Interleukin 6 (IL-6), a cytokine produced by various cells of the human body (macrophages, lymphocytes, astrocytes, ischemic myocytes, endothelial cells) has both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory properties, being a key component in regulating various physiologic and pathological processes. The structure of this molecule and the receptor system it possesses are important due to the different activities that IL-6 can exert; through trans-signaling pro-inflammatory activities are mediated, while through classic signaling, IL-6 is responsible for anti-inflammatory and regenerative activities. IL-6 signaling is involved in coronary artery disease and the global COVID-19 pandemic. This proatherogenic cytokine reaches elevated serum levels in the cytokine storm generated by SARS-CoV-2, and is also associated with smoking or obesity-classic cardiovascular risk factors which promote inflammatory states. IL-6 levels are proportionally correlated with dyslipidemia, hypertension and glucose dysregulation, and they are associated with poor outcomes in patients with unstable angina or acute myocardial infarction. IL-6 targeting for treatment development (not only) in cardiovascular disease and COVID-19 is still a matter of ongoing research, although tocilizumab has proven to be effective in reducing the proatherogenic effects of IL-6 and is suggested to improve COVID-19 patient survival.

Although vitiligo is one of the most frequently occurring depigmentary disorder, its pathophysiology is still not fully clarified, resulting in the incapacity to find a targeted cure. Most of the treatment options available at the time have an anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive effect, influencing the immune factor in vitiligo but without having a direct effect on melanocyte differentiation, migration or proliferation. This study shows that Piper nigrum (PN) extract and its main alkaloid, piperine, promote melanocyte proliferation in vivo, being consistent with previous study. A PN fruit extract and pure piperine were integrated in two different ointments and tested on human subjects affected by vitiligo. A number of 9 areas were treated: 3 using the extract, 3 using pure piperine, 1 using travoprost solution, and 2 using an association of travoprost (prostaglandin F2α analogue) solution and our products. Pigmentation was achieved in all the treated areas. The extract caused faster and more remarkable results than the pure piperine. The association of the travoprost solution speed up the process and changed the pigmentation pattern, especially when associated with the PN extract. Our early studies suggest that PN extract may represent, in the future, a new treatment option for vitiligo, especially considering the mild side effects of the tested products and the reduced amount of time needed for repigmentation. However, more studies are needed to validate this experimental data.

The present paper is a review on hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic frequently used in therapeutics, also underlining several particularities observed in time and correlated with the results in the literature in what concerns the phototoxic action of this diuretic on skin.

The present paper aims to review an important class of medicine widely used in the therapy of hypercholesterolemia, namely statins. We have presented the main adverse reactions and the relation between statins and non-melanoma skin cancer, which we consider to be a novel element in the area of possible adverse reactions.

This paper aimed at the preparation and characterisation of an extractive solution of Kombucha. We have applied the method of water extraction of a species of yeast, Kombucha, grown and proliferated in the pharmaceutical technology laboratory of the Faculty of Pharmacy at Dunarea de Jos University of Galati. Samples of various sugar concentrations have been prepared, as well as samples subject to concentration, thus obtaining extracts of up to 80% concentration. The extract obtained was analysed chemically and microbiologically. The main elements highlighted in the composition of the extractive solution were: iron, zinc, magnesium, calcium and potassium. The antimicrobial activity in strains: Gram-positive: Staphylococcus aureus, Gram-negative: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia Coli, fungi: Candida albicans.