A series of in vitro and human studies of a novel lip cream formulation for protecting against environmental triggers of recurrent herpes labialis

Clinical Efficacy and Safety of a Highly Purified Polynucleotide for Dry and Chapped Lips: A Prospective, Multicenter Study

BACKGROUND

Dry and chapped lips are a common nuisance. Besides the discomfort, many report feeling embarrassed over the unsightly appearance of their chapped lips. The aim of this study was to determine if polynucleotide (PN) injection helps relieve lip dryness and assess safety in practicing PN in this specific area.

METHODS

In this prospective study, 30 Korean subjects with dry and chapped lips enrolled to receive PN injection on the vermilion zone (a total of 3 injections, each 3 weeks apart). Vermilion wrinkle and roughness were scored based on the photos taken pretreatment (week 0); before the 2nd and 3rd injection (week 3, week 6); and 3 weeks after the 3rd injection (week 9) using the respective severity rating scales. Safety data were obtained throughout the study period.

RESULTS

A total of 27 individuals completed the study. PN significantly improved both the vermilion wrinkles (assessed by the Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale (WSRS)) and roughness (assessed by the Lip Roughness Grading Scale (LRGS)) at all time points compared to baseline (p < 0.05). The WSRS response rate (Ratio of subjects whose WRSR decreased by ≥ 1 point compared to baseline) at week 9 was 100%. Lip swelling was experienced by all subjects when examined 30 min after PN injection, followed by pain (90%) and redness (77%). The injection site adverse reactions were mostly mild and transient.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that PN may be a promising option to soothe dry and chapped lips. However, larger studies with long-term follow-up are necessary to confirm the preliminary findings of this study.

Anxiety and Sun Exposure as Triggers for Herpes Labialis: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Introduction

Herpes labialis (HL) is a prevalent viral infection caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), affecting a significant portion of the global population. The reactivation of HSV-1 leading to HL can be triggered by various factors, including psychosocial factors (depression, stress, and anxiety), exposure to ultraviolet light, a febrile environment, and specific dietary inadequacy.

Purpose

This case report explores the association between HL, psychological conditions, and sun exposure.

Case Report

A 20-year-old male patient came with a chief complaint of swollen lips with tiny pimples for two days, accompanied by malaise. The patient was working as a florist in a sun-exposed area and experiencing stress due to financial difficulties. Extraorally, multiple vesicles were found on the left side of the upper lip, surrounded by erythema, and painless. Laboratory examinations showed a reactive HSV-1 IgG. The depression, anxiety, and stress scale-21 (DASS-21) questionnaire showed an extremely severe level of anxiety.

Case Management

The patient was given systemic and topical acyclovir, multivitamins, hyaluronic acid mouthwash, and petroleum jelly. In addition, the patient was advised to reduce the frequency of sun exposure, apply sunscreen, and seek professional help to manage the anxiety. A review of eight case reports related to HL from 1994-2024 has been reported in this literature and emphasizes the connection of HL with psychological factors and sun exposure.

Conclusion

This case underscores the potential link between anxiety, sun exposure, and the onset of HL. Understanding these associations is crucial for effective management and prevention strategies.

A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Evaluation of the Therapeutic Benefits of an Herbal Lip Hydrant

OBJECTIVE

Dry and chapped lips adversely affect both lip structure and function, yet there is no established gold standard for their treatment. Herbal extracts present a promising alternative due to their natural properties, though their therapeutic potential for lip care remains underexplored. This study aims to develop and clinically evaluate a novel lip hydrant formulated with polyherbal extracts, with the objective of offering an effective solution for managing dry and chapped lips.

METHODS

Six herbal extracts and eight mixtures, consisting of at least three herbal extracts, were evaluated for cytotoxicity using the MTT assay in HaCaT cells. The essential molecular markers were examined by western blot analysis and immunofluorescence assay. The selected mixture was formulated into lip hydrant and tested in a randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial. The 66 Thai participants with dry lip concerns were randomly assigned into two groups. Each participant applied either the lip hydrant (test group) or petroleum gel (control group) once daily for 28 days. Clinical assessments were performed at baseline and on day 28 post-application. The lip conditions, lip texture wrinkles, and hemoglobin levels were measured. Participant assessments included ratings of lip dryness, appearance, and product satisfaction.

RESULTS

The herbal extracts demonstrated potential in strengthening cell adherence, providing antioxidant effect, and inducing self-renewal. The Mix2 shows the most promising activity, increasing adherent protein and stemness properties, and was selected as the active ingredient for the clinical trial. In the trial, both the test and control groups experienced a significant reduction in lip roughness by day 28 compared to baseline (p < 0.05). However, the test group exhibited a significantly greater reduction in chapped lips than the control group (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found between the groups in terms of lip texture, wrinkle levels, or hemoglobin levels. Notably, both groups showed significant improvements in perceived lip dryness by day 28 (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The study findings support the therapeutic potential of the novel polyherbal lip hydrant in improving lip hydration, reducing roughness, and alleviating chapped lips (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT06475482).

Human lip vermilion: Physiology and age-related changes

BACKGROUND

The human lip vermilion, also known as the red lip, is important to the quality of life and has long attracted the attention of cosmetic researchers. However, there is limited existing literature on the physiological characteristics and age-related alterations in the human vermilion.

OBJECTIVE

We aim to provide an overview of the physiological characteristics and age-related alterations in the human vermilion.

METHODS

This article is a result of previous research. We conducted a literature search using various academic databases such as Google Scholar, Web of Science, and PubMed. Our findings provided a comprehensive understanding of the physiological characteristics and age-related changes of the human lip vermilion.

RESULTS

The human lip vermilion has a unique structure and physiological characteristics, and during the aging process, a few changes may occur in the human lip vermilion.

CONCLUSION

Understanding the human lip vermilion's physiological characteristics and age-related changes can provide key information for the future innovation of lip vermilion care products. Further investigations are necessary to reach a consensus on the physiological characteristics and age-related alterations in the human vermilion.

Clinical Features and Biophysical Characteristics of Lips of South Asian Women

Introduction

The vermillion lip has unique physical properties and environmental exposures make them prone to dryness and chapping. While lips contribute to facial beauty, perioral aging is highly individual and dependent on ethnicity. Specifically with regard to South Asian population, there is no other literature identified on the biophysical characteristics of the vermillion lip.

Methods

In this work, characteristics of the vermillion skin in South Asians were examined through various clinical and biophysical characteristics of the lips such as dryness and roughness, fine lip lines, lip texture, hydration, and barrier function. Healthy South Asian females, from age 20-45 were recruited for this study and transepidermal water loss (TEWL), hydration, visual lip tolerance, and visual dryness were measured and graded by the dermatologist-investigator.

Results

Lip texture and fine lines significantly increased from the 20s to the 40s. Overall lip health significantly decreased with age. TEWL and dryness increased with age while hydration decreased with age, although not significantly so.

Discussion

This first-of-its kind study on South Asian females establishes that with age there is a decrease in overall lip health and an increase in signs of aging of the lips (fine lines, texture) from the 20s to 40s.

[Herpes simplex factors: Literature review]

Herpes simplex virus, after the first infection, can remain dormant in the lymph nodes and reactivate at any time due to certain factors and/or stimuli causing effects in the patient. The purpose of this literature review is to update scientific information on the factors that predispose to the reactivation of herpes simplex virus. A comprehensive literature review was conducted in the LILACS, SciELO, PubMed, Scopus and the following keywords were used: herpes simplex, reactivation, latency and risks. A factor is reactivation by immunosuppression due to the intake of immunosuppressants or oncological therapy. Another factor is psychological stress, in which the hormones released act on mediating signs of reactivation. Sun exposure that reactivates the virus in infected neurons and infection in pregnant women can trigger complications in the fetus and delivery.

Preparation, Characterization and Evaluation of Organogel-Based Lipstick Formulations: Application in Cosmetics

1,3:2,4-Dibenzylidene-D-sorbitol (DBS) and 12-hydroxystearic acid (12-HSA) are well-known as low-molecular-weight organogelators (LMOGs) capable of gelling an organic liquid phase. Considering their unique chemical and physical properties, we assessed their potential effects in new lipstick formulations by discrimination testing; in vitro measurements of the sun protection factor (SPF); and thermal, mechanical and texture analyzes. DBS and 12-HSA were used to formulate four types of lipsticks: L1 (1% DBS), L2 (10% 12-HSA), L3 (1.5% DBS) and L4 (control, no LMOGs). The lipsticks were tested for sensory perception with an untrained panel of 16 consumers. LMOG formulations exhibited higher UVA protection factor (UVA-PF) and in vitro SPF, particularly in the 12-HSA-based lipstick. Regarding thermal properties, the 12-HSA-based lipstick and those without LMOGs were more heat-amenable compared to thermoresistant DBS-based lipsticks. The results also showed the viscoelastic and thermally reversible properties of LMOGs and their effect of increasing pay-off values. In general, the texture analysis indicated that 12-HSA-based lipstick was significantly harder to bend compared to control, while the other formulations became softer and easier to bend throughout the stability study. This work suggests the potential use of LMOGs as a structuring agent for lipsticks, paving the way towards more photoprotective and sustainable alternatives.

In vitro three-dimensional organotypic culture models of the oral mucosa

Three-dimensional, organotypic models of the oral mucosa have been developed to study a wide variety of phenomena occurring in the oral cavity. Although a number of models have been developed in academic research labs, only a few models have been commercialized. Models from academic groups offer a broader range of phenotypes while the commercial models are more focused on the oral and gingival mucosa. The commercialized models are manufactured under highly controlled conditions and meet the requirements of quality standards, which leads to high levels of reproducibility. These in vitro models have been used to evaluate the irritancy of oral care products such as toothpastes, mouthwashes, and mucoadhesives. The effects of cigarette smoke on oral cavity tissues have been studied and compared to those of e-cigarettes. Oral tissue models have facilitated investigation of the mechanisms of oral mucositis and oral candidiasis and have been used to examine transbuccal drug delivery rates and the absorption of nanoparticles. Infection studies have investigated the effects of HIV-1 along with the effects of commensal and pathogenic bacteria. More recently, a differentiated oral tissue model has been shown to express the ACE2 receptor, which is known to be important for the receptor-mediated entry of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus into human cells and tissues. Hence, oral mucosal models may find application in determining whether viral infection of the oral mucosa is possible and whether such infection has implications vis-a-vis the current COVID-19 pandemic. As is apparent, these models are used in a broad variety of applications and often offer advantages versus animal models in terms of reproducibility, avoiding species extrapolation, and the ethical concerns related to human and animal experimentation. The goals of this paper are to review commercially available models of the human buccal and gingival mucosa and highlight their use to gain a better understanding of a broad range of phenomena affecting tissues in the oral cavity.