INTRODUCTION:Topical hydrocortisones are commonly used for the self-treatment of allergic or mild inflammatory skin reactions. Post-market data analyzing usage, safety and effectiveness of hydrocortisone creams in a real-world setting are scarce. METHODS:This non-interventional, observational, pharmacy-based study analyzes the usage patterns and patient-perceived effectiveness and tolerability of Soventol Hydrocortisonacetat 0.5% (Soventol HCA) in a real-world setting. Adult participants with a moderately pronounced reddened, inflammatory or allergic skin disease for which a weak, low-concentration corticosteroid was indicated filled an online questionnaire parallel to product application for a maximum of 7 days. Severity of symptoms, frequency of application and the occurrence of adverse events were documented daily. The study was reported to the German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (NIS-nr 7793). RESULTS:Data from 2,561 participants were received. Most participants used Soventol HCA for the treatment of insect bites (62.3%; N = 2,557). Almost all participants were "very satisfied" or "satisfied" with the effectiveness (97.7%; N = 2,106) and tolerability (99.1%; N = 2,106) of Soventol HCA. The vast majority of participants assessed the speed of itching relief (87.0%; N = 2,045), speed of cooling effect (90.5%; N = 2,073), pain relief (93.9%; N = 1,760), redness relief (90.2%; N = 2,033), and swelling relief (92.9%; N = 1,901) as "fast" to "very fast" or "good" to "very good." 61 non-serious adverse reactions were documented. CONCLUSION:This non-interventional study provides valuable real-world insights about the patient-perceived effectiveness and tolerability of Soventol HCA in treating insect bites, but also other inflammatory or allergic skin reactions as e.g. sunburn, allergies or eczema in adults. Patient satisfaction with effectiveness and tolerability was high in all application fields, especially regarding itch reduction of insect bites.
Hintergrund: Die intestinale Mukusschicht ist ein essenzieller Bestandteil der Darmbarriere und spielt eine zentrale Rolle für die Darmgesundheit. Störungen dieser Schicht, insbesondere durch Ballaststoffmangel und mukusabbauende Bakterien, werden mit Erkrankungen wie dem Reizdarmsyndrom, chronisch entzündlichen Darmerkrankungen, Nahrungsmittelintoleranzen und weiteren Erkrankungen in Verbindung gebracht. Während das Wissen um das gastrointestinale Mikrobiom hohe Aufmerksamkeit erfährt, sind Kenntnisse über die Mukusschicht noch wenig verbreitet. Zielsetzung: Diese Übersichtsarbeit fasst den aktuellen Wissensstand zur intestinalen Mukusschicht zusammen und beleuchtet ihre klinische Relevanz für die Pathogenese und Therapie von Darmerkrankungen sowie deren Prävention. Ergebnisse: Eine intakte Mukusschicht schützt vor pathogenen Einflüssen und unterstützt das Gleichgewicht und die Funktion der intestinalen Mikrobiota. Ballaststoffmangel wiederum fördert den Abbau der Mukusschicht, erhöht die Darmpermeabilität und begünstigt Entzündungen. Therapeutische Ansätze wie Ballaststoffe, Präbiotika und Postbiotika (z. B. mit kurzkettigen Fettsäuren, SCFA) können die Mukusschicht regenerieren und die Darmbarriere stärken. Schlussfolgerungen: Die intestinale Mukusschicht ist ein bislang wenig beachteter Schlüsselfaktor für Darmerkrankungen und Darmgesundheit. Ballaststoffe und Postbiotika sind wesentliche therapeutische Maßnahmen zur Stärkung und Regeneration der Mukusschicht. Die Erweiterung des Wissensstandes über zukünftige Krankheits- und symptomspezifische Mukustherapien, beispielsweise durch differenziertere Post- und Präbiotika, ist notwendig. Schlüsselwörter: Darmbarriere, Mikrobiom, Mukusschicht Eingereicht am 3. Dezember 2025 – Revision akzeptiert am 5. Januar 2026
BACKGROUND:The intestinal mucus layer constitutes an essential component of the gut barrier and plays a pivotal role in gastrointestinal health. Disruptions of this layer, particularly due to dietary fiber deficiency and mucus degrading bacteria, have been associated with various disorders including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), food intolerances, and other related conditions. While research on gastrointestinal microbiota has garnered significant attention, the knowledge of the mucus layer remains comparatively understudied. OBJECTIVE:This review synthesizes current knowledge regarding the mucus layer and evaluates its clinical relevance for both the pathogenesis and therapeutic management of intestinal disorders, as well as their prevention. RESULTS:An intact mucus layer provides critical protection against pathogenic factors while promoting microbiota homeostasis and functionality. Conversely, fiber deficiency accelerates mucus layer degradation, increases intestinal permeability, and promotes inflammatory processes. Therapeutic interventions such as dietary fibers, prebiotics, and postbiotics (e.g., short-chain fatty acids, SCFAs) demonstrate potential to restore mucus layer integrity and reinforce intestinal barrier function. CONCLUSIONS:The intestinal mucus layer represents an underappreciated yet crucial factor in intestinal health and disease pathogenesis. Fiber supplementation and postbiotic administration emerge as key therapeutic strategies for mucus layer reinforcement and regeneration. Further research is warranted to develop disease- and symptom-specific mucus-targeted therapies, including refined post- and prebiotic based therapeutic approaches.
(1) Background: Tannacomp® is a drug consisting of tannin albuminate, a complex of tannic acid (TA) and ethacridine lactate (Eta) used for treating acute and traveler’s diarrhea. TA is thought to modulate gastrointestinal barrier function, but the underlying mechanisms and whether Eta has similar effects remains unclear. (2) Methods: to investigate the effects of TA and Eta on the intestinal barrier, stress responses were induced in murine intestinal organoids by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure or withdrawal of growth factors from cell culture medium (GFRed). Further, organoids were exposed to either TA (0.01 mg/mL) or Eta (0.002 mg/mL) and markers of inflammatory response and gut barrier function were assessed. (3) Results: TA and Eta reduced several inflammatory markers such as interleukin 6, interleukin 1β, tumor necrosis factor α, and myeloid differentiation primary response 88 in stressed organoids. In addition, TA and Eta attenuated LPS- and GFRed-mediated gut barrier dysfunctions, with normalization of tight junction, adherent junction and mucin gene expression and reduction of Nod2- and matrix metalloproteinase 7-dependent activation of antimicrobial peptides. (4) Conclusions: our data show that TA and Eta modulate markers of inflammation and the intestinal barrier and suggest novel mechanisms of action of this drug that could broaden its treatment indications.
Preliminary empirical evidence supports the efficacy of digital parent management training (d-PMT) in the treatment of externalizing behavior problems in children. This study investigated the efficacy of a mobile-based self-directed d-PMT for parents of children aged 4–11 years with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with or without oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and without pharmacological and/or behavioral therapy. Participants were randomized 1:1 to d-PMT (hiToco ® ) plus treatment as usual (TAU) or TAU only for 16 weeks. The primary outcome was a reduction of parent-rated externalizing problem behavior including symptoms of ADHD and ODD. Secondary outcomes included parent-rated ADHD symptoms only, ODD symptoms only, and functional impairment of the child as well as parenting behavior and family strain. Sixty-five participants were randomized to the dPMT + TAU group ( n = 34) or the TAU group ( n = 31). All children had a clinical diagnosis of ADHD; clinically diagnosed ODD was reported in 9 children (26.5%) in the d-PMT + TAU group and 13 children (42%) in the TAU group. The mean ± SD age of the children was 8.4 ± 1.7 years (69.2% boys). On average, participants used the program for 8 h in total. Regarding the primary outcome, significant treatment effects favoring the d-PMT + TAU group compared to the TAU group were observed at week 12 (W12) and W16 (Cohen’s d at W12: 0.74; at W16: 0.48). Post-hoc analyses showed that 50% of the children in the d-PMT + TAU group compared to 30% in the TAU group were reliably recovered or improved. Significant treatment effects in favor of the d-PMT + TAU group were also observed for all secondary variables. Our findings suggest that a mobile-based self-directed d-PMT for parents may play an important role in the multimodal treatment of children with ADHD in future clinical routine practice.
