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Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol. 2008 May; 30(4): 277-85
Ali J, Akhtar N, Sultana Y, Baboota S, Ahuja A

The aim of this study was to investigate and evaluate a microemulsion gel-based system of babchi oil (Psoralea corylifolia) for the treatment of psoriasis, which could provide improved permeation of the drug through the skin and increased patient compliance. Babchi oil is used because its chief constituent psoralen is a photoactive furocoumarin that binds to DNA when exposed to UV light to form photoproducts with pyrimidine base. This action inhibits DNA synthesis and causes decrease in cell proliferation. Moreover, babchi oil, in addition to providing psoralen, also acts as an oily phase for microemulsion system. The presence of surfactant and cosurfactant increases the permeation. On the basis of qualitative and quantitative estimation of all eight brands of babchi oil, Bakuchi Tail was selected for microemulsion formulation. Microemulsions were prepared by aqueous phase-titration method. Pseudoternary phase diagrams were constructed for the identification of microemulsion existence zones. Prepared microemulsions were subjected to different thermodynamic stability tests and characterized for droplet size, viscosity and refractive index. In vitro skin permeation of babchi oil through rat abdominal skin was determined by the Franz diffusion cell. The in vitro skin permeation profile of formulation F2, which consisted of 1.67% v/v of babchi oil, 8.33% v/v of oleic acid, S(mix) 55% v/v of Tween 80 Transcutol-P (S/Co ratio 1:1) and 35% v/v of distilled water, was significant when compared with other microemulsion formulations (p < 0.05). Formulation F2 was converted into microemulsion gel by adding 1% Carbopol-940 and coded as MGF2. Formulation MGF2 was selected for its in vivo antiinflammatory effects determined by footpad edema. The results suggested that microemulsion gel is a potential vehicle for improved topical delivery of psoralen and that microemulsion gels are potential vehicles for improved topical delivery of babchi oil.
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J Zhejiang Univ Sci B. 2009 Jan; 10(1): 57-66
Wang YN, Fang H, Zhu WF

OBJECTIVE: To investigate cutaneous aging patterns of residents in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China, and their contributing factors. METHODS: Eight hundred and forty-eight Hangzhou residents received the survey between March 2004 and September 2004. RESULTS: Facial wrinkling first occurred at 21 years of age and skin elasticity began to lose at 22 years of age. In middle-aged and old people, facial wrinkling and looseness escalated with the increase of ultraviolet (UV)-exposure time, indicating the accelerating effect of a higher accumulative dose of UV radiation on skin aging. Only Fitzpatrick types II, III and IV were found in the skin phototypes of residents in Hangzhou area, and Fitzpatrick type II seemed to be much more subject to severe wrinkling, elasticity destruction and skin tumors than types III and IV. The oily skin was more protected against wrinkling and facial looseness than dry skin. However, as to concomitant cutaneous diseases, no difference was found among different skin types. CONCLUSION: Age, solar-exposure time, Fitzpatrick type and skin type are the associated forces in promoting skin aging, and emotional factor seems to be another independent risk factor. The age of 49 years and 2 h/d of solar-exposure time seem to be the turning points responsible for dramatic changes of cutaneous appearance in the process of skin aging in Southeast China.
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Am J Clin Nutr. 2009 Apr; 89(4): 1246-55
Hughes MC, Williams GM, Fourtanier A, Green AC

BACKGROUND: Actinic keratoses (AKs) are premalignant actinic tumors of the skin. Evaluation of the role of diet in their development is lacking. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to determine whether intake of certain food groups or dietary patterns retard the occurrence of AKs over a 4.5-y period. DESIGN: In a community-based study of skin cancer in Queensland, Australia, food intake of 1119 adults was assessed in 1992, 1994, and 1996 by using a validated food-frequency questionnaire. Dermatologists counted prevalent AKs during full-body skin examinations in 1992 and 1996. The relative ratio (RR) of AK counts in 1996 relative to 1992 was compared across increasing intakes of 26 food groups, and for 3 dietary patterns identified by principal components analysis, with the use of generalized linear models with negative binomial distribution, allowing for repeated measures. All analyses were adjusted for confounding factors, including skin color and sun exposure indexes. RESULTS: AK acquisition decreased by 28% (RR: 0.72; 95% CI: 0.55, 0.95) among the highest consumers of oily fish (average of one serving every 5 d) compared with those with minimal intake. Similarly, the rate of acquisition of AKs was reduced by 27% (RR: 0.73; 95% CI: 0.54, 0.99) in those with the highest consumption of wine (average of half a glass a day in this study population). There was no consistent association of dietary pattern with AK acquisition. CONCLUSION: Moderate intake of oily fish and of wine may decrease the acquisition of AKs and thus complement sun protection measures in the control of actinic skin tumors.
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J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2009 Apr; 23(4): 376-81
Misery L, Boussetta S, Nocera T, Perez-Cullell N, Taieb C

INTRODUCTION: Sensitive skin appears as a very frequent condition, but there is no comparative data between countries. OBJECTIVES: To perform an epidemiological approach to skin sensitivity in different European countries. METHODS: An opinion poll was conducted in eight European countries: Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland. This sample (4506 persons) was drawn from a representative sample of each population aged 15 years or older. RESULTS: Sensitive or very sensitive skin was declared by 38.4% and slightly or not sensitive skin by 61.6%. Women declared more sensitive skin than men. A dermatological disease was declared by 31.2% of people with very sensitive skin, 17.6% of those with sensitive skin, 8.7% of those with slightly sensitive skin and 3.7% of those who do not have sensitive skin. A history of childhood atopic dermatitis was more frequent in patients with sensitive or very sensitive skin. The interviewees who declared that they had dry or oily skin also reported significantly more frequently sensitive or very sensitive skin than those with normal skin. Sensitive and very sensitive skins were clearly more frequent in Italy and France. DISCUSSION: This study is the first study that compares skin sensitivity in European countries. Prevalence is high, but significant differences are noted between these countries. Dermatological antecedents (or treatments?) could be involved in the occurrence of skin sensitivity.
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