OBJECTIVETo screen the formulations of cryptotanshinone gel for treatment of topical diseases such as acne.

METHODDifferent cryptotanshinone gels incorporating various penetration enhancers at different concentrations were prepared using carbopol 934L as matrix. The steady transdermal fluxes and drug retention amounts in skin of the gels were investigated on single chamber diffusion cells using excised rat abdomen skin as model and 40% polyethylene glycol-400 saline as releasing media. The optimal formulation would be the gel which had the maximum drug retention amount/ transdermal drug flux ratio.

RESULTThe promotion effects of menthol at different concentrations were as follows: 5% > 3% > 1%, and the effects on drug retention amount in skin were followed as: 5% approximately equal 3% > 1%; The promotion effects of a zone at different concentrations were as follows: 5% approximately equal 3% > 1%, and the effects on drug retention amount in skin were as follows: 5% > 3% approximately equal 1%. Combination of enhancers showed no superior effects compared to single uses. 5% azone had the maximum retention amount/ transdermal flux ratio.

CONCLUSIONThe optimal formulation was the cryptotanshinone gel containing 5% azone.

Administration, Topical ; Animals ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Gels ; Male ; Permeability ; Phenanthrenes ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Skin ; metabolism

The folate metabolic pathway plays important roles in cellular physiology by participating in nucleotide synthesis, DNA repair and methylation, and maintenance and stability of the genome. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a key regulatory enzyme involved in folate metabolism. Polymorphisms of MTHFR may change the level of homocysteine and affect DNA synthesis and methylation, leading to an increased oxidative stress and disturbed methylation reactions and consequently affecting reproductive function. This article presents an overview on MTHFR gene polymorphisms, proposing that multicentered, large-sample and long-term prospective studies are needed to reveal the relationship between MTHFR gene polymorphisms and infertility.
DNA ; biosynthesis ; DNA Methylation ; DNA Repair ; Folic Acid ; metabolism ; Homocysteine ; metabolism ; Humans ; Infertility ; enzymology ; genetics ; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Prospective Studies

Apoptosis ; Down-Regulation ; Electron Transport Complex IV ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Mitochondria ; metabolism ; Mutation ; Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology

To develop estradiol transdermal film-forming spray (TFS), various polymers were screened using solvent appearance, spray ability, film-forming rate and appearance as indices. The influence of polymer type, plasticizer and penetration enhancer on the transdermal flux were investigated by selecting porcine skin as model, and transdermal flux of TFS was compared with commercial patch and gel. The drug existing state in the formed film was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The solvent appearances, spray abilities, film-forming rates and appearances of eudragit E PO, RL PO, hydroxypropyl cellulose EF, polyvinylpyrrolidone K30, Plasdone S630 and Agrimer VA64 were suitable for the preparation of TFS. TFS prepared by Eudragit RL PO had the biggest transdermal flux of estradiol among all the polymers investigated. Triethyl citrate, the plasticizer, decreased the transdermal flux. Azone increased the transdermal flux, while oleic acid, isopropyl myristate and menthol had opposite effects. TFS had a higher transdermal rate and a higher accumulative penetrated estradiol of 24 h than commercial patch and gel. The DSC result showed that estradiol was spread as molecule in the formed film of TFS. It was indicated that TFS could be expected to be an effective transdermal drug delivery system.
Administration, Cutaneous ; Aerosols ; Animals ; Azepines ; chemistry ; Calorimetry, Differential Scanning ; Cellulose ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; Citrates ; chemistry ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Estradiol ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Plasticizers ; chemistry ; Polymers ; chemistry ; Skin Absorption ; Swine

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship of properties and drug release rate of hot melt pressure sensitive adhesive (HMPSA), and to provide a recommendation of preparing and selecting of HMPSA for transdermal use.

METHODHMPSA with different properties were prepared using styrene-isoprene-styrene triblock copolymer as main material, and the tacks, adhesions and cohesions were determined. Drug-in-adhesive type patches were prepared using alpha-asarone as model drug, and the drug release rates were investigated on single chamber diffusion cells using 60% ethanol solution as release media.

RESULTThe prepared HMPSAs had different tacks, adhesions and cohesions. The drug release rates of HMPSA patches were related to the cohesions. The release rate decreased when the cohesion increased.

CONCLUSIONThe HMPSA with appropriate cohesion should be selected when preparing patches to balance the drug release rate and patch property.

Adhesives ; Anisoles ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Diffusion ; Pharmacokinetics

This article introduces the current status and controversy of laparoscopic technique in the treatment of gallbladder carcinoma. Combined with the characteristics of incidental gallbladder carcinoma, the feasibility of laparoscopic techniques for the treatment of early gallbladder carcinoma is analyzed.In the era of minimally invasive medical, laparoscopic techniques should play a more important role in the management of gallbladder cancer, but the long-term prognosis of laparoscopic radical surgery for gallbladder cancer needs strict prospective and high-volume clinical research to validate.

Aged ; Autoimmune Diseases ; diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatitis ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; surgery ; Prednisone ; therapeutic use

Gallbladder cancer is a common malignant tumor in the bile duct system with high malignant degree and poor prognosis. Although it is still controversial, important progress has been made in clinical application of laparoscopic technique for diagnosis and staging of gallbladder cancer, treatment of early stage and laparoscopic unexpected gallbladder cancer in recent years. In this article we review the current status of application of laparoscopic technique and its value in diagnosis and treatment of gallbladder cancer.
Gallbladder Neoplasms ; surgery ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; methods ; Prognosis

Adult ; Gallbladder Diseases ; pathology ; Gastric Mucosa ; pathology ; Humans ; Male

Common bile duct (CBD) stones are a frequent problem in Chinese populations, and their incidence is particularly high in certain areas (Wang et al., 2013). In recent years, laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) have been the main surgical procedures for CBD stones, although each has different advantages and disadvantages in the treatment of choledocholithiasis (Loor et al., 2017; Zhou et al., 2017). For patients with large stones, a dilated CBD, especially concurrent gallstones, LCBDE is the preferred and most economical minimally invasive procedure (Koc et al., 2013). However, a T-tube is often placed during LCBDE to prevent postoperative bile leakage; this is associated with problems such as bile loss, electrolyte disturbance, and decreased gastric intake (Martin et al., 1998). In addition, the T-tube usually must remain in place for more than a month, during which time the patient's quality of life is seriously compromised. Many skilled surgeons currently perform primary closure of the CBD following LCBDE, which effectively speeds up rehabilitation (Hua et al., 2015). However, even in sophisticated medical centers, the incidence of postoperative bile leakage still reaches ≥10% (Liu et al., 2017). Especially for a beginner, bile leakage remains a key problem (Kemp Bohan et al., 2017). Therefore, a safe and effective minimally invasive surgical approach to preventing bile leakage during primary closure of the CBD after LCBDE is still urgently needed.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Choledocholithiasis ; Common Bile Duct Diseases ; Drainage/methods* ; Female ; Gallstones ; Gastroscopy ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Male ; Middle Aged