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PubMed2002

Rejuvenating facial massage--a bane or boon?

BACKGROUND: Facial massage is an extremely popular form of beauty treatment and is thought to rejuvenate the skin. We decided to study the benefits and untoward effects of this form of facial beauty treatment. METHODS: One hundred and forty-two women (aged 17-63 years), who had received facial beauty treatment in three well-established beauty parlours in New Delhi, were entered into the study and observed for a period of 12 weeks after the facial beauty treatment. Twenty-seven of the subjects had a repeat facial beauty treatment 4-6 weeks after entry into the study, giving a total of 169 massage episodes observed. Immediate and delayed effects of the beauty treatment were examined. RESULTS: Facial beauty treatment generally consists of three steps: vigorous massaging of the face with creams, steaming (using a hot towel or a steaming gadget), and application of a face mask containing adsorbents and astringents. In our study, the creams used for massage included "off the shelf" creams manufactured by standard cosmetic companies in 95 (56.3%) subjects, herbal creams in 61 (36.1%), and creams containing exotic ingredients, such as gold salts, in 13 (7.7%). Sixty-one (36.1%) patients developed erythema and puffiness within 15 min to 2 h after the beauty treatment. This lasted for 2-6 h. Forty-one (24.3%) women underwent the procedure of comedone extraction after steaming. In 12 (7.1%) of these women, persistent erythema was noticed at the site of comedone extraction. Eight (4.7%) women developed mild dermatitis on the face, 2-7 days after the facial beauty treatment. Patch testing with constituents used in the facial beauty treatment was positive in four patients (herbal cream, 1; witch hazel, 1; orange face pack, 1; and gold cream, 1). In 47 (33.1%) subjects, an acneiform eruption was observed 3-10 weeks after the facial beauty treatment (mean, 6.1 +/- 3 weeks). Thirteen (27.7%) of these subjects had taken the facial beauty treatment for the first time, whereas 34 (72.3%) developed an acneiform eruption after every facial massage. The predominant lesions were deep-seated nodules, although a few comedones, especially closed ones, were present in some patients. Lesions were always present on the cheeks, an area of focus during the facial massage, and healed with hyperpigmentation. The benefits of facial beauty treatment, as mentioned by the subjects, included a feeling of freshness and rejuvenation in 84 (59.1%), keeping the skin supple in 76 (53.5%), feeling of warmth and tightening of the skin in 71 (50%), and delaying the onset of wrinkles in 21 (14.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Although there are several subjective benefits with facial beauty treatment, there may be immediate side-effects, such as erythema and edema, as well as delayed problems, such as dermatitis and acneiform eruption, in about one-third of patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Traditional herbal medicines--the role of polyphenols.

The polyphenol composition of some traditional herbal remedies is reviewed. Polyphenols probably act in such remedies by virtue of their astringent action and current views on the molecular basis of this property are outlined and discussed.

Chemical Phenomena↗
PubMed1984

[Pros and cons of preservatives in eyedrops. Questionnaire for practitioners and experimental studies with reference to the requirements of the German Pharmacopoeia of August 1978].

The first part of this paper deals with the regulations in the DAB 8/78 stating that eye-drops are to be preserved. A questionnaire prepared by the German Association of Ophthalmologists is analyzed. The four questions put to 353 ophthalmologists and answered by 350 of these concern the need for unpreserved eye-drops because of the danger of allergization; the expiry date once the bottle has been opened; infections due to eye-drops without preservatives; and the need for eye-drops made up by pharmacists. The second part deals with studies on the pH-values of lacrimal fluid in cases of normal and decreased lacrimation, as well as with the bactericidal action of the normal tear fluid containing lysozyme and lactotransferrine and various eye-drops containing preservatives. The authors conclude that the general addition of preservatives to eye-drops, especially to those containing antiphlogistic and astringent substances, is unnecessary. Concerning the expiry date on the bottle, it is suggested that the period of use be extended to three months, thus helping to cut costs.

Drug Hypersensitivity↗
PubMed2003

Modulation of repopulation processes in oral mucosa: experimental results.

PURPOSE: Repopulation processes, i.e. the tissue regeneration responses to radiotherapy with increasing overall treatment time, are the predominant factors defining the radiation tolerance of turnover tissues, such as squamous epithelia of the skin or gastrointestinal tract. The purpose was to assess experimental approaches for the modulation, i.e. stimulation of repopulation, in normal oral mucosa. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Numerous studies have been performed to identify and quantify the efficacy of repopulation processes in oral mucosa in experimental animal models, mainly mouse lip and tongue mucosa, and in some clinical studies. However, only a few investigations focused on the stimulation of these processes, aiming at a reduction in oral mucosal side-effects of radiotherapy. The present review summarizes the biological mechanisms underlying effective repopulation, and delineates experimental approaches for effective stimulation of these processes, eventually resulting in an increase in oral mucosal radiation tolerance. RESULTS: Repopulation in oral mucosa is a complex process dominated by a substantial reorganization of the proliferative structure, including a loss of the stem cell division asymmetry and acceleration of stem cell proliferation, as well as abortive divisions of 'sterilized' cells. Repopulation in mouse oral mucosa is more effective if the initial dose intensity (weekly dose) during the first treatment week(s) is increased. Stem cell production occurs mainly during the treatment weeks, while during treatment breaks, including weekends, differentiating (transit) cells are preferentially produced. Stimulation of superficial cell loss, e.g. by topical administration of mild astringent agents, stimulates mucosal proliferation. This translates into increased radiation tolerance to fractionated irradiation in experimental systems, like mouse tongue mucosa. In clinical studies, a reduction of oral mucosal reactions using the same approach was found during an accelerated radiotherapy regimen, but not during conventionally fractionated protocols. Keratinocyte growth factor has been demonstrated to reduce oral mucosal reactions significantly to single dose and fractionated irradiation. This effect is presumably based on an interaction with repopulation processes. CONCLUSIONS: Repopulation in oral mucosa is a highly complex process, which includes a substantial reorganization of the proliferative structure. In experimental models, its efficacy can be modulated by changes in the fractionation protocol, but more effectively by intervention in the regulation processes, e.g. by stimulation of proliferation through enhancement of cell loss. An alternative promising approach is the administration of growth factors, like keratinocyte growth factor, for effective modulation of oral mucosal repopulation. However, selectivity for the normal tissue, as well as biological mechanisms, must be studied in detail in relevant animal models.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

A new bioactive flavone glycoside from the seeds of Melilotus indica All.

Melilotus indica All. [Chopra, R.N., Nayar, S.L. and Chopra, I.C. (1956) Glossary Indian Med. Plants, 164 C.S.I.R. Publication New-Delhi; Kirtikar, K.R. and Basu, B.D. (1935) Indian Medicinal Plants, 2nd Ed., Vol. I, pp. 703-704 Lalit Mohan Basuan Co. Allahabad. The Wealth of India (1962) A Dictionary of Raw Materials and Industrial Products, Vol. VI, pp. 329-331 (C.S.I.R. Publication: New-Delhi)] belongs to family Leguminosae, which is commonly known as 'Banmethi' in Hindi. It is found in North India, extending into S. Persia, S. Europe and the Tropical zone of India. The seeds are used as an anthelmintic, an antipyretic, for curing heart diseases, bronchitis, leprosy, bowel complaints and infantile diarrhea. The plant has also been used as a discutient, emollient, and as a fomentation. It is also useful in a plaster for swelling. It is considered astringent and narcotic. Earlier workers have reported the presence of C-glycosides [Sayed, E.L., Ishak, M.S. and Mabry, T.J. (1997) Asian J. Chem., 9, 551], methylene-dioxypterocarpan (MIS6) [Saxena, V.K. and Nigam, S. (1997) Fitoterapia, 68, 343-345], pterocarpane (MIS2) [Saxena, V.K. and Nigam, S. (1996) J. Institution Chem. 68, 122-125] and prenylated pterocarpan [Saxena, V.K. and Nigam, S. (1997) Fitoterapia, 68, 403-407] from this plant. Here, we report the isolation of the new flavone glycoside 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-6,3'-dimethoxyflavone-7-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl(1-->6)-O-beta-D-galactopyranoside (1) from the seeds of this plant.

Flavones↗
PubMed2005

Updated knowledge about the presence of phenolic compounds in wine.

Phenolic compounds are partly responsible for the color, astringency, and bitterness of wine, as well as for numerous physiological properties associated with wine consumption. Mass spectrometry has allowed for great progress in the identification and characterization of wine polyphenols. The aim of the present article is to summarize the numerous advances recently achieved in this field. The main type of phenolic compounds found in wine, including hydroxybenzoic and hydroxycinnamic acids, stilbenes, flavones, flavonols, flavanonols, flavanols, and anthocyanins, are firstly described. Chemical reactions and mechanisms involving phenolic compounds during winemaking are also extensively discussed, including enzymatic and chemical oxidation reactions, direct and acetaldehyde-mediated anthocyanin-tannin condensation reactions, acetaldehydemediated and glyoxylic acid-mediated tannin-tannin condensation reactions and, C-4/C-5 anthocyanin cycloaddition reactions with 4-vinylphenols, vinylflavanols and pyruvic acid, among others, leading to the formation of pyranoanthocyanins. Useful mass spectral data of well-known and novel phenolic compounds recently identified in wine, and details related to their fragmentation pathway according to different ionization techniques, are given.

Anthocyanins↗
PubMed2002

An assessment of the ayurvedic concept of cancer and a new paradigm of anticancer treatment in Ayurveda.

This paper critically examines the Ayurvedic concept of cancer diathesis and its pathogenesis in terms of the theory of Tridosa, Sapta Dhātus (body tissues), the Agni or body's biologic fire, Srotámsi (i.e., channels of the body), and the generic sequence of events in the genesis of a disease (e.g., Satkriyākala). All this depicts a new paradigm of the disease state. This paper also examines the scope of plant drugs used in the treatment of cancer. A retrospective meta-analysis of observations on 85 plant drugs reported to have an anticancer effect indicates that herbs with Katu, Tikta, Kasāya Rasa (bitter, pungent, and astringent taste), Usna Virya (e.g., hot biopotency), and Katu Vipāka (catabolic active metabolites), and herbs with dry, coarse, light, and sharp biophysical properties have significantly greater possibilities of producing anticancer effects.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗
PubMed2001

Transport of proanthocyanidin dimer, trimer, and polymer across monolayers of human intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells.

The gut absorption of proanthocyanidins (PAs) and of the related (+)-catechin monomer was investigated with colonic carcinoma (Caco-2) cells of a human origin, grown in monolayers on permeable filters. Permeability of various radiolabeled PAs differing in their molecular weight was compared with that of the radiolabeled (+)-catechin. No toxicity was observed at PA concentrations up to the physiological concentration of 1 mM. (+)-Catechin and PA dimer and trimer had similar permeability coefficients (P(app) = 0.9-2.0 x 10(-6) cm s(-1)) close to that of mannitol, a marker of paracellular transport. Paracellular transport was also indicated by the increase of absorption after reduction of the transepithelial electric resistance through calcium ion removal. In contrast, permeability of a PA polymer with an average polymerization degree of 6 (molecular weight 1,740) was approximately 10 times lower (P(app) = 0.10 +/- 0.04 x 10(-6) cm s(-1)). PAs, particularly the most astringent PA polymer, were also adsorbed on the epithelial cells. These results suggest that PA dimers and trimers could be absorbed in vivo and that polymer bioavailability is limited to the gut lumen.

Anthocyanins↗
PubMed1991

Detoxification and mineral supplementation as functions of geophagy.

Clays employed historically in the consumption of astringent acorns plus seven edible clays from Africa were examined in relation to the functional significance of human geophagy. On the basis of sorptive maxima for tannic acid ranging from 5.6 to 23.7 mg/g, we conclude that adsorption of tannic acid in traditional acorn preparation methods in California and Sardinia helped make these nuts palatable. Calcium available in solution at pH 2.0 and 0.1 mol NaCl/L was 2.10 and 0.71 mg/g for the Sardinian and Californian clays, respectively. The African clays released calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, or zinc in amounts of nutritional significance from some clays but not from others. A clay recovered from an archaeological site occupied by Homo erectus and early H. sapiens was indistinguishable mineralogically, in detoxification capacity and in available minerals, from clays used in Africa today. We suggest that the physiological significance of geophagy made it important in the evolution of human dietary behavior.

Cooking↗
PubMed1998

Quantification of isoflavones by capillary zone electrophoresis in soybean seeds: effects of variety and environment.

Soybean isoflavones (genistin, daidzin, glycitin, and their malonyl forms and aglucons) are thought to be responsible for the astringent taste of soyfoods. Generally, HPLC with a methanol and water elution gradient is used for isoflavone quantification, but capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) has been used more recently to separate several flavonoids in plant extracts. We present the results of CZE analysis of isoflavones in soybean extracts. Conditions for separation by using CZE were optimized for analysis of soybean isoflavones. We compared the results of extraction at different temperatures and with different compositions of solvent. Total extraction of isoflavones was not affected by temperature but was affected by composition of the solvent. Malonyl forms of isoflavones were thermally unstable. We analyzed the isoflavone content of different varieties of soybean seeds sown on different dates. Total isoflavone content varied among different varieties and with sowing dates. Interactions between the variety and the sowing date also affected isoflavone composition. We conclude that the variety of soybean seed and environmental growing conditions, such as sowing date, can contribute to seed quality by reducing its isoflavone content, modifying its isoflavone composition, or both.

Climate↗
PubMed2000

Bitter taste, phytonutrients, and the consumer: a review.

Dietary phytonutrients found in vegetables and fruit appear to lower the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease. Studies on the mechanisms of chemoprotection have focused on the biological activity of plant-based phenols and polyphenols, flavonoids, isoflavones, terpenes, and glucosinolates. Enhancing the phytonutrient content of plant foods through selective breeding or genetic improvement is a potent dietary option for disease prevention. However, most, if not all, of these bioactive compounds are bitter, acrid, or astringent and therefore aversive to the consumer. Some have long been viewed as plant-based toxins. As a result, the food industry routinely removes these compounds from plant foods through selective breeding and a variety of debittering processes. This poses a dilemma for the designers of functional foods because increasing the content of bitter phytonutrients for health may be wholly incompatible with consumer acceptance. Studies on phytonutrients and health ought to take sensory factors and food preferences into account.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗
PubMed2001

Historical perspective on the use of otic antimicrobial agents.

Treatment of otorrhea has been described in the literature since 1500 BC. A multitude of therapeutic options have been described, including the use of astringents, antiseptics, alcohol, benzoin and various powders. Since the middle of the 20th century, antibiotic usage has been promoted as the most effective means of therapy. Until recently none of the agents that were used was found to be safe for middle ear use. Since 1990 there have been publications describing the safety and efficacy of fluoroquinolone drops for acute and chronic otorrhea. This article details the transition from treatment of otorrhea with nonspecific means to an era of antimicrobial therapy based on sound scientific evidence.

Alcohols↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The Taste of Health: Nature's Bitter Gifts.

A plant-based diet is said to protect against aging, heart disease, and cancer. Yet, the given advice to eat more vegetables and fruit often goes unheeded. Some consumers have turned instead to dietary supplements that provide plant-based antioxidants in a more concentrated form. Although these supplements are beneficial to human health in small doses, such compounds can sometimes be toxic. Biologically active phytochemicals also tend to be bitter, acrid, or astringent. The food industry has been removing them from plant foods through selective breeding and debittering processes, in response to consumer demand. Concerning bitter phytonutrients, the consumer faces competing demands of taste, health, and food safety.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Can Monsel's Transmit Nosocomial Infections? A Microbiological Investigation.

OBJECTIVE.: Our objective was to test whether common nosocomial pathogenic bacteria can be cultured in Monsel's paste, 20% ferric subsulfate, an astringent solution with styptic qualities that causes hemostasis when applied topically to small cuts. MATERIALS AND METHODS.: First, samples of Monsel's paste were collected and plated onto 4 media. Bacterial growth was evaluated at 48 hours. Second, thioglycollate medium was inoculated with a combination of Monsel's paste and actively growing stock bacteria. After 2 days, the samples were subcultured. They were evaluated for growth at 5 days. Next, samples of Monsel's were inoculated with 10Pseudomonas aeruginosa or 10Clostridium perfringens. The samples of inoculated paste were examined at 5-minute intervals thereafter to evaluate bacterial survival. RESULTS.: Neither the open samples of Monsel's solution nor the inoculated samples of Monsel's solution grew bacteria. When the samples inoculated with 10 organisms were examined at timed intervals after inoculation, no bacteria were noted after 5 minutes. CONCLUSIONS.: It is unlikely that nosocomial bacteria could survive exposure to Monsel's solution. Thus, potential contamination of the solution is unlikely, and subsequent transmission of infection is improbable.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Ear cleaning: the UK and US perspective.

Ear cleaning helps maintain the normal otic environment and is important in the treatment of otitis. Over cleaning, however, may trigger otitis through maceration of the epidermal lining. Simple manual cleaning is useful for routine cleansing but doesn't remove tightly adherent debris. Bulb syringes are more vigorous but may damage the ear in inexperienced hands. Devices using mains water pressure or dental machines are also available. Thorough cleaning of the ear canals and middle ear cavity can only be achieved by retrograde flushing using specially adapted catheters, feeding tubes or video otoscopes under anaesthesia. Myringotomy, inspection and cleaning of the middle should be performed if the tympanic membrane appears abnormal. There are a wide variety of cleaning fluids available. Ceruminolytics soften and dissolve cerumen to facilitate cleaning. Surfactants emulsify debris, breaking it up and keeping it in solution. Astringents dry the ear canal surface, preventing maceration. Maintaining a low pH and incorporating antimicrobial agents can inhibit microbial proliferation and glucocorticoids can be used to reduce inflammation. Adverse effects and contraindications following ear cleaning can include maceration, contact reactions, otitis media, ear canal avulsion, vestibular syndrome, Horner's syndrome, facial nerve paralysis and deafness. Care should be exercised in selecting cleaning fluids if the tympanic membranes are ruptured.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed1994

Study of the interaction between salivary proline-rich proteins and a polyphenol by 1H-NMR spectroscopy.

The interaction between salivary proline-rich proteins and plant polyphenols (tannins) in the oral cavity and their subsequent precipitation influences the taste, texture and nutritional value of food; it is thought to be responsible for the astringency of many foods and beverages. To investigate the interaction, two-dimensional 1H-NMR studies have been carried out on the binding of a representative polyphenol, pentagalloyl glucose, to two synthetic peptides (19 and 22 residues in length) that are typical of the repeat sequence of mouse salivary proline-rich protein MP5. Intermolecular nuclear Overhauser effects and chemical shift changes show that the main binding sites on the peptides are proline residues together with the preceding amide bond and amino acid. The interaction is principally a hydrophobic association between a galloyl ring and the pyrrolidine ring face containing the C alpha proton, but secondary hydrogen-bonding effects help to stabilise the complex. Very similar interactions are seen for both peptides. The conformation of the peptides remains extended on binding. The chemical shift changes seen for many of the peptide protons can be fitted to a simple binding curve with dissociation constant of around 40 mM, but some protons show evidence of cooperative binding involving several galloyl groups. Higher concentrations of pentagalloyl glucose lead to a reduced off-rate from the complex and eventual precipitation which implies that precipitation is caused by a kinetic competition between aggregation and dissociation of the complex.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The world's longest surviving paediatric practices: some themes of Aboriginal medical ethnobotany in Australia.

Contemporary paediatric practices of Australian Aboriginal men and women, in more than 100 Aboriginal Language Groups, comprise a living discipline whose origins predate Western medicine by tens of millennia. The history of paediatrics acknowledges this surviving continuum of the world's oldest child-care practices. Because of the inextricable nexus between Aboriginal men and women and the land in which they live, medical ethnobotany forms a major part of the medical aspects of Aboriginal child care. Traditional tribal healers, called 'Nungungi' in some language groups of Central Australia, are identified as such whilst still young children and are given special education in the healing arts, especially that of medical ethnobotany, by older healers. Distinct from this specialized role, all Aboriginal men and women (and in particular grandmothers) in traditional communities use a sophisticated botanical materia medica in the treatment of sick and injured children. In cultures in transition, medical ethnobotanical practices may persist long after the local use of flora as sources of traditional food, weaponry, totemic identity and religious rites have disappeared. Some selected botanical 'cures' were adopted by early European settlers and a number of such relict uses have become part of mainstream Western life today, particularly as this applies to self-medication. Drugs and medicaments used in the treatment of children are obtained from leaves, bark, roots and flowers, usually as fresh preparations. They are prepared as infusions, decoctions and macerations and may be enjoined with emollients such as emu or kangaroo fat for topical application. Botanical drugs and medicaments are usually prepared fresh for each administration and are rarely stored. Contemporary Australian ethnobotany exploits the medicinal properties of more than 100 genera - using such extracts as antiseptics, analgesics, astringents, antipyretics, sedatives, hypnotics, expectorants and carminatives. Their widespread use, by the world's oldest surviving cultures, reflect perhaps 50 millennia of acute observation and clinical interpretation, trial and error, serendipidity and experimentation. Australian medical ethnobotany generally, and that used specifically for children, is characterized by several features including (i) the multipurpose or 'broad-spectrum' use of many floral species; (ii) a paradigm of the use of botanical material to treat symptoms and symptom-complexes rather than disease-based treatment; (iii) the widespread and universal medical knowledge of botanical remedies by all members of local Aboriginal communities, not only traditional community or tribal healers and (iv) the use of botanical material in the context of preventive medicine. Seventy per cent of the world's population uses traditional herbal remedies in the treatment of sick or injured children. In this context, the detailed and extensive ethnobotanical pharmacopoeia of the Aboriginal Peoples of Australia holds an important place.

Australia↗
PubMed2005

Clinico-pathological analysis of the cutaneous lesions of a patient with type I pseudohypoaldosteronism.

The autosomal recessive form of type I pseudohypoaldosteronism (PHA-I) is an unusual disorder characterized by aldosterone resistance at the target organs, which leads to an excessive loss of sodium chloride through urine, sweat and saliva, among other secretions. Such a high concentration of salt in the sweat during the depletive crises directly causes inflammation and damage in the eccrine structures, with cutaneous lesions similar to those appearing in miliaria rubra. We report an autosomal recessive PHA-I in a 4-year-old girl, with cutaneous lesions mimicking miliaria rubra, that improved after treatment with astringent solutions and avoidance of profuse sweating.

Child, Preschool↗