Investigating the link between toll-like receptor 9 gene variants and vitiligo susceptibility - A cross-sectional comparative study.

Background The Toll-like receptor (TLR) family, which recognises diverse molecular patterns on immune cells, has been implicated in several autoimmune diseases, including vitiligo. Objectives This study will investigate the potential association between the TLR9 gene polymorphism rs187084 and clinical features in Egyptian vitiligo patients, employing the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method for TLR9 genotyping. Methods Genomic DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood of 30 vitiligo patients and 20 healthy controls using a DNA isolation kit.

Atrophic facial acne scars; bilateral comparison of two microneedle devices.

Microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure using fine needles to puncture the skin.The aim of this study is to compare the clinical efficacy as well as the histological effects of dermaroller versus dermapen in the management of post-acne atrophic scars.The study was conducted on 10 patients with post-acne atrophic scars.

Topical antibiotics limit depigmentation in a mouse model of vitiligo.

Oral neomycin administration impacts the gut microbiome and delays vitiligo development in mice, and topical antibiotics may likewise allow the microbiome to preserve skin health and delay depigmentation. Here, we examined the effects of 6-week topical antibiotic treatment on vitiligo-prone pmel-1 mice. Bacitracin, Neosporin, or Vaseline were applied to one denuded flank, while the contralateral flank was treated with Vaseline in all mice.

Melanocyte-keratinocyte cross-talk in vitiligo.

Vitiligo is a common acquired pigmentary disorder that presents as progressive loss of melanocytes from the skin. Epidermal melanocytes and keratinocytes are in close proximity to each other, forming a functional and structural unit where keratinocytes play a pivotal role in supporting melanocyte homeostasis and melanogenesis. This intimate relationship suggests that keratinocytes might contribute to ongoing melanocyte loss and subsequent depigmentation.

Enhancement of antiproliferative potential of metformin against melanoma mice B16 cells using an optimized liposomal drug delivery system.

Objective: Metformin-loaded liposomes were optimized for enhanced antiproliferative activity against melanoma.

Methods: Box-Behnken design and response surface methodology were employed to optimize entrapment efficiency, ex-vivo permeation and vesicle size. The optimized formulation was prepared by both the lipid hydration method and the modified injection method for comparison.

Quercetin loaded cosm-nutraceutical electrospun composite nanofibers for acne alleviation: Preparation, characterization and experimental clinical appraisal.

In the cosmeceutical field, it is essential to develop topical delivery systems which would allow drugs to create a depot and permeate within the skin. The aim of the present study was to develop composite nanofibers of polyvinyl alcohol/quercetin/essential oils using the electrospinning technique, and assess their efficiency in acne alleviation. Quercetin was chosen due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and antibacterial activities.

The use of intralesional corticosteroid combined with narrowband ultraviolet B in vitiligo treatment: clinical, histopathologic, and histometric evaluation.

Background: Treatment of vitiligo with intralesional steroid (ILS) injections has shown to be successful in quite a few studies. It is a simple and safe treatment when used with caution with a better response in localized lesions.

Objectives: The aim of the present study is to explore the efficacy and safety of using different concentrations of intralesional corticosteroid combined with NB-UVB phototherapy in the treatment of non-segmental vitiligo (NSV) patients.

Coenzyme Q10 phospholipidic vesicular formulations for treatment of androgenic alopecia: permeation and clinical appraisal.

Introduction: Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an antioxidant molecule with anti-aging activity on human hair, and because of its pharmaceutical limitations such as large molecular weight, high lipophilicity and poor water solubility, its therapeutic effectiveness has been hampered. Therefore, different vesicular nanocarriers were developed in the current work, for enhancement of the skin penetration of CoQ10 for treatment of androgenic alopecia.

Areas Covered: In order to overcome the poor skin penetration of CoQ10, it was formulated in liposomes, transfersomes, ethosomes, cerosomes and transethosomes using the thin-film hydration method.

A novel topical combination of minoxidil and spironolactone for androgenetic alopecia: Clinical, histopathological, and physicochemical study.

Topical minoxidil 5% are effective in androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Spironolactone acts as an androgen antagonist by competitively blocking androgen receptors. Studying the effect of topical minoxidil 5% gel and spironolactone gel 1% in management of AGA.

Chitosan nanoparticles making their way to clinical practice: A feasibility study on their topical use for acne treatment.

Despite the popularity of chitosan as a biodegradable polymer used in a variety of applications, clinical trials involving chitosan or its nanoparticles are still scarce. Moreover, the use of nutraceuticals as a replacement to conventional chemical treatments has become currently popular, and if combined with nanotechnology, nutraceuticals can achieve a comparable or even better therapeutic outcome. In the current work, chitosan nanoparticles loading the nutraceutical nicotinamide were optimized, characterized, and clinically tested on patients suffering from acne vulgaris.

Cosm-nutraceutical nanovesicles for acne treatment: Physicochemical characterization and exploratory clinical experimentation.

The full exploration of the 'nutraceuticals' therapeutic potential in cosmetics has been hindered by their poor stratum corneum permeation. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to formulate a nutraceutical; quercetin, in novel vitamin C based nanovesicles (aspasomes), and to explore their beneficial effects in the treatment of acne. Aspasomes were characterized for their particle size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency (EE%), 3-months storage stability, skin deposition/permeation, antioxidant potential, and morphology.

The impact of active vitamin D administration on the clinical outcomes of acne vulgaris.

Acne vulgaris is one of the most common chronic inflammatory skin disorder affecting millions of people worldwide. Vitamin D deficiency has a role in various inflammatory skin diseases as acne. This study aimed to investigate the serum level of 25 hydroxy vitamin D in acne patients and to assess the efficacy and safety of active vitamin D in management of acne.

Tattoo removal by Q-switched Nd:YAG laser: an objective evaluation using histometry.

: Tattoos have played an important role in various human cultures for thousands of years. The creation of high power, short pulse Q-switched lasers (QS) has provided a tool for considerable therapeutic advances in tattoo removal. : The aim of the study is to correlate the clinical efficacy of QS Nd: YAG laser for tattoo removal with histological as well as histometric findings.

Novel nicotinamide skin-adhesive hot melt extrudates for treatment of acne.

Objectives: Hot melt extrusion is a continuous process with wide industrial applicability. Till current date, there have been no reports on the formulation of extrudates for topical treatment of dermatological diseases.

Methods: The aim of the present work was to prepare and characterize medicated hot melt extrudates based on Soluplus polymer and nicotinamide, and to explore their applicability in acne treatment.

Evaluation of intralesional injection of bleomycin in the treatment of plantar warts: clinical and dermoscopic evaluation.

Background: Treatment of plantar warts is difficult and requires multiple treatments, and they are more refractory to treatment than common warts. Intralesional bleomycin has been used in the treatment of warts with varying degrees of success.

Aim: The aim of the present work is to evaluate the efficacy of intralesional injection of bleomycin in the treatment of plantar warts based on clinical and dermoscopic observations.