Based on the previous study of compound liquorice microemulsion, this paper aims to prepare the compound liquorice microemulsion gel and investigate its pharmacodynamics of chronic eczema. The type, dosage and adding method of gel matrix, and formula dosage of humectant were optimized by single factor method to obtain the formula and preparation technique of the gel. With glycyrrhizic acid, glycyrrhetin and oxymatrine used as evaluation indexes, the Franz diffusion cell method was adopted to monitor the in vitro release profile of the gel. Eczema model of delayed-type hypersensitivity in mice was chosen to detect the ear swelling rate, degree of inflammatory cell infiltration of ear pieces, and pathological changes of ear pieces, so as to investigate the therapeutic effect of the microemulsion gel. The preparation process of the compound liquorice microemulsion gel was stable. The release of glycyrrhizin and oxymatrine was most consistent with the Hixcon-Crowell kinetic model, while the release of glycyrrhizic acid was most consistent with the Ritger-Peppas kinetic model. The pharmacodynamics studies proved that compound liquorice microemulsion gel could significantly reduce the ear swelling rate in mice, with good anti-inflammatory effect as well as the ability to resist the pathological changes of chronic eczema and inhibit the infiltration of dermal inflammatory cells. Therefore, the preparation process of compound liquorice microemulsion gel is feasible, with stable drug release and a significant therapeutic effect on chronic eczema.
Administration, Cutaneous ; Animals ; Drug Liberation ; Emulsions ; Gels ; Glycyrrhiza ; Mice ; Skin Absorption

To evaluate the traits and rheological properties of thermosensitive in situ gel of Yihuang Decoction and its common gel for vaginal use, and predict the release behavior of Yihuang Decoction in situ gel in vitro. Poloxamer was used as thermosensitive material to prepare Yihuang Decoction vaginal in situ gel, and Yihuang Decoction common gel was prepared with carbopol. Then the differences of the two gels before and after diluting with vaginal fluid were compared. The rheological parameters of Yihuang Decoction in situ gel and its common gel were determined with Anton Paar MCR102 rheometer. In addition, berberine hydrochloride was selected as an index component to evaluate the in vitro release properties of Yihuang Decoction vaginal thermosensitive in situ gel. Yihuang Decoction vaginal thermosensitive in situ gel was Newtonian fluid under low-temperature conditions, which was yellow and transparent. After reaching the gelling temperature of 24.5 ℃, it became semi-solid, pseudoplastic fluid. The gelling temperature was predicted to be 37 ℃, and the phase transition time was 30 s after diluting with simulated vaginal fluid. However, the rheological properties of Yihuang Decoction common gel had no significant changes with temperature. Compared with in situ gel, the color of common gel was darker and more translucent. Besides, its mobility was stronger after diluting with simulated vaginal fluid. The in vitro release study showed that the kinetic behavior of berberine hydrochloride in Yihuang Decoction vaginal thermosensitive in situ gel was matched with the Higuchi equation. Through simulation of vaginal administration, physical properties and dynamic rheological parameters were used to intuitively and scientifically evaluate the two gels. Compared with the common gel, the thermosensitive in situ gel could quickly attached to the vaginal mucosa and release drug, and thus was more suitable for developing vaginal administration of Yihuang Decoction, which also provides references for studying new vaginal preparation of Yihuang Decoction.
Administration, Intravaginal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Female ; Gels/chemistry* ; Humans ; Poloxamer ; Rheology ; Temperature ; Viscosity

Functional soft candy of traditional Chinese medicine( TCM) can be used to supplement vitamins,enhance immunity,assist in lowering blood sugar,assist in lowering blood lipid,assist in lowering blood pressure,relax the bowel,reduce weight and fight againstoxidation.It has attracted much attention due to its effective improvement in the bad taste and incompatibility of traditional medicines.TCM functional soft candy and health food made by gel,sweetener and Chinese herbal medicines( which can be used both as food and medicine) approved by the State Food and Drug Administration were selected as the research objects in this paper.We combed and analyzed the research situation of health food dosage forms and effects,the functional factors of TCM functional soft candy,gelatin,sweetener,production process,and quality evaluation,etc.,and then,we discussed their existing problems and development prospects.After reviewing the relevant literature on TCM functional soft candy and health food researches published in recent years,we analyzed and summarized their dosage forms,health effects,gels,sweeteners,production process,quality evaluation and safety.The following problems in the research of TCM functional soft candy were pointed out: for examples,differences in the sensory evaluation of soft candy;whether the combination of several similar gels and sweeteners had an effect on human health; the lack of laws and regulations in health foods and the lack of uniform standards for quality evaluation.In summary,TCM functional soft candy is a new type of health food,which changes the dosage form of health food based on capsules and tablets.This move conforms to the physiological and psychological needs of consumers.Therefore,it is in line with the requirement of " Health China 2030" Planning Outline.
Candy ; China ; Dosage Forms ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Food ; Gels ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Reference Standards

Objective: To investigate the clinical effect of 0.02% clobetasol propionate cream (CPC) on phimosis in prepubertal children. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data about 237 prepubertal children with phimosis present at the Outpatient Department from June 2012 to December 2015. The patients were aged 2－14 (mean 8.6) years, all treated by topical application of 0.02% CPC to the narrowed opening and adhered part of the foreskin twice a day, in the morning and evening respectively. At the time of CPC application, the foreskin was slightly retracted. We evaluated the therapeutic effect every week from the end of the first week of treatment. RESULTS: Totally, 233 of the patients completed the 8-week treatment, of whom 181 (77.68%) showed full retraction of the foreskin, 28 (12.01%) experienced improvement (disappearance of the phimotic ring), and 24 (10.30%) failed to respond, with a total effectiveness rate of 89.70%. No significant local or systemic adverse reactions were observed during the treatment. CONCLUSIONS Topical application of 0.02% Clobetasol Propionate Cream is a safe, effective, painless, and inexpensive option for the treatment of phimosis in prepubertal chilodren.
Administration, Topical ; Adolescent ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; administration & dosage ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Clobetasol ; administration & dosage ; Foreskin ; Gels ; Humans ; Male ; Outpatients ; Phimosis ; drug therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of skin wound induction gel on the glans scabbing rate, class-A wound healing rate, and wound healing time of circumcision for phimosis in pediatric patients.

METHODSWe randomly assigned 48 six to thirteen years old children with phimosis to an experimental group (n = 25) and a control group (n = 23) to be treated by circumcision. After surgery, the patients in the experimental group received application of skin wound induction gel while those in the control group received that of povidone iodine only to the glans and incision. We recorded and compared the glans scabbing rate, class-A wound healing rate, and wound healing time between the two groups of patients.

RESULTSGlans scabbing was observed in 3 cases in the experimental group and 17 cases in the control group (12.0% vs 73.9%, P < 0.01). No statistically significant differences were found in the rate of class-A wound healing between the two groups (100% vs 91.3%, P > 0.05). The wound healing time was significantly shorter in the experimental than in the control group ([10.7 ± 1.7] d vs [11.9 ± 2.1] d, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPost-circumcision application of skin wound induction gel to the glans and incision can effectively reduce glans secreta, alleviate inflammatory reaction, and shorten the healing time in the treatment of phimosis in children.

Adolescent ; Child ; Circumcision, Male ; Gels ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Induction Chemotherapy ; methods ; Inflammation ; prevention & control ; Male ; Phimosis ; drug therapy ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Wound Healing ; drug effects

Phytantriol (PT), ethanol (ET) and water were used to prepare in situ cubic liquid crystal (ISV2). The pseudo-ternary phase diagram of PT-ET-water was constructed and isotropic solution formulations were chosen for further optimization. The physicochemical properties of isotropic solution formulations were evaluated to optimize the composition of ISV2. In situ hexagonal liquid crystals (ISH2) were prepared based on the composition of ISV2 with the addition of vitamin E acetate (VitEA) and the amount of VitEA was optimized by in vitro release behavior. The phase structures of liquid crystalline gels formed by ISV2 and ISH2 in excess water were confirmed by crossed polarized light microscopy and small angle X-ray scattering, respectively. Rheological properties of ISV2 and ISH2 were studied by a DHR-2 rheometer. In vitro drug release studies were conducted by using a dialysis membrane diffusion method. Pharmacokinetics was investigated by determination of sinomenine hydrochloride (SMH) concentration in synovial membrane after intra-articular injection of SMH-loaded ISH2 in adjuvant-induced arthritis rats. The optimal ISV2 (PT/ET/water, 64 : 16 : 20, w/w/w) loaded with 6 mg x g(-1) of SMH showed a suitable pH, injectable and formed a cubic liquid crystalline gel in situ with minimum water absorption in the shortest time. The optimal ISV2 was able to sustain the drug release for 144 h. The optimal ISH2 system was prepared by addition of 5% VitEA into PT in the optimal ISV2 system. This ISH2 (PT/VitEA/ET/water, 60.8 : 3.2 : 16 : 20, w/w/w/w) was an injectable isotropic solution with suitable pH. The new ISH2 was able to sustain the drug release for more than 240 h. Local pharmacokinetics study indicated that the retention time and AUC(0-∞) of ISH2 group were increased significantly compared with that of SMH solution group and the AUC(0-∞) of ISH2 group was 6.01 times higher than that of SMH solution group. The developed ISH2 was suitable for intra-articular injection that may apply to patients in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Animals ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Diffusion ; Ethanol ; Fatty Alcohols ; Gels ; Injections, Intra-Articular ; Liquid Crystals ; Morphinans ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rheology ; Water ; alpha-Tocopherol

Topical anesthetics act on the peripheral nerves and reduce the sensation of pain at the site of application. In dentistry, they are used to control local pain caused by needling, placement of orthodontic bands, the vomiting reflex, oral mucositis, and rubber-dam clamp placement. Traditional topical anesthetics contain lidocaine or benzocaine as active ingredients and are used in the form of solutions, creams, gels, and sprays. Eutectic mixtures of local anesthesia cream, a mixture of various topical anesthetics, has been reported to be more potent than other anesthetics. Recently, new products with modified ingredients and application methods have been introduced into the market. These products may be used for mild pain during periodontal treatment, such as scaling. Dentists should be aware that topical anesthetics, although rare, might induce allergic reactions or side effects as a result of an overdose. Topical anesthetics are useful aids during dental treatment, as they reduce dental phobia, especially in children, by mitigating discomfort and pain.
Administration, Topical ; Anesthesia* ; Anesthesia, Local ; Anesthetics ; Benzocaine ; Child ; Dental Anxiety ; Dentistry ; Dentists ; Gels ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Lidocaine ; Peripheral Nerves ; Reflex ; Sensation ; Stomatitis ; Vomiting

Capsular fibrosis and contracture occurs in most breast reconstruction patients who undergo radiotherapy, and there is no definitive solution for its prevention. Simvastatin was effective at reducing fibrosis in various models. Peri-implant capsular formation is the result of tissue fibrosis development in irradiated breasts. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of simvastatin on peri-implant fibrosis in rats. Eighteen male Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated to an experimental group (9 rats, 18 implants) or a control group (9 rats, 18 implants). Two hemispherical silicone implants, 10 mm in diameter, were inserted in subpanniculus pockets in each rat. The next day, 10-Gy of radiation from a clinical accelerator was targeted at the implants. Simvastatin (15 mg/kg/day) was administered by oral gavage in the experimental group, while animals in the control group received water. At 12 weeks post-implantation, peri-implant capsules were harvested and examined histologically and by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The average capsular thickness was 371.2 μm in the simvastatin group and 491.2 μm in the control group. The fibrosis ratio was significantly different, with 32.33% in the simvastatin group and 58.44% in the control group (P < 0.001). Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 gene expression decreased significantly in the simvastatin group compared to the control group (P < 0.001). This study shows that simvastatin reduces radiation-induced capsular fibrosis around silicone implants in rats. This finding offers an alternative therapeutic strategy for reducing capsular fibrosis and contracture after implant-based breast reconstruction.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Breast/*drug effects/metabolism/pathology/radiation effects ; *Breast Implants ; Connective Tissue Growth Factor/genetics/metabolism ; Fibrosis ; Gamma Rays ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Silicone Gels/*chemistry ; Simvastatin/*pharmacology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/metabolism

Capsular fibrosis and contracture occurs in most breast reconstruction patients who undergo radiotherapy, and there is no definitive solution for its prevention. Simvastatin was effective at reducing fibrosis in various models. Peri-implant capsular formation is the result of tissue fibrosis development in irradiated breasts. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of simvastatin on peri-implant fibrosis in rats. Eighteen male Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated to an experimental group (9 rats, 18 implants) or a control group (9 rats, 18 implants). Two hemispherical silicone implants, 10 mm in diameter, were inserted in subpanniculus pockets in each rat. The next day, 10-Gy of radiation from a clinical accelerator was targeted at the implants. Simvastatin (15 mg/kg/day) was administered by oral gavage in the experimental group, while animals in the control group received water. At 12 weeks post-implantation, peri-implant capsules were harvested and examined histologically and by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The average capsular thickness was 371.2 μm in the simvastatin group and 491.2 μm in the control group. The fibrosis ratio was significantly different, with 32.33% in the simvastatin group and 58.44% in the control group (P < 0.001). Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 gene expression decreased significantly in the simvastatin group compared to the control group (P < 0.001). This study shows that simvastatin reduces radiation-induced capsular fibrosis around silicone implants in rats. This finding offers an alternative therapeutic strategy for reducing capsular fibrosis and contracture after implant-based breast reconstruction.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Breast/*drug effects/metabolism/pathology/radiation effects ; *Breast Implants ; Connective Tissue Growth Factor/genetics/metabolism ; Fibrosis ; Gamma Rays ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Silicone Gels/*chemistry ; Simvastatin/*pharmacology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/metabolism

The effect of topical propranolol gel on the levels of plasma renin, angiotensin II (ATII) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in superficial infantile hemangiomas (IHs) was investigated. Thirty-three consecutive children with superficial IHs were observed pre-treatment, 1 and 3 months after application of topical propranolol gel for the levels of plasma renin, ATII and VEGF in Department of General Surgery of Dongfang Hospital from February 2013 to February 2014. The plasma results of IHs were compared with those of 30 healthy infants of the same age from out-patient department. The clinical efficiency of topical propranolol gel at 1st, and 3rd month after application was 45%, and 82% respectively. The levels of plasma renin, ATII and VEGF in patients pre-treatment were higher than those in healthy infants (565.86 ± 49.66 vs. 18.19 ± 3.56, 3.20 ± 0.39 vs 0.30 ± 0.03, and 362.16 ± 27.29 vs. 85.63 ± 8.14, P < 0.05). The concentrations of VEGF and renin at 1st and 3rd month after treatment were decreased obviously as compared with those pre-treatment (271.51 ± 18.59 vs. 362.16 ± 27.29, and 405.18 ± 42.52 vs. 565.86 ± 49.66 P < 0.05; 240.80 ± 19.89 vs. 362.16 ± 27.29, and 325.90 ± 35.78 vs. 565.86 ± 49.66, P < 0.05, respectively), but the levels of plasma ATII declined slightly (2.96 ± 0.37 vs. 3.20 ± 0.39, and 2.47 ± 0.27 vs. 3.20 ± 0.39, P > 0.05). It was indicated that the increased renin, ATII and VEGF might play a role in the onset or development of IHs. Propranolol gel may suppress the proliferation of IHs by reducing VEGF.
Administration, Cutaneous ; Adrenergic beta-Antagonists ; therapeutic use ; Angiotensin II ; blood ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Gels ; Hemangioma, Capillary ; blood ; blood supply ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Propranolol ; therapeutic use ; Renin ; blood ; Skin Neoplasms ; blood ; blood supply ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Treatment Outcome ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; blood