Current Issue : April-June Volume : 2026 Issue Number : 2 Articles : 5 Articles
Background: Frostbite injury is a thermal injury where ice crystals form in skin tissues and subsequently lead to damage due to prolonged exposure to cold temperatures below 0 ◦C. The extremities are mostly affected, leading to potential amputation. As there is no pharmacological treatment of frostbite injury, we recently reported that non-clinically viable hydrogen sulfide (H2S) donors promote frostbite wound healing in mice. In this study, we investigated whether commonly used cosmetic creams supplemented with sodium thiosulfate (STS), a clinically viable H2S donor drug, also promote healing of frostbite wounds. Methods: Frozen magnets (−80 ◦C) were placed on the dorsal skin of 40 C57BL/6 mice for 3 min to induce frostbite injury. Next, commercially available cosmetic creams (Aveeno, Dove, Neutrogena, and Nivea) were topically applied on frostbite wounds daily for 14 days with or without 150 μM of STS supplementation. The mice were sacrificed on day 15 after induction of frostbite injury, and samples of the injured dorsal skin tissue were collected for analysis. Results: Addition of STS enhanced frostbite wound healing, as evidenced by progressive and significantly reduced wound area by about 50% and inflammation (p < 0.05), and markedly increased granulation tissue formation by >45%, fibroblast maturation by >28%, and re-epithelialization by >63% compared to control groups (p < 0.05), with Nivea producing a superior wound-healing effect. Also, STS supplementation significantly upregulated the expression of CD31 (by >25%), KI- 67 (by >25%), CD163 (by >20%), fibronectin (by >14%), and cytokeratin (by >50%) in frostbite wounds compared to control groups, with Aveeno and Nivea producing a better wound-healing effect than Dove and Neutrogena creams. Conclusions: In conclusion, STS accelerated healing of frostbite wounds. Therefore, it could be considered as a novel pharmacological treatment of clinical frostbite....
Background: Isoconazole nitrate (ISN), an antifungal agent that inhibits ergosterol synthesis by blocking lanosterol 14α-demethylation, is widely used to treat candidiasis, and improving its skin retention and permeability can enhance its therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, we developed an ISN nanoparticle (ISN-NP) gel by wet-bead milling in the presence of methylcellulose (MC). Methods: These ISN nanoparticles were incorporated into a carboxypolymethylene hydrogel (Carbopol). The ISN concentration was measured using HPLC, and Wistar rats and Candida albicans were used to evaluate skin absorption and antifungal activity, respectively. Results: The ISN-NP gel exhibited a particle size distribution ranging from 60 to 220 nm, with the nanoparticles remaining stable. In addition, the ISN-NP gel demonstrated superior antifungal activity against Candida albicans. The Carbopol gel maintained appropriate viscosity and physical stability, and the ISN nanoparticles were released from the gel. Compared with microparticle-based gels (ISN-MP gels), the ISN-NP gel showed significantly enhanced drug release and transdermal permeation, with 1.54- and 1.7-fold increases, respectively. Conclusions: These findings indicate that incorporating ISN nanoparticles (nanocrystalline ISN) into a Carbopol-based gel matrix provides a promising strategy to enhance the topical delivery of this poorly water-soluble antifungal drug. Overall, this nanogel system represents a valuable platform for transdermal delivery in clinical applications....
Peptides are recognized as multifunctional bioactive ingredients in cosmetic science, as they offer diverse beneficial effects such as skin rejuvenation, anti-aging, and skin barrier enhancement. In this study, we applied a cheminformatics-assisted peptidomimetic design platform to design novel peptides targeting heat shock protein 47 (Hsp47), a collagenspecific molecular chaperone that is downregulated during skin aging. Using molecular fingerprint similarity-based peptide design and protein–peptide docking simulations, five candidate peptides were screened, among which ICP-1225 (TY) emerged as a potent stimulator of Hsp47 and collagen (COL1A1 and COL3A1) expression in dermal fibroblasts. To improve stability and skin penetration, fatty acid-conjugated derivatives of ICP-1225 were synthesized, and acetyl-TY (ICP-1236) demonstrated the most consistent upregulation of Hsp47 and collagen in vitro. Restoration of Hsp47 protein expression and dermal collagen levels in UVB-damaged ex vivo human skin explants was also observed. These findings highlight the potential of cheminformatics-assisted peptide design in the development of next-generation cosmetic actives. ICP-1236 represents a promising anti-wrinkle candidate through the modulation of Hsp47 and collagen pathways, warranting further clinical evaluation....
Background: Facial atrophic acne scars have a significant impact on patients’ psychosocial well-being and remain a therapeutic challenge. Existing treatments options are frequently limited by modest efficacy and adverse effects. The combination of Polynucleotide High-Purification Technology (PN HPT™) and hyaluronic acid (HA) represents a novel bioregenerative strategy aimed at improving dermal remodelling and overall skin quality. Methods: This six-month, prospective, real-world study evaluated the efficacy and safety of Newest® (Mastelli S.r.l., Sanremo, Italy), a sterile intradermal gel containing highly purified polynucleotides (10 mg/mL) and HA (10 mg/mL). Eligible participants, aged 20–60 years with moderate-to-severe atrophic facial post-acne scars, underwent four treatment sessions in two-week intervals. Efficacy was assessed using the Acne Scar Assessment Scale (ASAS) and Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) at three and six months, while safety was monitored throughout the study. Results: A total of 62 patients (32 Caucasian, 30 Asian; 19 males, 43 females; mean age: 36.6 years) completed the study. At three and six months, 46.8% showed at least a one-grade reduction in ASAS score with respect to the baseline. Patient-reported GAIS indicated that 54.8% perceived an improvement in scar appearance, aligning with investigator assessments. Only one mild, transient adverse event (wheal formation) occurred, which resolved spontaneously without intervention. Conclusions: In this real-world study, treatment with Polynucleotide High-Purification Technology (10 mg/mL) combined with HA (10 mg/mL) was associated with observable improvementin atrophic facial acne scars, with an excellent safety and tolerability profile. These findings support the potential of polynucleotide-based therapies for use as welltolerated options for managing moderate-to-severe atrophic acne scarring, while the need for further controlled studies to confirm efficacy is also acknowledged....
Skin hyperpigmentation is primarily regulated by melanogenesis, in which tyrosinase and related enzymes play pivotal roles. Probiotics have recently been attracting attention as a cosmetic ingredient due to their skin-friendly and eco-friendly properties. In particular, microbial metabolites, known as postbiotics, are gaining attention for their superior safety, stability, and efficacy compared with probiotics. In this study, we investigated the whitening effect and molecular mechanisms of phenyllactic acid (PLA), a metabolite derived from Limosilactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri) culture broth. In B16F10 melanoma cells, the effects of PLA were evaluated by measuring melanin content, cellular tyrosinase activity, enzyme kinetics, and the expression of melanogenesis-related proteins. PLA significantly inhibited melanin production and cellular tyrosinase activity in α-MSH–stimulated B16F10 melanoma cells without inducing cytotoxicity. PLA downregulated tyrosinase-related proteins such as TRP-1 and TRP-2, and competitively inhibited tyrosinase. The inhibition constants (Ki) for L-tyrosine and L-DOPA were 12.63 mM and 0.68 mM, respectively. These findings suggest that PLA, a postbiotic derived from lactic acid bacteria, may serve as a safe and effective whitening ingredient, providing a scientific basis for the development of functional skin-whitening cosmetics....
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