Androgenic alopecia is a common type of hair loss, usually caused by testosterone metabolism generating dihydrotestosterone and hair follicular micro-inflammation. These processes induce dermal papilla cells to undergo apoptosis. Currently approved effective medications for alopecia are Finasteride, an oral 5α-reductase inhibitor, Minoxidil, a topical hair growth promoter, and Diclofenac, an anti-inflammatory agent, all of which, however, have several adverse side effects. In our study, we showed the bioactivity of Acanthus ebracteatus Vahl. (AE) extract performed by 95% ethanol, and verbascoside (VB), a biomarker of AE extract. Both AE extract and VB were studied for their effects on dermal papilla cell viability and the cell cycle by using MTT assay and flow cytometry. The effect of an anti-inflammatory activity of AE extract and VB on IL-1β, NO, and TNF-α, released from LPS induced RAW 264.7 cells, and IL-1α and IL-6 released from irradiated dermal papilla cells were detected using ELISA technique. The preventive effect on dermal papilla cell apoptosis induced by testosterone was determined by MTT assay. In controlled in vitro assays it was found that AE extract and VB at various concentrations induced dermal papilla cell proliferation which was indicated by an increase in the number of cells in the S and G2/M phases of the cell cycle. AE extract at 250 µg/mL concentration or VB at 62.50 µg/mL concentration prevented cell apoptosis induced by testosterone at a statistically significant level. In addition, both AE extract and VB greatly inhibited the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines from RAW 264.7 and dermal papilla cells. The release of IL-1β, TNF-α, and NO from RAW 264.7 cells, as well as IL-1α and IL-6 from dermal papilla cells, was also diminished by AE extract 250 µg/mL and VB 125 µg/mL. Our results indicate that AE extract and VB are promising ingredients for anti-hair loss applications. However, further clinical study is necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of AE extract and VB as treatment for actual hair loss.
Thermal degradation of verbascoside (VB) in Acanthus ebracteatus Vahl (AE) always affects its health benefit. Here the temperature effect on VB in both AE extract and solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs)-encapsulated AE extract was demonstrated using the Arrhenius plot. The reaction rate constants were calculated for shelf life and plotted to obtain pH−rate profiles. VB degradation was a first-order reaction. The reaction rate in a neutral to alkaline solution was faster than in an acidic solution. VB in AE extract-loaded SLNs was more stable than in uncapped AE extract. The shelf life of VB in SLNs was 153 days with activation energy (E a ) of 76.16 kJ mol −1 , whereas those of VB in AE extract and in AE extract solution were 75 days with E a = 78.03 kJ mol −1 and 12 days with E a = 49.24 kJ mol −1 , respectively. Therefore, we anticipate that the AE extract-loaded SLNs will be beneficial for product development.
Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of Plai oil for treating myofascial pain syndrome.Material and Methods: One hundred and fourteen volunteers with muscle pain from myofascial pain syndrome participated in the study and had Plai oil, placebo oil and diclofenac gel applied to their shoulder and neck for 6 days. Clinical evaluation was determined using visual analogue scales, pressure threshold and cervical range of motion of neck flexion and neck extension measurements.Results: The results showed that the visual analogue scales of the 3 groups were significantly different from the baseline. The pressure threshold also increased significantly from the baseline (3.87±1.36) in the volunteers who applied Plai oil (4.42±1.34) and those who applied diclofenac gel (4.35±1.06). However, the results of treatment and placebo groups at the last follow-up were not significantly different. Interestingly, it was observed that Plai oil and placebo oil significantly increased the angle of neck flexion and extension within 3 days of application. Muscle pain treatment with Plai oil resulted in a good outcome that was no different to the outcome of applying the diclofenac gel and placebo.Conclusion: It was demonstrated that Plai oil is as effective for relieving myofascial pain as 1.0% diclofenac gel.The interpreted results of muscle pain are not fully clarified due to placebo effect and other influencing parameters. However, Plai oil also decreased muscle tension and improved the restricted range of motion. We can recommend that Plai oil can be used as an alternative topical application for muscle pain treatment.
Introduction Miniaturization of the hair follicles is evident on the balding scalp. Approved medications, topical minoxidil, and oral finasteride for the treatment of alopecia sometimes come with undesirable adverse effects. The study was to examine the bioactivity of medicinal plants for finding the promising source of anti‐hair loss application. Methods Ten ethanolic extracts were prepared from Acacia concina (Willd.) DC., Acanthus ebracteatus Vahl, Bridelia ovata Decne, Cleome viscosa L., Cocos nucifera L., Hibiscus subdariffla L., Oryza sativa L., Terminalia chebula Retz., Tinospora crispa (L.) Hook. f. & Thomson and cytotoxic tested on dermal papilla cells using MTT assay. The effect of the extracts on cell cycle was also determined using flow cytometry technique. Anti‐inflammatory activity was examined by determining IL‐1β inhibition in RAW 257.4 cells. In vitro study of androgenic and 5α‐reductase inhibitory activities were also determined using MTT assay and enzymatic reaction couple with liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS), respectively. Results Our results revealed that only A. ebracteatus promoted dermal papilla cell proliferation and the S and G2/M phases in cell cycle. A. ebracteatus also showed inhibitory activity against 5α‐reductase and testosterone in reducing cell viability of the dermal papilla. Moreover, A. ebracteatus extract strongly inhibited LPS‐stimulating IL‐1β production in RAW 264.7 cells in a dose‐dependent manner. Conclusion Our finding indicated that the ethanolic extract of A. ebracteatus is a promising candidate for anti‐hair loss treatment.
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