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Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) are very potential formulations for topical delivery of antifungal drugs. Hence, the purpose of this research was to formulate the well-known antifungal agent Fluconazole (FLZ)-loaded SLNs topical gel to improve its efficiency for treatment of Pityriasis Versicolor (PV). FLZ-SLNs were prepared by modified high shear homogenization and ultrasonication method using different concentration of solid lipid (Compritol 888 ATO, Precirol ATO5) and surfactant (Cremophor RH40, Poloxamer 407). The physicochemical properties and the in vitro release study for all FLZ-SLNs were investigated. Furthermore, the optimized FLZ-SLN formula was incorporated into gel using Carpobol 934. A randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) of potential batches was carried out on 30 well diagnosed PV patients comparing to market product Candistan ® 1% cream. Follow up was done for 4 weeks by clinical and KOH examinations. The results showed that FlZ-SLNs were almost spherical shape having colloidal sizes with no aggregation. The drug entrapment efficiency ranged from 55.49% to 83.04%. The zeta potential values lie between −21 and −33 mV presenting good stability. FLZ showed prolonged in vitro release from SLNs dispersion and its Carbapol gel following Higuchi order equation. Clinical studies registered significant improvement (p < .05) in therapeutic response (1.4-fold; healing%, 4-fold; complete eradication) in terms of clinical cure and mycological cure rate from PV against marketed cream. Findings of the study suggest that the developed FLZ loaded SLNs topical gels have superior significant fast therapeutic index in treatment of PV over commercially available Candistan ® cream.

Background Psoriasis is a prevalent autoimmune skin disorder; however, the mechanism of its pathogenesis remains fully understood. The imbalance of regulatory T (T reg ) cells and effector T cells represents one potential mechanism, where a low dose of IL-2 is important. Aim of the work Given that IL-2/IL-12 complex is considered as an immune modulator for antigen-activated lymphocyte proliferation, this study aimed to compare the immunophenotypic, clinical, and histological effects of anti-IL-2/IL-2 complex to a low dose of free IL-2 on experimental psoriasis-like skin inflammation induced by imiquimod. Materials and methods Thirty-five Balb/c male mice were left without treatment, or were received topical application of imiquimod (IMQ, 3.125 mg/mouse) to induce psoriasis-like skin inflammation, and then the mice were treated with intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of 100 µL containing anti-IL-2/IL-2 complex (2.5 µg /0.5 µg/mouse), or topical steroids (62.50 mg/mouse), or low dose of free IL-2 (i.p.; 0.5 µg/mouse). The expression levels of CD4, CD25, and Foxp3 in the leukocytes were assessed by multiparametric flow cytometry. The effects of different treatments on the histology and pathology of the induced psoriasis were also assessed. Results IMQ-induced hyperkeratosis, parakeratosis and mild papillomatosis with the retained nuclei in the keratin layer, whereas acanthosis with exocytosis was prominent in the epidermal layer. Lymphocyte infiltration was profusely all over the dermis. Additionally, there were some degrees of Munro micro abscesses were observed in the keratin layer with a collection of neutrophils in the group treated with standard betamethasone cream which showed mild improvement clinically, histopathological with no significant difference between this group and the naïve and positive control groups. After 7 days from the onset of treatment, we found that treatment of mice with anti-IL-2/IL-2 complex decreased the thickness of the epiderms as compared to their groups. Furthermore, the relative number of CD4 + Foxp3 + CD25 +  cells showed increases in psoriasis mice treated with anti-IL-2/IL-2 complex as compared to other groups. In conclusion Anti IL-2/IL-2 complex therapy effectively ameliorated the clinical manifestations of psoriasis, with no apparent side effects, providing a new strategy for treating psoriasis.

Background: Vitiligo is a chronic, progressive skin disorder characterized by the development of sharply demarcated depigmented patches due to the loss of melanocytes. Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune condition that presents with sudden, non-scarring hair loss affecting the scalp or other body areas. Objective: To evaluate serum granulysin (GNLY) levels in patients with vitiligo and AA to explore its potential role in the pathogenesis and activity of both diseases. Methods: A total of 80 participants were included: 65 patients and 15 healthy controls. Patients were divided into four groups: active vitiligo (n = 25), stable vitiligo (n = 25), active AA (n = 15), and a control group (n = 15). Serum GNLY levels were measured and analyzed in relation to clinical and dermoscopic features. Results: No significant correlation was found between GNLY levels and either age or Vitiligo Area Scoring Index in vitiligo patients. However, serum GNLY levels showed a significant association with the Vitiligo Disease Activity score. GNLY levels did not correlate with sex or the starburst pattern. In contrast, significant associations were found between elevated GNLY levels and dermoscopic signs of activity, including ill-defined lesion borders, satellite lesions, perifollicular pigmentation, and loss of pigment network. Both vitiligo and AA patients exhibited significantly higher GNLY levels than controls, with the highest concentrations observed in the active vitiligo group. Conclusions: The significant rise in serum GNLY levels in vitiligo and AA suggests a pathogenic role, with higher levels in active vitiligo indicating its potential utility as a biomarker for monitoring disease activity.

Melasma is a chronic, dark brown–pigmented patches and macules commonly on the face. Many treatment modalities for melasma have been used as hydroquinone, laser treatment, and recently tranexamic acid. Dermoscopy is used to diagnose and follow up the treatment of melasma and to detect underlying invisible vessels and their change with treatment. Melasma treatment evaluation by using combined Q-switched Nd:YAG laser with intradermal tranexamic acid injection versus tranexamic acid intradermal injection alone. This study was conducted on 40 female patients aged 35–45 years. It was a split-face study; for 12 weeks, the right side of the face was treated with low fluence Q-switched Nd:YAG laser combined with intradermal injection of tranexamic acid, while the left side was treated with an injection of tranexamic acid intradermal alone. The patients were clinically evaluated by using the modified melasma area and severity index (mMASI) score, and underwent dermoscopic evaluation before treatment, at the end of the treatment (12 weeks), and at (24 weeks) as follow-up. The efficacy, adverse effects, and recurrence after treatment were reported. There was a statistically significant decrease in mMASI score with combination treatment than with intradermal injection of tranexamic acid alone after treatment at 12 weeks and at the end of follow-up at 24 weeks. Combination of an injection of tranexamic acid intradermal and low fluence Q-switched Nd:YAG laser is an effective and safe treatment for melasma with minimal side effects more than the intradermal tranexamic acid injection alone.

Psoriasis is a prevalent autoimmune skin disorder; however, the mechanism of its pathogenesis remains fully understood. The imbalance of regulatory T (T ) cells and effector T cells represents one potential mechanism, where a low dose of IL-2 is important. Given that IL-2/IL-12 complex is considered as an immune modulator for antigen-activated lymphocyte proliferation, this study aimed to compare the immunophenotypic, clinical, and histological effects of anti-IL-2/IL-2 complex to a low dose of free IL-2 on experimental psoriasis-like skin inflammation induced by imiquimod. Thirty-five Balb/c male mice were left without treatment, or were received topical application of imiquimod (IMQ, 3.125 mg/mouse) to induce psoriasis-like skin inflammation, and then the mice were treated with intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of 100 µL containing anti-IL-2/IL-2 complex (2.5 µg /0.5 µg/mouse), or topical steroids (62.50 mg/mouse), or low dose of free IL-2 (i.p.; 0.5 µg/mouse). The expression levels of CD4, CD25, and Foxp3 in the leukocytes were assessed by multiparametric flow cytometry. The effects of different treatments on the histology and pathology of the induced psoriasis were also assessed. IMQ-induced hyperkeratosis, parakeratosis and mild papillomatosis with the retained nuclei in the keratin layer, whereas acanthosis with exocytosis was prominent in the epidermal layer. Lymphocyte infiltration was profusely all over the dermis. Additionally, there were some degrees of Munro micro abscesses were observed in the keratin layer with a collection of neutrophils in the group treated with standard betamethasone cream which showed mild improvement clinically, histopathological with no significant difference between this group and the naïve and positive control groups. After 7 days from the onset of treatment, we found that treatment of mice with anti-IL-2/IL-2 complex decreased the thickness of the epiderms as compared to their groups. Furthermore, the relative number of CD4 Foxp3 CD25  cells showed increases in psoriasis mice treated with anti-IL-2/IL-2 complex as compared to other groups. Anti IL-2/IL-2 complex therapy effectively ameliorated the clinical manifestations of psoriasis, with no apparent side effects, providing a new strategy for treating psoriasis.