Investigation on the Cutaneous Change Induced by Face-Lifting Monodirectional Barbed Polydioxanone Thread.

BACKGROUND: Owing to its potentially greater mechanical force on the implanted tissue, barbed thread is frequently used in face-lifting procedures. However, the long-term durability thereof remains controversial. Moreover, reports on underlying histologic and molecular changes resulting from face-lifting procedures are scarce. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate histologic and molecular changes induced by absorbable, barbed face-lifting thread in an animal model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fragments of monofilament, monodirectionally barbed polydioxanone thread were implanted in dorsal skin from 12 guinea pigs. Tissue samples were harvested at 1, 3, and 7 months thereafter. Histopathologic analysis and quantification of Type 1 collagen and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-ß1) levels were performed. RESULTS: Implantation of a single fragment induced fibrous capsule around the thread. Tissue reactions were strongest at 1 month after implantation, showing marked infiltration of inflammatory cells and fibroblasts, which gradually decreased. On molecular analysis, Type 1 collagen and TGF-ß1 levels were significantly increased, compared to normal skin, throughout the 7-month study period. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that implantation of barbed thread induces strong anchorage to skin tissue. Quantitative analysis of collagen and its downstream signaling molecule TGF-ß supports the long-term durability of the thread. Therefore, the authors expect potential beneficial effect for rejuvenation on its clinical application.

Synthesis and evaluation of cytotoxicity of stilbene analogues.

Resveratrol analogs were newly synthesized and evaluated for cytotoxicity in cultured human lung and colon cancer cells. 3,5,4-Trimethoxy-trans-stilbene and 3,5,2',4'-tetramethoxy-trans-stilbene were found to be more potent rather than resveratrol. 3,4,5-Trimethoxy-4'-bromo-cis-stilbene was the most active among the test compounds.

Cytotoxic activity and G2/M cell cycle arrest mediated by antofine, a phenanthroindolizidine alkaloid isolated from Cynanchum paniculatum.

Starting with an extract derived from the root of Cynanchum paniculatum Kitagawa (Asclepiadaceae) that was active in the process of inhibiting the growth of human cancer cells in culture, a phenanthroindolizidine alkaloid antofine was isolated and identified as an active principle (IC50 = 7.0 +/- 0.2 ng/ml for A549, human lung cancer cells; IC50 = 8.6 +/- 0.3 ng/ml for Col2, human colon cancer cells). Prompted by the high potency of cancer cell growth inhibition, additional action mechanism studies were performed with antofine. Utilizing cultured Col2 cells as a model, antofine induced arrest in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle after 48 h of incubation. With wash-out experiment, colony formation was also inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. These data suggest the potential of antofine to serve as a cancer chemotherapeutic agent by virtue of arresting the cell cycle.

Evaluation of natural products on inhibition of inducible cyclooxygenase (COX-2) and nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in cultured mouse macrophage cells.

The inhibitors of prostaglandin biosynthesis and nitric oxide production have been considered as potential anti-inflammatory and cancer chemopreventive agents. In this study, we evaluated approximately 170 methanol extracts of natural products including Korean herbal medicines for the inhibition of prostaglandin E(2) production (for COX-2 inhibitors) and nitric oxide formation (for iNOS inhibitors) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mouse macrophages RAW264.7 cells. As a result, several extracts such as Aristolochia debilis, Cinnamomum cassia, Cinnamomum loureirii, Curcuma zedoaria, Eugenia caryophyllata, Pterocarpus santalius, Rehmania glutinosa and Tribulus terrestris showed potent inhibition of COX-2 activity (>80% inhibition at the test concentration of 10 micro g/ml). In addition, the extracts of A. debilis, Caesalpinia sappan, Curcuma longa, C. zedoaria, Daphne genkwa and Morus alba were also considered as potential inhibitors of iNOS activity (>70% inhibition at the test concentration of 10 micro g/ml). These active extracts mediating COX-2 and iNOS inhibitory activities are warranted for further elucidation of active principles for development of new cancer chemopreventive and/or anti-inflammatory agents.