Formulation of Nanoemulgel from Extracts of Musa acuminata: In-Vitro Kinetics and Antimicrobial Studies

The study was intended to formulate nanoemulgel from the leaf extract of Musa acuminata. Ethanol and Chloroform were used as solvents in the ratio of 1:8 (%w/v). DL- alpha-Tocopherol, characterized by GCMS, was identified to be the major component with potential biological activities. Based on a pseudo ternary plot, the 1:1 Smix (Surfactant: Co- Surfactant) ratio was optimized as it posed maximum regions of emulsion. The prepared nanoemulgel was evaluated for physical appearance, pH, spreadability, and swelling index. The appearance was pale yellowish-white, translucent within a pH range of 5-5.8. Antimicrobial studies were performed against dandruff-causing microbes (Staphylococcus epidermidis and Malassezia furfur). Invitro studies were carried out for optimized formulations of EG2, EG4, CG2, and CG3. The drug release of 94.28% after 12 h with Higuchi plot of R2 value as 0.99 was observed for EG2. The kinetically optimized formulation, EG2 was found to have good spreadability of 12.2 (g cm) s−1 and a swelling index of 64%.

Antifungal Effect of Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy Mediated by Haematoporphyrin Monomethyl Ether and Aloe Emodin on Malassezia furfur

Infectious dermatological diseases caused by Malassezia furfur are often chronic, recurrent, and recalcitrant. Current therapeutic options are usually tedious, repetitive, and associated with adverse effects. Alternatives that broaden the treatment options and reduce side effects for patients are needed. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is an emerging approach that is quite suitable for superficial infections. The aim of this study is to investigate the antimicrobial efficacy and effect of aPDT mediated by haematoporphyrin monomethyl ether (HMME) and aloe emodin (AE) on clinical isolates of M. furfur in vitro. The photodynamic antimicrobial efficacy of HMME and AE against M. furfur was assessed by colony forming unit (CFU) assay. The uptake of HMME and AE by M. furfur cells was investigated by fluorescence microscopy. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) probe and flow cytometry were employed to evaluate the intracellular ROS level. The effect of HMME and AE-mediated aPDT on secreted protease and lipase activity of M. furfur was also investigated. The results showed that HMME and AE in the presence of light effectively inactivated M. furfur cells in a photosensitizer (PS) concentration and light energy dose-dependent manner. AE exhibited higher antimicrobial efficacy against M. furfur than HMME under the same irradiation condition. HMME and AE-mediated aPDT disturbed the fungal cell envelop, significantly increased the intracellular ROS level, and effectively inhibited the activity of secreted protease and lipase of M. furfur cells. The results suggest that HMME and AE have potential to serve as PSs in the photodynamic treatment of dermatological diseases caused by M. furfur, but further ex vivo or in vivo experiments are needed to verify that they can meet the requirements for clinical practice.

Anti-Herpes Simplex 1 Activity of Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Wax

Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis (Link) Schneider) wax is used for various dermatological and pharmaceutical applications. Several reports have previously shown beneficial properties of Jojoba wax and extracts, including antimicrobial activity. The current research aimed to elucidate the impact of Jojoba wax on skin residential bacterial (Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis), fungal (Malassezia furfur), and virus infection (herpes simplex 1; HSV-1). First, the capacity of four commercial wax preparations to attenuate their growth was evaluated. The results suggest that the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Malassezia furfur was unaffected by Jojoba in pharmacologically relevant concentrations. However, the wax significantly attenuated HSV-1 plaque formation. Next, a complete dose–response analysis of four different Jojoba varieties (Benzioni, Shiloah, Hatzerim, and Sheva) revealed a similar anti-viral effect with high potency (EC50 of 0.96 ± 0.4 µg/mL) that blocked HSV-1 plaque formation. The antiviral activity of the wax was also confirmed by real-time PCR, as well as viral protein expression by immunohistochemical staining. Chemical characterization of the fatty acid and fatty alcohol composition was performed, showing high similarity between the wax of the investigated varieties. Lastly, our results demonstrate that the observed effects are independent of simmondsin, repeatedly associated with the medicinal impact of Jojoba wax, and that Jojoba wax presence is required to gain protection against HSV-1 infection. Collectively, our results support the use of Jojoba wax against HSV-1 skin infections.

Novel phytotherapy for tinea versicolor by extracting zingiber wightianum thwaites

Herbal medicines are gaining more interest both in terms of medicinal and economic benefits and they are getting more patient compliance due to its fewer side effects as compared to allopathic medicines. The present research was aimed at phytochemical screening and antifungal evaluation of rhizomic extract of Zingiber wightianum Thwaites belonging to Zingiberaceae family. The rhizomes were subjected for Soxhlet extraction and the preliminary phytochemical screening of this extract proved the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, tannins, flavonoids, saponins, phenols. Subsequently, these extracts were evaluated for antifungal activity and minimum inhibitory concentration was determined. Hence revealed the potential to treat a fungal infection Tinea versicolor, caused by fungus Malassezia furfur. This investigation was also undertaken with a view to formulate and evaluate the herbal gel using Zingiber wightianum rhizomic extract. Thus, the overall studies concluded that the rhizomic extract of Zingiber wightianum Thwaites and its formulation would be a breakthrough in the field of modern antifungal drug.

Formulation of Poly Herbal Hair Oils and Evaluation of its Anti-Dandruff Activity against the Fungus Malassezia (Malassezia furfur)

In the present study, hair formulations were prepared using Trigonella foenum-graecum, Ocimum tenuiflorum, Phyllanthus emblica, Murraya koenigii, Rosa damascena, Azadirachta indica, Citrus limon, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Mentha arvensis, Jasminum sambac, Aloe barbedensis, Camellia sinensis. Seven formulations were made using definite ratios of extracts. The antifungal activity of formulated polyherbal hair oils was evaluated by the agar well diffusion method against the fungus Malassezia furfur, a causative agent of the dandruff problem. Among the seven different combination samples, Sample II and Sample VI showed better inhibition effect against M.furfur. Hence, the formulated herbal oils are eco-friendly, natural and can be used as an alternative for synthetic anti-dandruff products.

Comparative Efficacy of Antidermatophyte Creams Formulated from Ethanol Extracts of Cassia Occidentalis and Cassia Alata Leaves

Incidence of drug resistance by dermatophytes is a worldwide concern. Researchers search for natural and better drugs to arrest the ugly situation. This study aims to formulate antidermatophyte Creams with ethanol extracts of the leaves of cassia alata and cassia occidentalis against four selected dermatophytes namely Trichophyton mentagrophtes, Microsporum audounii, Epidermophyton floccosum and Malassezia furfur. Wistar rats were used in determining the efficacy of the formulated herbal creams by examining the biopsies of the skin of the infected rats for presence of fungal hyphae, tissue destruction, Inflammation of the skin, absence of sebaceous gland and also absence of hair follicles. Dekeratinization of the skin layer was also measured. From the result obtained, it was observed that the efficacy of the creams is concentration dependent. Cassia alata cream formulation was particularly effective against three of the dermatophytes namelyTrichophyton mentagrophtes (30.71± 0.51 µm) Microsporum audounii (36.17± 0.59 µm), and Epidermophyton floccosum (37.49± 0.18 µm) while Cassia occidentalis cream was effective against Malassezia furfur (33.22± 0.16 µm). The results showed that the plants ethanol extracts can be utilized in the management of dermatophytosis when formulated as a cream for topical use.