Ethosomes in hair dye products as carriers of the major compounds of black tea extracts.

OBJECTIVES: This study describes a novel carrier, the ethosome-based system, which is composed of non-ionic surfactants, ethanol, and water. METHODS: Brij(®) 52 (non-ionic surfactants), soya phosphatidylcholine (PC), cholesterol, and the major compounds (caffeine and gallic acid) of black tea extracts were dissolved in the ethanolic phase. The aqueous phase containing Paragon III was heated to 60 °C and mixed with the previous solution. Finally, 3.4 ml NaOH (6.5 N) was added to adjust the pH level to 4.05. The mixture was centrifuged at 2000 g for two minutes, and the precipitate was taken as the end product. Black tea extracts were applied in ethosome-based formulations, and the efficacy of these formulations in penetrating nude mouse skin and in dyeing white hairs was investigated. RESULTS: Compared with an ethanolic solution and black tea extracts, the non-ionic ethosomal delivery system dramatically enhanced the adsorption of black tea extracts onto hair surfaces in vitro. The non-ionic ethosomal system was much more efficient in delivering and facilitating the adsorption of black tea extracts to the hair surface than hydroalcoholic black tea extracts. CONCLUSIONS: This formulation may have potential for development as a hair dye and protective agent.

Dermal delivery by niosomes of black tea extract as a sunscreen agent.

OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using niosomes as a delivery vehicle for the dermal administration in vitro of black tea extract (BTE) as a sunscreen. METHODS: Multi-lamellar niosomes were obtained by means of a previously reported method of lipid hydration films. In vitro penetration experiments through nude mouse skin were carried out to evaluate the potential of niosomes as a dermal formulation. The nude mouse skin membrane allowed the effects of penetration with a niosome formulation to be evaluated. Penetration rates of caffeine- and gallic acid-loaded niosomes in a steady state were higher than dispersion in aqueous solutions. RESULTS: For skin permeation, higher transdermal absorption rates were seen with solutions of caffeine and gallic acid. CONCLUSIONS: In the near future, BTE as a sunscreen agent will be dermally delivered by niosomes.

Microbial transformation of isosteviol lactone and evaluation of the transformation products on androgen response element.

Two filamentous fungi, Cunninghamella bainieri ATCC 9244 and Aspergillus niger BCRC 32720, were used to investigate the biotransformation of isosteviol lactone (4alpha-carboxy-13alpha-hydroxy-13,16- seco-ent-19-norbeyeran-16-oic acid 13,16-lactone) ( 2), which was derived by reacting isosteviol ( ent-16-oxobeyeran-19-oic acid) ( 1) with m-chloroperbenzoic acid. Incubation of 2 with C. bainieri afforded metabolites 3- 6, which involved isomerization, hydroxylation, and ring cleavage reactions followed by oxidation and selective O-methylation. Incubation of 2 with A. niger afforded mono-, di-, and trihydroxylated metabolites 3, 4, and 7- 12. The structures of 3- 12 were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses, and structures 3, 4, and 6 were confirmed by X-ray crystallographic studies. Compounds 2- 6, 8- 10, and 12 were assayed as androgen agonists using an ARE (androgen response element)-mediated luciferase reporter gene assay. Compounds 3, 6, and 10 were significantly active, with 6 showing more activity than testosterone.

Microbial transformation of isosteviol and bioactivities against the glucocorticoid/androgen response elements.

Preparative-scale fermentation of isosteviol ( ent-16-oxobeyeran-19-oic acid) (1) with Mucor recurvatus MR 36, Absidia pseudocylindrospora ATCC 24169, and Aspergillus niger BCRC 32720 afforded nine known metabolites ( 2, 3, 5-10, and 14) and nine new metabolites ( 4, 11-13, and 15-19). The reactions involved stereoselective introduction of OH groups at positions C-1, -6, -7, -9, -11, -12, -15, and -17 as well as further ketonization at the C-1 and C-7 positions. The structures of the metabolites were established on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR and IR supported by HRFABMS. GRE (glucocorticoid response element)- and ARE (androgen response element)-mediated luciferase reporter gene assays were used to screen for the biological activities of 1 and its metabolites. Compounds 7, 13, 16, and 18 showed significantly enhanced GRE-mediated luciferase activity, but at levels less than that induced by either methylprednisolone or dexamethasone. On the other hand, compounds 3, 4, 12, 13, 14, and 18 showed significant effects on ARE-mediated luciferase activity; in particular, 3, 12, 14, and 18 were more active than testosterone.

Transformation of steviol-16alpha,17-epoxide by Streptomyces griseus and Cunninghamella bainieri.

Eight new ent-beyerane metabolites, 5-8, 12, and 14-16, and four new ent-kaurane metabolites, 3, 10, 11, and 13, together with two known metabolites, 4 and 9, were isolated from the microbial transformations of steviol-16alpha,17-epoxide using Streptomyces griseus ATCC 10137 and Cunninghamella bainieri ATCC 9244. The structures of the metabolites were characterized by IR, HRFABMS, and 1D and 2D NMR data. In addition, a GRE (glucocorticoid response element)-mediated luciferase reporter assay was used to initially screen for the biological activity of the 11 metabolites and stevioside. Steviol (1), steviol-16alpha,17-epoxide (2), ent-11alpha,13,16alpha,17-tetrahydroxykauran-19-oic acid (3), ent-17-hydroxy-16-ketobeyeran-19-oic acid (4), ent-9alpha,13-dihydroxy-16beta,17-epoxykauran-19-oic acid (10), ent-9alpha,17-dihydroxy-16-ketobeyeran-19-oic acid (12), ent-1beta,17-dihydroxy-16-ketobeyeran-19-oic acid (14), and stevioside showed significant effects; in particular, stevioside showed almost equal potency as dexamethasone.