ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Actinic keratosis (AK) is a common age-associated dermatosis typical for skin with photo-ageing features. Actinic keratosis lesions transform into invasive squamous cell carcinoma, if left untreated, but inductive factors remain unknown. A role of prostaglandins in the neoplastic process has been postulated. AIM: To evaluate the possible correlation between cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) antigen expression in the immunohistochemical reaction and the stage of AK using the keratinocytic intraepidermal neoplasia (KIN) classification, age, sex and skin phenotype. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Skin samples of AK were examined histopathologically using the KIN classification. Immunohistochemical analysis of COX-2 expression was conducted using a commercially available kit and Image Processing and Analysis in Java. The intensity was presented as the percentage of cells with a positive reaction. RESULTS: Out of the 94 subjects with AK (aged 51-93 years; mean: 76.51 ±9.64), 58 were female and 36 male. Phenotype 2 was found in 50 and phenotype 3 in 44 patients. Mean values of positive immunohistochemical reaction for COX-2 were 2.16 ±6.56% for women and 1.96 ±6.59% for men (2.47 ±6.61%), with no statistically significant difference. Mean values of anti-COX-2 antibody reaction were 2.30 ±6.82% in the KIN1 group and 2.48 ±7.01% in the KIN2 group, while no expression was found in all cases with KIN3. No statistically significant differences were found between the percentage of COX-2 positive cells in KIN1/KIN2. CONCLUSIONS: No statistically significant correlations between the intensity of COX-2 reaction and AK stage were found. Cyclooxygenase-2 expression in AK is not affected by age, sex, or skin phenotype.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Arbutin is one of the most effective lightening substances. Serratula quinquefolia is a new source of its ß-anomer. The HPLC method showed that the solid content of this compound in the dried plant raw material accounts for 6.86%. The leaves of Serratula quinquefolia do not contain hydroquinone. AIMS: To assess the efficacy of the aqueous extract from' leaf of five-leaf serratula as a skin-lightening agent. PATIENTS/METHODS: We did a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. The study involved 102 women aged 26-55, with two kinds of hyperpigmentary diseases: melasma and lentigo solaris. Patients were randomly assigned to one of the treatment groups: a study group (N = 54) or a control group (N = 48). The study group applied the cream with the aqueous extract from leaf of five-leaf serratula containing 2.51% of arbutin. The cream was applied twice a day on the discolored side for 8 weeks. RESULTS: The experimental data showed that the cream with the extract causes decreased level of melanin in the skin pigmentation spot. Clinical effect in the form of lightening and evening skin tone on the discolored side was observed in 75.86% of the female patients with melasma and 56.00 % of the female patients with lentigo solaris. CONCLUSIONS: The cream with the aqueous extract from leaf of five-leaf serratula proved to be an effective and safe preparation for lightening skin discolorations (66.67 % of the female patients in the study group).
