ABSTRACT
Higher plants are the source of a wide array of bioactive compounds that support skin integrity and health. Hibiscus syriacus, family Malvaceae, is a plant of Chinese origin known for its antipyretic, anthelmintic, and antifungal properties. The aim of this study was to assess the healing and hydration properties of H. syriacus ethanolic extract (HSEE). We established a cell culture from Hibiscus syriacus leaves and obtained an ethanol soluble extract from cultured cells. The properties of the extract were tested by gene expression and functional analyses on human fibroblast, keratinocytes, and skin explants. HSEE treatment increased the healing potential of fibroblasts and keratinocytes. Specifically, HSEE significantly stimulated fibronectin and collagen synthesis by 16 and 60%, respectively, while fibroblasts contractility was enhanced by 30%. These results were confirmed on skin explants, where HSEE accelerated the wound healing activity in terms of epithelium formation and fibronectin production. Moreover, HSEE increased the expression of genes involved in skin hydration and homeostasis. Specifically, aquaporin 3 and filaggrin genes were enhanced by 20 and 58%, respectively. Our data show that HSEE contains compounds capable of stimulating expression of biomarkers relevant to skin regeneration and hydration thereby counteracting molecular pathways leading to skin damage and aging.
Subject(s)
Hibiscus/chemistry , Plant Extracts/administration & dosage , Skin/drug effects , Wound Healing/drug effects , Cells, Cultured , Fibroblasts/drug effects , Filaggrin Proteins , Flowers/chemistry , Humans , Keratinocytes/drug effects , Phytotherapy , Plant Extracts/chemistry , Plant Leaves/chemistry , Skin/injuries , Skin/pathologyABSTRACT
Stearoyl-Coenzyme A desaturase 1 (SCD1) belongs to the fatty acid family of desaturases. In lactating ruminants, the SCD1 protein is highly expressed in the mammary gland and is relevant for the fatty acid composition of milk and dairy products. Bovine mammary epithelial cells (BME-UV1), cultured in vitro, have been proposed as a model to reproduce the biology of the mammary gland. The present study was designed to investigate the responsiveness of bovine SCD1 promoter to serum, insulin, oleic acid, and NFY transcription factor in BME-UV1 cells. A luciferase-based reporter assay was used to monitor the transcriptional activity of the SCD1 promoter region in BME-UV1 cells treated or not with insulin and/or oleic acid. The level of endogenous SCD1 mRNA was evaluated by Real time PCR. Insulin (20 ng/mL) induced a 2.0 to 2.5-fold increase of SCD1 promoter activity. Additionally, the effect of insulin was inhibited by oleic acid, serum components, and NFY enforced expression. Serum and NFY showed no synergistic or additive effect on SCD1 promoter activity suggesting that they repress SCD1 transcription through the same responsive element.
Subject(s)
Gene Expression Regulation/genetics , Mammary Glands, Animal/cytology , Mammary Glands, Animal/enzymology , Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase/genetics , Animals , Base Sequence , CCAAT-Binding Factor/pharmacology , Cattle , Cell Line , Fatty Acids/metabolism , Female , Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects , Insulin/pharmacology , Molecular Sequence Data , Oleic Acid/pharmacology , Promoter Regions, Genetic/genetics , Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase/metabolismABSTRACT
Las verrugas vulgares son proliferaciones epiteliales benignas, causadas por la infección del virus papiloma humano. Suelen afectar a niños y adolescentes comprometiendo frecuentemente manos y rodillas. Existen múltiples tratamientos pero ninguno infalible, y si bien se preconiza la conducta expectante, existen casos en los que se debe realizar tratamiento. Presentamos el caso de un escolar de sexo masculino con verruga umbilical, una localización infrecuente, tratada exitosamente con electrocoagulación.
Common warts are benign epithelial growths caused by infection with human papillomavirus. They usually affect children and adolescents often compromising hands and knees. There are many treatments but none infallible, and while it is recommended an expectant behaviour, there are cases in which treatment should be performed. We report the case of a 12 year old white male with an umbilical wart, an unusual localization, treated successfully with electrocoagulation.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Child , Umbilicus , Warts/diagnosis , Warts/pathology , Diagnosis, Differential , PapillomaviridaeABSTRACT
La Aplasia Cutis Congénita, es un grupo heterogéneo de alteraciones que consisten en la falta congénita localizada o extensa, de piel, que puede acompañarse de ausencia de estructuras subyacentes. Su apariencia clínica es variable y su origen es multifactorial. Presentamos el caso de un recién nacido con Aplasia Cutis Congénita, sin antecedentes familiares de esta enfermedad ni historia de uso materno de drogas, en quien no se constataron hallazgos extracutáneos.
Congenital aplasia cutis, is a heterogeneous group of disorders that involve the congenital absence, localized or extensive, of the skin, which may be accompanied by the absence of underlying structures. Its clinical appareance is variable with a multifactorial origin. We report the case of a newborn with Congenital Aplasia Cutis with no family history of the disease or history of maternal drug abuse, in whom extracutaneous findings were not found.
