-sitosterol was toxic to fibroblasts or not. Also, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) concentrations were measured. The best closure rates were obtained with ß-sitosterol combined with naringenin and ß-sitosterol combined with resveratrol. The combination that produced the best closure rate namely ß-sitosterol with naringenin increased SOD activity significantly. However, this combination was not better than naringenin or ß-sitosterol alone in reducing IL-ß concentration. The results of MTT test indicated that the combination as well as ß-sitosterol alone or naringenin alone has no toxic effect on fibroblasts. In conclusion, the combination of ß-sitosterol and naringenin exerted a synergistic effect on wound closure without decreasing the viability of fibroblasts, increased antioxidant defense mechanism and decreased IL-ß.