高露洁

BACKGROUND:Solanum americanum, or American black nightshade, is a common weed in Pakistan with a rich history of medicinal applications. Traditionally, its leaves and fruits have been employed to treat various conditions, including skin problems, inflammation, and menstrual irregularities. The plant's therapeutic potential is attributed to its diverse phytochemical composition, encompassing alkaloids, glycosides, and flavonoids. Its traditional use highlights the reliance on folk knowledge for treating liver disease. OBJECTIVES:This study aimed to investigate the pharmacognostic features and evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of the crude fruit extract of S. americanum against ethanol-induced liver toxicity in rats. METHODS:An aqueous ethanolic extract of S. americanum fruit was administered to rats with ethanol-induced liver toxicity. Silymarin was used as a reference drug for comparison. Hepatoprotective activity was assessed through biochemical analysis of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin, and total protein levels. Histopathological examination of liver tissues was also conducted. RESULTS:The ethanol-treated group exhibited intense hepatocellular injuries and necrosis in liver tissues. Treatment with the aqueous ethanolic extract of S. americanum and silymarin resulted in near-normal lobular architecture, with only slight centrilobular degeneration of hepatocytes and minimal necrotic changes. The S. americanum extract demonstrated hepatoprotective activity, as evidenced by the partial normalization of liver biomarkers. However, its effect was less pronounced than that of silymarin. CONCLUSION:The aqueous ethanolic fruit extract of S. americanum possesses hepatoprotective properties against ethanol-induced liver toxicity in rats. S. americanum mitigates ethanol-induced liver toxicity in rats, partially normalizing liver biomarkers, likely through its antioxidant and nutritional properties, supporting its traditional use in liver disease management.

Polymer blends are an industrially important class of materials with numerous applications in coatings, electronics, packaging, automotive, and medical materials. Many desirable material properties can be obtained from the proper control of blend morphology and processing, necessitating in-depth studies relating processing, structure, and properties of these materials. Here, we study the mixing and processing of a polymer system consisting of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) using atomic force microscopy (AFM) in combination with Raman spectroscopy and optical microscopy. Phase separation is observed, even at COC concentrations as low as 5%. The morphology of the phase separation can be described as a droplet-matrix of COC in HDPE, combined with a co-continuous blend morphology at higher concentrations (12%) of COC. In this system, the topography combined with mechanical property data from AFM provides unambiguous images of the phase separation while co-localized Raman spectroscopy provides complementary chemical identification. This work provides a methodology to obtain an informative physical and chemical picture of the phase separation in this polymer system both before and after processing which can contribute to the improved design, processing, and quality control of industrial polymer blends.

PURPOSE:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of a test toothpaste containing 0.454% stannous fluoride stabilized with zinc phosphate as compared to a control fluoride toothpaste containing 0.76% sodium monofluorophosphate on oral malodor reduction via organoleptic scores after 3 weeks of twice daily product use. METHODS:A randomized, single-center, double-blind, parallel-group clinical trial conducted in Bangkok, Thailand. Eighty adult subjects with qualifying baseline oral malodor scores were randomized to use either the test toothpaste or the control toothpaste twice daily for 3 weeks. Efficacy was assessed using the organoleptic hedonic scale (1-9) by four calibrated judges. The primary endpoint was the reduction in organoleptic scores assessed 12 hours post-brushing (overnight). RESULTS:All 80 subjects completed the protocol. At baseline, there were no significant differences in organoleptic scores between groups (P= 0.816). After 3 weeks, the Test group showed a 37.8% reduction from baseline in overnight malodor scores (P< 0.001), while the Control group showed a 13.6% reduction (P< 0.001). The Test group demonstrated a statistically significant (P< 0.001) 28.0% greater reduction in oral malodor compared to the Control group. No adverse events were reported. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE:The 0.454% stannous fluoride toothpaste stabilized with zinc phosphate provided a superior, long-lasting solution for overnight oral malodor management compared to a standard sodium monofluorophosphate toothpaste after 3 weeks of use.

OBJECTIVE:To demonstrate the safety and enhanced cosmetic outcomes of the combination of microneedling with a pigment-correcting peel when treating hyperpigmented skin across diverse Fitzpatrick skin types. METHODS:A total of 31 patients (Fitzpatrick skin types I-V) with facial hyperpigmentation were enrolled in the study. Each participant received 2 different treatments on the face: 1 side was treated with a pigment-correcting peel combined with microneedling, while the other side received microneedling alone (3 sessions, 4 weeks apart). Assessments included Mexameter measurements, dermatologist grading, and standardized clinical imaging. Self-assessment questionnaires were completed by participants at different timepoints. RESULTS:The 31 participants completed the study; both microneedling alone and the combination treatment were well tolerated. The combined approach yielded significantly better results according to dermatologist efficacy assessment for clarity/brightness, evenness of skin tone (pigmentation and redness), overall appearance and texture (P<0.05), and patient perception, with 94% reporting a significant or noticeable improvement on skin discoloration/hyperpigmentation on the side treated with combination therapy and 90% reporting they prefer the results of the combination therapy vs microneedling alone (P<0.0001). LIMITATIONS:A primary limitation of this study was the restricted assessment window, which proved to be insufficient to achieve significant clinical improvement for parameters such as fine lines, wrinkles, and pore size. CONCLUSION:This research showed that combining a pigment-correcting peel with microneedling can be significantly more effective at improving overall skin appearance than microneedling alone. This combined therapy was safe, well tolerated, and preferred by participants across a diverse population.