Contact allergy to colophony in Chinese Musk and Tiger-Bone Plaster

Robust and flexible free-standing films for unidirectional drug delivery

Robust and flexible free-standing polymer films for unidirectional drug delivery are fabricated by sandwiching drug-containing polyelectrolyte multilayer films between poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) barrier and capping layers. The drug-containing films are fabricated by layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly of chemically cross-linked poly(allylamine hydrochloride)-dextran (PAH-D) microgel and hyaluronic acid (HA), which can load negatively charged cancer-inhibiting drug, methotrexate (MTX). Because the PLGA barrier layer effectively blocks MTX release, MTX can be predominantly released from the PLGA capping layer of the free-standing film. This increases the efficacy of released MTX to cancer cells while minimizing its side effects on the normal tissues. We believe that the unidirectional drug delivery free-standing films can open a new avenue to design of highly efficient drug delivery systems for biomedical application.

A patch test study of 27 crude drugs commonly used in Chinese topical medicaments

Chinese topical medicaments (CTMs) are commonly used in Taiwan and in Southeast Asia. However, a systematic evaluation of contact sensitization potential from CTM has not been carried out to our knowledge. This study was undertaken to investigate the incidence of contact sensitivity to the components of CTM in patients with contact dermatitis from CTM. A screening series of 27 crude drugs most commonly used in CTM as well as a modified European standard series was patch tested in 30 patients. The herbs with the most frequent positive reactions were Flos Caryophylli (see text), Radix Angelicae Pubescentis (see text), Cortex Cinnamomi (see text), Cortex Radix Acanthopanacis (see text), Caulis Impatientis (see text), Resina Draconis/Sanguis Draconis (see text), Fructus Cnidii (see text), Radix Gentiana Macrophyllae (see text), and Rhizoma Ligustici Chuanxiong (see text). Concomitant allergy to colophonium was found in most of these positive reactions. Reducing the concentration and simplifying the compositions of these components, as well as replacement with those of low allergenicity in CTM, such as Rhizoma Arisaematis (see text), Herba Lycopodii (see text), Radix Cyathulae Officinalis (see text), Rhizoma Pinelliae (see text), Radix Angelicae Dahuricae (see text), Herba Dendrobii (see text), Secretio Moschus (see text), and Stigmata Croci (see text), may be advocated. A precise labelling of the dosage of each component and the exact chemical compounds in CTM products could further improve the safety and therapeutic effects of CTM in the future.

Allergic contact dermatitis due to a Chinese orthopaedic solution tieh ta yao gin

3 cases of contact dermatitis due to a Chinese herbal orthopaedic solution Tieh Ta Yao Gin and its putative ingredients are reported. Patch testing demonstrated allergy to mastic and myrrh, natural gum resins widely used in traditional Chinese medicine to relieve pain and swelling due to traumatic injury.