Acne Vulgaris ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; etiology ; immunology ; Dermatomycoses ; complications ; drug therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Malassezia

The optimal prescription of tanshinone Ⅱ_A(TSN)-glycyrrhetinic acid(GA) solid lipid nanoparticles(GT-SLNs) was explored and evaluated in vivo and in vitro, and its effect on acne after oral administration was investigated. The preparation processing and prescription were optimized and verified by single factor and response surface methodology. The in vitro release of GA and TSN in GT-SLNs was determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography(UPLC). The effect of GT-SLNs on acne was investigated by the levels of sex hormones in mice, ear swelling model, and tissue changes in sebaceous glands, and the pharmacokinetics was evaluated. The 24-hour cumulative release rates of GA and TSN in SLNs were 65.87%±5.63% and 36.13%±2.31% respectively. After oral administration of GT-SLNs and the mixture of GA and TSN(GT-Mix), the AUC_(0-t) and AUC_(0-∞) of TSN in GT-SLNs were 1.98 times and 4.77 times those in the GT-Mix group, respectively, and the peak concentration of TSN in the GT-SLNs group was 17.2 times that in the GT-Mix group. After intragastric administration of GT-SLNs, the serum levels of testosterone(T) and the ratio of testosterone to estradiol(T/E2) in the GT-SLNs group significantly declined, and the sebaceous glands of mice were atrophied to a certain extent. The results demonstrated that obtained GT-SLNs with good encapsulation efficiency and uniform particle size could promote the release of GA and TSN. GT-SLNs displayed therapeutic efficacy on acne manifested by androgen increase, abnormal sebaceous gland secretion, and inflammatory damage.
Abietanes ; Acne Vulgaris/drug therapy* ; Animals ; Drug Carriers ; Glycyrrhetinic Acid ; Liposomes ; Mice ; Nanoparticles ; Particle Size ; Testosterone

This study summarized and analyzed the current acne-relieving Chinese medicinal health products and Chinese patent medicines,aiming at providing references for the formulation and development of acne-relieving health products. The information on acne-relieving health products published by the Department of Special Food Safety Supervision and Management,the State Administration for Market Regulation( SAMR) was retrieved,and the Chinese patent medicines on DRUGDATAEXPY were searched. Microsoft Excel and the Traditional Chinese Medicine Inheritance Support System V2. 5( TCMISS) were employed to statistically analyze the characteristics of formulations. Forty-three acne-relieving health products were obtained,including 40 ones containing Chinese herbal medicines. Six Chinese herbal medicines showed a usage frequency ≥8,with 61 times in use totally,including Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma( 13),Lonicerae Japonicae Flos( 12),Taraxaci Herba( 11),ALOE( 9),Carthami Flos( 8),and Rhei Radix et Rhizoma( 8). A total of 29 Chinese patent medicines with similar efficacy were collected in DRUGDATAEXPY. Nine Chinese herbal medicines showed a usage frequency ≥6,with 63 times in use,including Rhei Radix et Rhizoma( 10),Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma( 8),Scutellariae Radix( 8),Lonicerae Japonicae Flos( 7),Angelicae Sinensis Radix( 6),Paeoniae Radix Rubra( 6),Astragali Radix( 6),Paeoniae Radix Alba( 6),and Gardeniae Fructus( 6). Through unsupervised hierarchical entropy-based clustering of the above-mentioned Chinese medicinal health products and Chinese patent medicines,five and three new formulas were obtained,respectively. The selection of Chinese herbal medicines was consistent with the principles of traditional Chinese medicine( TCM) theories in relieving acne,i. e.,dispelling exterior wind,ventilating lungs,clearing heat,dissipating mass,promoting diuresis,relaxing bowels,removing toxin,activating blood,resolving stasis,eliminating phlegm,and regulating Qi. According to the " lung governing skin and body hair" and " interior-exterior relationship between lung and large intestine" in TCM theories,the idea that acne could be treated by relieving constipation was proposed,which provided new methods and references for the research and development of Chinese medicinal health products.
Acne Vulgaris/drug therapy* ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Nonprescription Drugs

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy of 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) for treating psoriasis vulgaris in guinea pigs.

METHODSExperimental psoriasis vulgaris was induced in guinea pigs by application of 5% propranolol on the ear skin. After dressing of the skin lesion with 20% ALA solution for 4 h, the lesions were irradiated with a semiconductor laser at the wavelength of 635 nm and energy density of 12 J/cm(2). The guinea pigs were divided into control group, ALA only group, light only group, single ALA-PDT treatment group and twice ALA-PDT treatment group. In each group, gross observation and biopsy of the skin lesions was conducted on days 7, 14, 21 and 28 after the treatment.

RESULTSIn terms of gross observation of the lesion, epidermal thickness and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression, ALA-PDT treatment showed obvious therapeutic effect on the skin lesion, and two treatment sessions resulted in better effect than a single session.

CONCLUSIONALA-PDT can cure psoriasis vulgaris lesions characterized by abnormal epidermal proliferation in guinea pigs, and multiple treatment sessions can achieve better effects.

Acne Vulgaris ; drug therapy ; Aminolevulinic Acid ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Guinea Pigs ; Photochemotherapy ; Photosensitizing Agents ; therapeutic use ; Psoriasis ; drug therapy

The current treatment of acne vulgaris utilizing both topical and systemic agents i eviewed. New therapeutic agents such as the retinoids and their newer analogus etretin and RO-15-0778, antiandrogens cyproterone acetate alone and in combination with estrogen, a eutectic mixture of local anesthetics (EMLA), minoxidil for hair growth, mupirocin and ketoconazole. A partial list of therapeutic agents whose futher use is under review in terms of their safety or efficacy.
Acitretin ; Acne Vulgaris ; Androgen Antagonists ; Anesthetics, Local ; Cyproterone Acetate ; Drug Therapy* ; Estrogens ; Hair ; Humans ; Ketoconazole ; Minoxidil ; Mupirocin ; Retinoids

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical therapeutic effect of Qingre Cuochuang tablet (QCT) in treating female delayed acne vulgaris (FDAV, with patients age more than 25 years old), to evaluate objectively the sexual hormone in patients and to assess the effect of QCT on sexual hormone.

METHODSSixty FDAV patients were randomly divided into the treated group (n = 40) and the control group (n = 20), they were treated with QCT and western medicine (including antisterone, tetracycline and metronidazole) respectively. Besides, 10 healthy female subjects aged > or = 25 years were selected as normal control. Serum levels of testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2) in all patients and healthy subjects as well as the clinical therapeutic effect of the treatments were observed and compared.

RESULTSThe total effective rate in the treated group and the control group was 92.5% and 90.0% respectively, comparison between them showed insignificant difference. Serum level of T in the patients before treatment were higher than that in healthy subjects (P < 0.01), and showed no difference between the treated group and the control group. After treatment, it lowered significantly in the treated group (P < 0.01), but unchanged in the control group, E2 level showed no significant change in both groups before and after treatment.

CONCLUSIONQCT has definite clinical effect in treating FDAV, it could lower the serum level of T and with few adverse reaction.

Acne Vulgaris ; blood ; drug therapy ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Estradiol ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Phytotherapy ; Tablets ; Testosterone ; blood

OBJECTIVEAcne vulgaris is a chronic dermatologic problem with multiple factors involved in its pathogenesis. Alternative solutions to acne treatment were instigated by antibiotic resistance despite of its extensive use. Purified bee venom (PBV) has been proposed as a promising candidate for that purpose. The present study was designed to confirm the antibacterial effect of PBV and access the efficacy of cosmetics containing PBV in subjects with acne vulgaris.

METHODSThe skin bacterium Propionibacterium acnes was incubated with PBV at various concentrations and bacterial growth was evaluated using the colony forming unit (CFU) assay. The mechanism of PBV employed in killing P. acnes was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In addition, a total of 12 subjects were randomized in a double-blind, controlled trial to receive either cosmetics containing PBV or cosmetics without PBV for two weeks. Evaluations included lesion counts and skin microorganism.

RESULTSPBV exhibited antimicrobial activity in a concentration-dependent manner, reducing the number of P. acnes CFU by approximately 6 logs at a concentration of 0.5 mg. When PBV concentration was higher than 1.0 mg, no P. acnes colonies were spotted on an agar. TEM and SEM of untreated P. acnes illustrated the normal pleomorphic structure, whereas the PBV-treated bacterium lost the integrity of surface architecture. Significant difference (P=0.027) in the grading levels based on numbers of lesion counts for inflammatory and noninflammatory was observed in favour of the PBV group compared with the control group. In terms of average decrement of skin microorganism, subjects receiving cosmetics containing PBV experienced a significant 57.5% decrease of adenosine triphosphate levels, whereas participants receiving cosmetics without PBV experienced a nonsignificant decrease of 4.7%.

CONCLUSIONThese results show that the in vitro actions of antimicrobial activity of PBV were translated in vivo. Cosmetics containing PBV provided a certain degree of efficacy in terms of lesion counts and skin microorganism concentration compared with cosmetics without PBV in subjects with acne vulgaris. PBV may be a good candidate compound for developing therapeutic drug for the treatment of acne vulgaris.

Acne Vulgaris ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Anti-Infective Agents ; therapeutic use ; Bee Venoms ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Cosmetics ; Double-Blind Method ; Humans ; Propionibacterium acnes ; drug effects

Although picosecond lasers were invented as an effective treatment of pigmented lesions, the Food and Drug Administration has also approved picosecond lasers with fractional mode for treating acne scars and wrinkles on the face. In this report, we introduce a noteworthy case in which we treated a periareolar scar using a 1,064-nm picosecond laser with fractional mode. A 32-year-old female patient who had a periareolar scar due to a breast reconstruction procedure with a latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap hoped to remove the postoperative scar. We applied a 1,064-nm picosecond neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Nd:YAG) laser with a micro-lens array (MLA) to the scar twice, with a 1-month interval between treatments. The scar improved after the second laser treatment and the patient was satisfied with the outcome. The treatment of a postoperative periareolar scar through subsurface fractional ablative resurfacing using a 1,064-nm Nd:YAG picosecond laser with a MLA produced significant improvements in the texture and aesthetic appearance of the scar, without any wound complications.
Acne Vulgaris ; Adult ; Cicatrix ; Female ; Hope ; Humans ; Laser Therapy ; Mammaplasty ; Myocutaneous Flap ; Superficial Back Muscles ; United States Food and Drug Administration ; Wounds and Injuries ; Yttrium

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of Chinese medical facial mask comprehensive therapy in treating acne vulgaris.

METHODSTotally 233 acne vulgaris patients (FAS set) in I -III degree were randomly assigned to the facial mask group (113 cases) and the Western medicine group (120 cases). They were respectively treated with external application of Chinese medical facial mask (twice a week) and 5% benzoyl peroxide gel (Benzine, once in the evening). The treatment lasted for four successive weeks. The integrals of lesions and the improvement of Chinese medicine syndrome integrals were observed 1 week, 2 weeks and 4 weeks after treatment respectively. The occurrence of adverse reactions was recorded. The subjects' evaluation on using the Chinese medical facial mask comprehensive therapy was also recorded.

RESULTSTotally 228 of the 233 patients completed the therapeutic course (7 cases of overtime, 221 cases of PPS set, 105 cases in the facial mask group and 116 cases in the Western medicine group). After 4 weeks of treatment, the lesions and the total effective rate of CM symptoms were obviously higher in the facial mask group than in the control group (46.9% vs 30.0%, 70.8% vs 55.8%, P < 0.05). The statistical results of FAS set and PPS set showed no difference. After 4 weeks of treatment, the integrals of PPS lesions and the CM syndrome integrals in the facial mask group were lower than in the Western medicine group, showing statistical difference (P < or = 0.05). After 2 weeks and 4 weeks of treatment, the integrals of lesions and the CM syndrome integrals of FAS set and PPS set were all higher in the facial mask group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The occurrence of adverse reactions was 1.8% (2/113) in the facial mask group and 2.5% (3/120) in the control group without statistical difference (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSChinese medical facial mask comprehensive therapy is safe and effective in treating acne vulgaris of I - III degree. The occurrence of adverse reactions is very low. It is easy to operate and spread.

Acne Vulgaris ; drug therapy ; Benzoyl Peroxide ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Gels ; Humans ; Male ; Phytotherapy

Acne vulgaris is a very common condition affecting up of about 80% to 90% of adolescents. The patients with acne have been shown to be adversely impacted by the effect of acne on their quality of life. Four factors are believed to play a key role in the development of acne lesions: excess sebum production, disturbed keratinization within the follicle, colonization of the pilosebaceous duct by Propionibacterium acnes, and the release of inflammatory mediators into the skin. Consequently, the target for acne therapy is these well-known pathogenic factors responsible for this disease state. Topical retinoids correct abnormal keratinization, but it should be applied cautiously because of irritation. Benzoyl peroxide is an effective bactericidal agent against P. acnes. Main topical antibiotics are erythromycin and clindamycin. Fixed combination topical products with retinoids, benzoyl peroxide and antibiotics have been introduced. Use of systemic antibiotics, including tetracyclines and macrolides rapidly improves inflammatory acne lesions. Oral isotretinoin is effective against all of the main pathogenic features of acne but is contraindicated in pregnant women and has been associated with cheilitis and dry skin. Hormonal therapy has been found to improve acne in some selective patients and should be considered for appropriate candidates. This review will present the general aspects of the pharmacological treatments for acne.
Acne Vulgaris ; Adolescent ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Benzoyl Peroxide ; Cheilitis ; Clindamycin ; Colon ; Drug Therapy ; Erythromycin ; Female ; Humans ; Isotretinoin ; Macrolides ; Pregnant Women ; Propionibacterium acnes ; Quality of Life ; Retinoids ; Sebum ; Skin ; Tetracyclines