Skin lightening properties of zerumbone cream: A placebo-controlled study

OBJECTIVE

Despite the demonstrated anti-melanogenic and UV protective effects of Zerumbone (ZER) in vitro, there is a lack of clinical trials that have been done to assess these properties. The primary objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of ZER in lightening the skin tone of human participants with a single-blind approach.

METHODS

Twenty-six participants were randomly assigned to two groups to investigate the application location (left or right volar forearm) for the placebo and ZER creams. Both creams were topically administered to the volar forearms twice daily over a duration of 4 weeks. Initial skin irritation was assessed before and 30 min after applying creams. The melanin and erythema levels were quantified with Mexameter MX 18.

RESULTS

Twenty participants were included in the analysis. The cream formulation had excellent physical properties and was well-received by the participants. The initial skin irritation study results indicated that neither of the creams elicited an allergic reaction. The administration of ZER cream resulted in a statistically significant reduction in melanin levels (p < 0.05) after 1 week compared to the initial baseline. Furthermore, after 2 weeks of application, ZER cream demonstrated significant differences in melanin levels compared to placebo (p < 0.05). No adverse effects were observed in the group using ZER cream.

CONCLUSION

ZER demonstrated significant potential as a skin-lightening agent.

Microbiota-gut-brain axis and its therapeutic applications in neurodegenerative diseases

The human gastrointestinal tract is populated with a diverse microbial community. The vast genetic and metabolic potential of the gut microbiome underpins its ubiquity in nearly every aspect of human biology, including health maintenance, development, aging, and disease. The advent of new sequencing technologies and culture-independent methods has allowed researchers to move beyond correlative studies toward mechanistic explorations to shed light on microbiome-host interactions. Evidence has unveiled the bidirectional communication between the gut microbiome and the central nervous system, referred to as the "microbiota-gut-brain axis". The microbiota-gut-brain axis represents an important regulator of glial functions, making it an actionable target to ameliorate the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms of the microbiota-gut-brain axis in neurodegenerative diseases. As the gut microbiome provides essential cues to microglia, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes, we examine the communications between gut microbiota and these glial cells during healthy states and neurodegenerative diseases. Subsequently, we discuss the mechanisms of the microbiota-gut-brain axis in neurodegenerative diseases using a metabolite-centric approach, while also examining the role of gut microbiota-related neurotransmitters and gut hormones. Next, we examine the potential of targeting the intestinal barrier, blood-brain barrier, meninges, and peripheral immune system to counteract glial dysfunction in neurodegeneration. Finally, we conclude by assessing the pre-clinical and clinical evidence of probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation in neurodegenerative diseases. A thorough comprehension of the microbiota-gut-brain axis will foster the development of effective therapeutic interventions for the management of neurodegenerative diseases.

Do Lipid-based Nanoparticles Hold Promise for Advancing the Clinical Translation of Anticancer Alkaloids?

Since the commercialization of morphine in 1826, numerous alkaloids have been isolated and exploited effectively for the betterment of mankind, including cancer treatment. However, the commercialization of alkaloids as anticancer agents has generally been limited by serious side effects due to their lack of specificity to cancer cells, indiscriminate tissue distribution and toxic formulation excipients. Lipid-based nanoparticles represent the most effective drug delivery system concerning clinical translation owing to their unique, appealing characteristics for drug delivery. To the extent of our knowledge, this is the first review to compile in vitro and in vivo evidence of encapsulating anticancer alkaloids in lipid-based nanoparticles. Alkaloids encapsulated in lipid-based nanoparticles have generally displayed enhanced in vitro cytotoxicity and an improved in vivo efficacy and toxicity profile than free alkaloids in various cancers. Encapsulated alkaloids also demonstrated the ability to overcome multidrug resistance in vitro and in vivo. These findings support the broad application of lipid-based nanoparticles to encapsulate anticancer alkaloids and facilitate their clinical translation. The review then discusses several limitations of the studies analyzed, particularly the discrepancies in reporting the pharmacokinetics, biodistribution and toxicity data. Finally, we conclude with examples of clinically successful encapsulated alkaloids that have received regulatory approval and are undergoing clinical evaluation.

Resveratrol as a potential broad-spectrum compound for cancer treatment

There is a need to shift the paradigm of cancer therapeutic approach. The severe adverse side effects, drug resistanceand unaffordable price plagued with chemotherapeutic drugs has spurred the development of “dirty drug”. Natural products,specifically phytochemicals, have gained much attention due to their ability to target multiple interconnected pathways.Resveratrol (RSV), the stilbenes found in red wine, is one of the phytochemicals that exhibits various pharmacologicaltherapeutic effects including cancer. In this review, we highlighted RSV as a potential “broad-spectrum” anticancer compound,by summarising its targeting mechanisms in the pathways relevant to the cancer hallmarks.

Early experience in free tissue transfer in the reconstruction of head and neck defects

INTRODUCTION

This study aims to retrospectively review our early experience with free tissue transfer in the reconstruction of head and neck defects following extirpation of head and neck cancers in a tertiary hospital in Singapore.

METHODS

A total of 25 patients underwent free tissue transfer between June 1998 and Oct 2003. An overall descriptive analysis was carried out by looking at the following outcome measures: length of hospitalisation, duration of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, readmission for complication, and failure rate.

RESULTS

There were 21 men and four women in our study cohort, with their age ranging from 28 to 89 (mean 59.8) years. The mean length of stay was 12.6 (SD 7.3) days and mean stay in ICU was 1.6 days. Two patients (8.0 percent) were readmitted within a 30-day period after discharge for flap-related complications. Six patients (24 percent) developed flap-related complications. Two patients developed pharyngocutaneous fistula, three patients developed flap venous congestion and one patient developed minor donor site haematoma. Salvage anastomotic revision was performed in all the three congested flaps. One of the flaps was successfully revived, while the other two flaps were lost. Hence, our flap success rate was 92 percent (23/25).

CONCLUSION

Our early experience shows that free tissue transfer is a safe surgical option in the reconstruction of head and neck defects. Our success rate is 92 percent. We believe that subsequent results would continue to improve with advances in technical skill and experience.

Cyclooxygenase-2 expression in Warthin's tumour

Objectives: To determine whether cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is overexpressed in Warthin's tumours, and to characterize its pattern of expression.

Methods: Twenty-one paraffin-embedded Warthin's tumour specimens were analysed by immunohistochemical staining for expression of human COX-2. Semi-quantitative analysis of the staining was performed.

Results: In all of the specimens, we found that there was overexpression of COX-2 within the epithelial component of the tumours, with no expression in the lymphoid components. There was also overexpression of COX-2 in the salivary duct system of normal parotid tissue.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that COX-2 is up-regulated in the epithelial component of Warthin's tumours. Our findings support the hypothesis that Warthin's tumours originate from heterotopic ductal epithelial cells of the parotid gland. The role of COX-2 expression in the pathogenesis of Warthin's tumours remains to be determined.

Changes in the local morphology of the rectus abdominis muscle following the DIEP flap: an ultrasonographic study

This study was undertaken to assess the changes in the local morphology of the rectus abdominis muscle following intramuscular dissection of the deep inferior epigastric artery perforators after harvesting of the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap. While the DIEP provides the well-known advantage of use of the lower abdominal tissue with preservation of the integrity of the abdominal wall musculature, postoperative problems such as abdominal asymmetry, bulges and reduced flexion capacity have been found. These changes may be due to rectus abdominis muscle damage from ischemia or denervation. We used ultrasonography to assess the changes in rectus abdominis muscle thickness and contractility, preoperatively, 1-month and 1-year postoperatively. The study group consisted of 17 rectus abdominis muscles in 14 patients subjected to intramuscular dissection of perforators. The control group consisted of 11 intact rectus abdominis muscles in 11 patients who had undergone unilateral DIEP flap elevation, the dissected muscles being part of the study group. We found that the resting muscle thickness in the study group was, significantly increased at 1-month postoperatively, resolving by 1-year follow-up. As these changes were not seen in the control group, the increased muscle thickness is attributed to postoperative oedema that resolves with time. All muscles in the study and control groups retained contractility showing no evidence of muscle denervation. Our date demonstrates that intramuscular dissection of perforator vessels in the DIEP flap leads to minimal changes in the local morphology and contractility of the rectus abdominis muscle.

Somatostatin receptors in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Somatostatin receptors (SS-Rs) are expressed in neuroendocrine tumour tissues where they can be targetted for diagnosis and therapy. This study investigated the presence of SS-Rs in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), a common cancer in South-East Asia. Nasopharynx biopsy specimens were obtained from 12 NPC patients and 5 patients without tumours. Somatostatin receptor autoradiography was performed using (125)I-labelled [Tyr(3)]-octreotide and (125)I-labelled [Leu(8), DTrp(22), Tyr(25)]-somatostatin-28 as radioligands. Of the 12 NPC samples 9 showed moderate to high expression of SS-Rs. These were of the sst(2) type, based on the rank order of potency of subtype-selective analogues. The 5 non-neoplastic samples, consisting primarily of granulomatous tissue, did not express measurable amounts of SS-Rs. This study demonstrates for the first time the presence of type 2 SS-R in NPC. These receptors may play a role in the management of NPC, as is the case for other somatostatin-expressing tumours.