Development of a new resistant liposome coated with polysaccharide film for cosmetic application.

The aim of our study was to elaborate a resistant liposome that can be used in cosmetic formulations containing high amounts of surfactants and electrolytes. The stability of liposomes was increased via hydrophobized polysaccharide (Stearoyl Inulin) by anchoring its stearic acid tail into liposome bilayer. Coated and noncoated liposomes were prepared under the same conditions and their morphology, size, and resistance to surfactants and electrolytes were evaluated. We established that coated lipbsomes were more resistant to surfactants and electrolytes. It seems that a coating of polysaccharides prevents liposome destabilization in the presence of high amounts of surfactants and electrolytes. Moreover, the ability of coated liposomes to improve the skin delivery of active molecules was evaluated. Coated liposomes increased the efficacy of magnesium chloride by improving its skin availability.

Cytotoxic activity of compounds from the lichen: Cladonia convoluta.

The depsidone 9'-( O-methyl)protocetraric acid was isolated from the lichen Cladonia convoluta (Lam.) Anders along with the known (-)-usnic acid and fumarprotocetraric acid. The complete structure of 9'-( O-methyl)protocetraric acid was elucidated using HSQC and HMBC spectral data. (-)-Usnic acid was the only compound to display a moderate cytotoxic activity on various cancer cell lines (IC (50) = 6, 12.1, 15.8, 17.8, 8.2 and 6.8 microg/mL on L1210, 3LL, DU145, MCF7, K-562 and U251, respectively). This compound was also shown to induce apoptosis of murine leukaemia L1210 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner.