The flowers of 20 native taxa of Petunia (Solanaceae) were investigated by HPLC for the occurrence of anthocyanins. The investigation revealed the presence of at least 24 anthocyanins in their flowers, of which 18 known anthocyanins isolated from the flowers of P. exserta, P. guarapuavensis, P. integrifolia, P. occidentalis, and P. reitzii were fully identified by chemical and spectral methods to be 3-glucoside of delphinidin; 3-rutinosides of cyanidin, delphinidin, and petunidin; 3-rutinoside-5-glucosides, 3-trans and -cis-p-coumaroylrutinoside-5-glucosides, and 3-trans-caffeoylrutinoside-5-glucosides of delphinidin, petunidin, and malvidin; and 3-transcaffeoylglucosyl-trans-(caffeoyl or p-coumaroyl) rutinoside-5-glucosides of malvidin. Six novel anthocyanins were isolated from the flowers of P. occidentalis, and their structures were identified to be 3-glucosyl p-coumaroylrutinoside-5-glucosides and 3-glucosylcaffeoylrutinosides of petunidin and malvidin, and also 3-caffeoylglucosylcaffeoylrutinoside-5-glucoside and 3-caffeoylglucosyl p-coumaroylrutinoside-5-glucoside of petunidin. Out of the six pigments, petunidin 3-glucosyl p-coumaroylrutinoside-5-glucoside was unambiguously determined by spectral methods to be petunidin 3-O-[6-O-(4-O-(4-O-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)-trans-p-coumaroyl)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl)-β-d-glucopyranoside]- 5-O-[β-d-glucopyranoside]. The 20 native taxa of Petunia could be placed into four groups (A, B, C, and D) with one further into five subgroups (D1–D5) regarding their constituents and contents of major anthocyanins and also their pigment biosynthesis with respect to the blocks or inhibitors of the hydroxylation, glucosylation, and acylation reactions in them. The use of anthocyanins as taxonomic markers in the genus Petunia is discussed in relation to the flower colour and possible pollination vectors.

The use of transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation is new to dermatologists but has a long history. A list of published applications includes use in therapy for postherpetic neuralgia, increased peripheral circulation, itching, varicose ulcers, ischemic ulcers, diabetic neuropathy, leprous neuritis, would healing, increased survival of skin flaps, Raynaud's phenomenon, scleroderma, esophageal dysmotility, and glossodynia.

This article presents numerous alternative therapies for stubborn dermatologic conditions. Agents include hypertonic saline, mexiletine, alpha-acetoxymandelic acid, deladumone, emulsified steroids, activated charcoal, azelaic acid, silymarin, and dexamethasone. Several surgical tips are also included for the practitioner's consideration.

Two patients with idiopathic livedo vasculitis responded favorably to therapy with pentoxifylline. One patient had responded to fibrinolytic therapy with phenformin and ethylestrenol before phenformin was taken off the market. Pentoxifylline (Trental) has multiple mechanisms of action, including stimulation of prostacyclin synthesis, decreased aggregation of platelets, increased deformability of red blood cells, increased mobility of neutrophils, and increased fibrinolysis. All of these factors may contribute to its successful use in the treatment of idiopathic livedo vasculitis.

The conditions treatable with PTX are limited only by our understanding of disease pathogenesis. Surely the reader will think of new applications. I would caution at this point that PTX is not the primary treatment for any cutaneous condition but may be a valuable therapeutic adjunct.