Efficacy of Cafon gel on cutaneous infection with herpes simplex virus (HSV)-2 and acyclovir-resistant HSV in mice

Medicinal plants and natural compounds against acyclovir-resistant HSV infections

Herpes simplex virus (HSV), an alphaherpesvirus, is highly prevalent in the human population and is known to cause oral and genital herpes and various complications. Represented by acyclovir (ACV), nucleoside analogs have been the main clinical treatment against HSV infection thus far. However, due to prolonged and excessive use, HSV has developed ACV-resistant strains. Therefore, effective treatment against ACV-resistant HSV strains is urgently needed. In this review, we summarized the plant extracts and natural compounds that inhibited ACV-resistant HSV infection and their mechanism of action.

Short-term iontophoretic and post-iontophoretic transport of model penetrants across excised human epidermis

The effect of short-term current application (0.4mA for 10min) on the epidermal transport of two model penetrants (butyl paraben, BP; caffeine, CF) of differing lipohilicity was investigated and compared to that produced by employing an established method of skin penetration enhancement (delipidisation). The aim was to investigate the mechanism of enhancement and route of skin permeation associated with each penetrant and mode of treatment. Franz cell diffusion experiments were conducted using human epidermal sheets and a saturated buffer solution (pH 7.4) of the respective penetrant, at a pseudo-finite dose. The effects of electrode type (anodal or cathodal) and current treatment protocol (iontophoresis or post-iontophoresis) on solute permeation was found not to be significantly different (p>0.05). However, in contrast to BP, a significant increase in CF transport (3-5-fold) relative to untreated skin was observed when iontophoretic/post-iontophoretic treatment protocols were employed. The use of delipidised skin was found to enhance the permeation of both model penetrants to an extent greater than iontophoresis (BP: 3-fold; CF: 24-fold). Results from this study suggest that the permeation of the more hydrophilic CF across the skin, unlike BP, may involve multiple pathways. Electroperturbation of the epidermis was confirmed as the mechanism responsible for enhancing CF transport when electrical current was applied. Iontophoretic and post-iontophoretic enhancement may serve as a potential approach to enhance the topical delivery of CF in cosmetic or dermatological treatments (anti-cellulite, viral infections and psoriasis).

Skin infections and infestations in geriatric patients

Geriatric patients develop infections, but many have a different appearance from what usually is expected. The difference depends on the age and immune status of the patient and the virulence of the organism. Differences may make recognition more difficult. Therapy may require different doses. Examples of the more common infections are detailed in this article.

Suppression of recurrent genital herpes simplex virus type 2 infection by Rhus javanica in guinea pigs

Rhus javanica has been shown to exhibit anti-herpes simplex virus (HSV) activity and potentiate the anti-HSV activity of acyclovir in vitro and in vivo. This extract was examined for its suppressive efficacy on recurrent genital infection in guinea pigs. Guinea pigs were primarily infected intravaginally with HSV type 2 (HSV-2). Prophylactic oral administration, at the dose corresponding to human use, of R. javanica significantly reduced the incidence, severity and/or frequency of spontaneous and severe skin lesions as compared with latently infected guinea pigs administered with water. This prophylactic efficacy was confirmed by the crossover administration, for more than 2 months, of R. javanica and water to the infected guinea pigs. Toxicity, such as weight loss, from R. javanica administration was not observed in the guinea pigs. When recurrent HSV-2 disease was induced by ultraviolet irradiation 3 months after primary infection, the prophylaxis with R. javanica was also significantly effective in reducing the severity of ultraviolet-induced skin lesions. Thus, prophylaxis of recurrent genital HSV-2 infection with R. javanica may preserve the efficacy of acyclovir by reducing both the use of acyclovir and the appearance of acyclovir-resistant viruses.