Efficacy of a multitargeted, salicylic acid-based dermocosmetic cream compared to benzoyl peroxide 5% in Acne vulgaris: Results from a randomized study

INTRODUCTION

Acne vulgaris (acne) is characterized by both inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions. Benzoyl peroxide (BPO) 5% is approved to treat acne but may cause skin irritation and/or contact allergy.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the benefit in acne of a multitargeted dermocosmetic cream containing salicylic acid, lipohydroxy acid, niacinamide, 2-oleamido-1,3-octadecanediol, piroctone olamine, zinc, Aqua posae filiformis, and thermal spring water (DC-Eff) to BPO 5% gel.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

150 Caucasian subjects (50% female) aged between 18 and 40 years, with mild to moderate acne according to the GEA (Global Evaluation of Acne) grading system were randomized into two parallel groups (DC-Eff or BPO to be applied twice daily for 56 days). IGA (investigator global assessment), GEA, lesion count, clinical signs and symptoms, and subject assessment were evaluated at baseline, and after 28 and 56 days (D28 and D56) of treatment.

RESULTS

The responder analyses of the IGA and GEA scores showed that 62.2% and 47.3%, respectively, in the DC-Eff, compared with 50.0% and 36.5%, respectively, in the BPO, had improved by at least one point at D56. Inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesion counts significantly (p < 0.0001) decreased with both products from baseline, with no between-group difference. Subjects considered that their skin was smoother and that DC-Eff was easy to apply. DC-Eff was better tolerated than BPO.

CONCLUSIONS

DC-Eff applied twice daily is as beneficial as BPO in improving mild-to-moderate acne. DC-Eff was better tolerated than BPO and highly appreciated.

Physicochemical properties and compatibility of sodium alginate and fucoidan solutions

The interaction between linear sodium alginate and branched fucoidan were investigated using viscosity and tensiometric measurements. It was shown that water-soluble interpolymer complex is formed. The alginate-fucoidan complexation is due to the formation of a cooperative system of hydrogen bonds between the ionogenic and hidroxyl groups of sodium alginate and fucoidan and hydrophobic interactions. The intensity of the polysaccharide-polysaccharide interaction increases with an increase in the content of fucoidan in the blend. It was established that alginate and fucoidan are weak surfactants of the associative type. The surface activity of fucoidan was 34.6 mN∙m²/mol, and for alginate was 20.7 mN∙m²/mol. The resulting alginate-fucoidan interpolymer complex exhibits high surface activity and indicates a synergistic effect of combining two polysaccharides. The values of the activation energy of the viscous flow process were 7.0 kJ∙mol^-1, 16.2 for kJ∙mol^-1 and 33.9 kJ∙mol^-1for alginate, fucoidan and their blend, respectively. These studies provide a methodological basis for determining the conditions for preparation of homogeneous film materials with a certain complex of physico-chemical and mechanical properties.

CARDIOMYOCYTE DNA CONTENT AND ITS LINK TO CSE/ H2S SYSTEM IN THE HEART OF EXPERIMENTAL DIABETIC RATS

One of the most common complication of diabetes mellitus (DM) is diabetic cardiomyopathy, which is associated with the development of inflammation, fibrosis and the induction of apoptosis. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has recently been shown to play an important role in the regulation of cardiac and vascular function. The role of the H2S system in the mechanisms of diabetic heart development remains uncertain. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of modulators of H2S system on the level of DNA fragmentation and H2S concentration in heart of rats with experimental diabetes mellitus. The experiment was performed on 40 white laboratory male rats (180-250 g), randomly divided into 4 groups (n=10): healthy (control), diabetes mellitus induced by streptozotocin (STZ), diabetes mellitus + propargylglycine, inhibitor of cystathionine gamma lyase (STZ + PPG), diabetes mellitus + NaHS, exogenous H2S donor (STZ + NaHS). The experimental DM was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (40 mg/kg). The animals from two groups (3rd and 4th groups) starting from 14th to 28th day after the injection of STZ were administered modulators of H2S system i/p once per day. D, L-propargylglycine was dosed at 50 mg/kg body weight, while NaHS · H2O - at 3 mg/kg body weight. H2S content in hearts was evaluated by spectrophotometry (Wilinski, 2011). DNA content was determined by flow cytometry (Partec PAS, Germany). The development of DM in rats was accompanied by a significant decrease in myocardial H2S concentration by 36.6% (p<0.05) compared with control. The administration of proparglyglycine led to an increase in H2S deficiency (29.4%, p<0.05) compared to the STZ group. The administration of NaHS resulted in a decrease in H2S deficiency (by 23.5%, p<0.05) compared to the STZ group. Flow cytometry showed that DM was accompanied by an increased apoptotic activity (increased number of myocardiocytes in the SUB- G0G1 phase by 11.4%, p<0.05), polyploidization (increased proportion of cells in the G2M phase by 32.1%, p<0.05) and proliferation (29.8% increase in S-phase cells, p<0.05) of heart cells compared with controls. The introduction of propargylglycine led to an increase in apoptosis (14.4%, p<0.05) compared with the STZ group. Whereas NaHS administration decreased the degree of apoptosis (12.3%, p<0.05), polyploidization (14.4%, p<0.05) and proliferation compared (26.2%, p<0.05) with untreated diabetes. Correlation analysis showed that impaired H2S metabolism is an important factor of disregulation of cell cycle in diabetic heart: a reliable inverse relationship was registered (r=-(0,69-83), p<0.01) between H2S level and the indicators of apoptosis activity, proliferation and polyploidization. Disintegration of the H2S/CSE system is associated with an increase in apoptosis activity, polyploidization, and proliferation of myocardiocytes in experimental DM. Modulation of H2S metabolism is a potential direction for the prevention of the development of cardiovascular complications of diabetes.

Synthesis of the First Representatives of Thieno[3,2-c][1,7]naphthyridine Derivatives Based on 3-Amino-6-methyl-4-(2-thienyl) pyridin-2(1H)-one

A one-pot method for obtaining novel thieno[3,2-c][1,7]naphthyridine derivatives based on the reaction of 3-amino-4-(thien-2-yl)pyridin-2(1H)-one with aromatic aldehydes in 80% ­phosphoric acid at 130 °C has been developed. The formation of the thieno[3,2-c][1,7]naphthyridine ring was due to the intermediate generation of the corresponding azomethine, which underwent intra­molecular cyclization with electrophilic attack of the β-carbon atom of the thiophene core under Pictet–Spengler conditions. The isolated 5,7-dihydrothieno[3,2-c][1,7]naphthyridin-4(3H)-ones underwent oxidative aromatization in air to give thieno[3,2-c][1,7]naphthyridin-6(7H)-ones. A two-step synthesis of thieno[3,2-c][1,7]naphthyridines involving the isolation of the intermediate imine did not lead to a significant increase in the product yield.

A New Approach to the Synthesis of Benzo[c][1,7]naphthyridin-4(3H)-ones

A simple and efficient approach has been developed for the synthesis of previously inaccessible 6-arylbenzo[c][1,7]naphthyridin-4(3H)-ones, which is based on the interaction of 3-amino-6-methyl-4-arylpyridin-2(1H)-ones and aromatic aldehydes in a strong acidic media (trifluoroacetic, phosphorous or polyphosphorous acids) under heating. The initial imine derivatives undergo Pictet–Spengler condensation to form intermediate 6-aryl-5,6-dihydrobenzo[c]-1,7-naphthyridin-4(3H)-ones, which are oxidized by atmospheric oxygen to give 3-amino-6-methyl-4-arylpyridin-2(1H)-ones as the final products.