A randomized, placebo-controlled double-blinded comparative clinical study of five over-the-counter non-pharmacological topical analgesics for myofascial pain: single session findings

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Objectives</p> <p>To investigate the effects of topical agents for the treatment of Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) and Myofascial Trigger Point (MTRP).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Subjects with an identifiable trigger point in the trapezius muscle, age 18-80 were recruited for a single-session randomized, placebo-blinded clinical study. Baseline measurements of trapezius muscle pressure pain threshold (PPT: by pressure algometer) along with right and left cervical lateral flexion (rangiometer) were obtained by a blinded examiner. An assessor blinded to the outcomes assessments applied one of 6 topical formulations which had been placed in identical plastic containers. Five of these topicals were proposed active formulations; the control group was given a non-active formulation (PLA). Five minutes after the application of the formula the outcome measures were re-tested. Data were analyzed with a 5-way ANOVA and Holms-adjusted t-tests with an alpha level of 0.05.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>120 subjects were entered into the study (63 females; ages 16-82); 20 subjects randomly allocated into each group. The pre- and post-treatment results for pressure threshold did show significant intra-group increases for the Ben-Gay Ultra Strength Muscle Pain Ointment (BG), the Professional Therapy MuscleCare Roll-on (PTMC roll-on) and Motion Medicine Cream (MM) with an increased threshold of 0.5 kg/cm²(+/-0.15), 0.72 kg/cm^{<b>2 </b>}(+/-0.17) and 0.47 Kg/cm^{<b>2 </b>}(+/-0.19) respectively. With respect to the inter-group comparisons, PTMC roll-on showed significant increases in pressure threshold compared with Placebo (PLA) (p = 0.002) and Icy Hot Extra Strength Cream (IH) (p = 0.006). In addition, BG demonstrated significant increases in pressure threshold compared with PLA (p = 0.0003).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>With regards to pressure threshold, PTMC roll-on, BG and MM showed significant increases in pain threshold tolerance after a short-term application on a trigger points located in the trapezius muscle. PTMC roll-on and BG were both shown to be superior vs placebo while PTMC was also shown to be superior to IH in patients with trigger points located in the trapezius muscle on a single application.</p> <p>CMCC Research Ethics Board Approval # 1012X01, 2011</p

Enhancement strategies for transdermal drug delivery systems: current trends and applications

Transdermal drug delivery systems have become an intriguing research topic in pharmaceutical technology area and one of the most frequently developed pharmaceutical products in global market. The use of these systems can overcome associated drawbacks of other delivery routes, such as oral and parenteral. The authors will review current trends, and future applications of transdermal technologies, with specific focus on providing a comprehensive understanding of transdermal drug delivery systems and enhancement strategies. This article will initially discuss each transdermal enhancement method used in the development of first-generation transdermal products. These methods include drug/vehicle interactions, vesicles and particles, stratum corneum modification, energy-driven methods and stratum corneum bypassing techniques. Through suitable design and implementation of active stratum corneum bypassing methods, notably microneedle technology, transdermal delivery systems have been shown to deliver both low and high molecular weight drugs. Microneedle technology platforms have proven themselves to be more versatile than other transdermal systems with opportunities for intradermal delivery of drugs/biotherapeutics and therapeutic drug monitoring. These have shown that microneedles have been a prospective strategy for improving transdermal delivery systems. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]</p

Recent advances in the production of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid from biorenewable resources

Bio-based renewable resources have emerged as strong contenders to produce fuels and chemicals via carbon–neutral and eco-friendly methods. In particular, 2,5 furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) which is listed among the top 12 platform molecules, can be used to produce bio-based polymer as an alternative to polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Notably, FDCA can be produced from an array of biorenewable resources using catalytic materials. However, biomass-derived 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) remains the primary feedstock to produce FDCA. Thus, the current review focuses on the recent advances in FDCA application and production via catalytic routes, particularly from HMF and other biorenewable feedstocks. Accordingly, the effect of different noble metal and noble metal-free catalytic materials on feedstock conversion and FDCA yield has been discussed. Moreover, the effect of operating conditions such as solvent, bases, oxygen sources, temperature and pressure has been discussed