Acne Scar Management: Minoxidil as a Promising Approach or a Mirage?

Atrophic and hypertrophic scars can result from various conditions, such as acne, trauma, and surgery. Minoxidil, a medication used for the treatment of severe hypertension and hair loss, has been explored as a potential treatment for scars. This review aims to evaluate the current evidence regarding the role of minoxidil in the treatment of scars. Previously published reviews have primarily focused on the use of minoxidil in hair loss and have only briefly mentioned its potential use for scars. However, minoxidil may have a beneficial effect as an antifibrotic agent. Several studies have reported reduced collagen accumulation and fibrosis after treatment with minoxidil. The proposed mechanism of action is inhibition of the production of lysyl hydroxylases (LHs), which modify and cross-link proteins by converting lysine to hydroxylysine, making collagen more resistant to degradation. Minoxidil, as an LH inhibitor, has been shown to potentially benefit wound healing and regeneration in vitro by inhibiting the proliferation and migration of fibroblasts. To date, direct studies of the efficacy of minoxidil in treating acne scars have not been conducted; however, its inhibitory effects on fibroblast function and antifibrotic outcomes in some in vivo studies suggest that such use may be considered

Ameliorative inhibition of sirtuin 6 by imidazole derivative triggers oxidative stress-mediated apoptosis associated with Nrf2/Keap1 signaling in non-small cell lung cancer cell lines

Background: Redox homeostasis is the vital regulatory system with respect to antioxidative response and detoxification. The imbalance of redox homeostasis causes oxidative stress. Nuclear factor-erythroid 2 p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2, also called Nfe2l2)/Kelchlike ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) signaling is the major regulator of redox homeostasis. Nrf2/Keap1 signaling is reported to be involved in cancer cell growth and survival. A high level of Nrf2 in cancers is associated with poor prognosis, resistance to therapeutics, and rapid proliferation, framing Nrf2 as an interesting target in cancer biology. Sirtuins (SIRT1-7) are class III histone deacetylases with NAD + dependent deacetylase activity that have a remarkable impact on antioxidant and redox signaling (ARS) linked with Nrf2 deacetylation thereby increasing its transcription by epigenetic modifications which has been identified as a crucial event in cancer progression under the influence of oxidative stress in various transformed cells. SIRT6 plays an important role in the cytoprotective effect of multiple diseases, including cancer. This study aimed to inhibit SIRT6 using an imidazole derivative, Ethyl 2-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-methyl-1-H-Imidazole-4-yl] acetate, to assess its impact on Nrf2/Keap1 signaling in A549 and NCI-H460 cell lines.Method: Half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of Ethyl 2-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-methyl-1-H-Imidazole-4-yl] acetate was fixed by cell viability assay. The changes in the gene expression of important regulators involved in this study were examined using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and protein expression changes were confirmed by Western blotting. The changes in the antioxidant molecules are determined by biochemical assays. Further, morphological studies were performed to observe the generation of reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial damage, and apoptosis.Results: We inhibited SIRT6 using Ethyl 2-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-methyl-1-H-Imidazole-4-yl] acetate and demonstrated that SIRT6 inhibition impacts the modulation of antioxidant and redox signaling. The level of antioxidant enzymes and percentage of reactive oxygen species scavenging activity were depleted. The morphological studies showed ROS generation, mitochondrial damage, nuclear damage, and apoptosis. The molecular examination of apoptotic factors confirmed apoptotic cell death. Further, molecular studies confirmed the changes in Nrf2 and Keap1 expression during SIRT6 inhibition.Conclusion: The overall study suggests that SIRT6 inhibition by imidazole derivative disrupts Nrf2/Keap1 signaling leading to oxidative stress and apoptosis induction

Botulinum Toxin A for Hair Loss Treatment: A Systematic Review of Efficacy, Safety, and Future Directions

Background: Hair loss is a common condition with significant impact globally, yet its treatment efficacy and safety remain debated. Botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) has emerged as a potential therapeutic option, but a comprehensive review on this topic is lacking. Objective: This review critically evaluates the current evidence on BoNT-A for hair loss treatment, highlighting the gaps in previous reviews and providing a comprehensive analysis of its efficacy, safety, and future prospects. Methods: A systematic search of electronic databases identified relevant studies published up to September 2022. Results: Prior reviews primarily focused on androgenetic alopecia and lacked the evaluation of other alopecia types and underlying mechanisms. Our review addresses this gap, incorporating a broader spectrum of hair loss conditions. Mechanisms of BoNT-A in hair growth modulation, potential side effects, and future research directions are discussed. Conclusion: This review adds to the existing body of knowledge by providing a comprehensive evaluation of BoNT-A in hair loss treatment. The findings will serve as a foundation for further research and guide clinicians in making informed decisions, ultimately improving the outcomes and quality of life for individuals suffering from hair loss

Biomimetic formation of silver oxide nanoparticles through Diospyros montana bark extract: Its application in dye degradation, antibacterial and anticancer effect in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Objectives: Remarkable potential of silver nanoparticles (NPs) makes its use efficient in both biological as well as industrial applications. Post harvested NPs, free from other hazards chemicals will be ideal for biological applications. Thus, plant mediated biological method is much focused than the available approaches. Methods: The present work focusses on fabrication of silver oxide NPs (Ag2ONPs) using methanolic bark extract of Diospyros montana and characterized through sophisticated analytical techniques. Results: UV–Vis indicated Ag2ONPs formation, FTIR analysis identified the functional groups, XRD investigation depicted the face centered cubic crystalline nature, XPS study determined the chemical state, EDX confirmed the purity, spherical shaped and ∼ 10–50 nm size, was evidenced by SEM and TEM respectively. Zeta potential denoted the stability of Ag2ONPs. Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue was observed. Ag2ONPs showed significant anticancer effect against hepatocellular carcinoma cells (Hep G2), which is mediated through increased DNA damage, & autophagy and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential. The synthesized Ag2ONPs revealed significant zone of inhibition in gram-negative (Escherichia coli − 16.33 ± 2.57 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa-18.56 ± 1.57) and positive (Bacillus subtilis-22.26 ± 4.47, Staphylococcus aureus 18.65 ± 3.15) bacteria at 40 µg/mL of Ag2ONPs exhibiting its antibacterial property. Conclusions: This enlightens the synthesis of pure and stable Ag2ONPs by green synthesis unwrapping their pharmacological properties which may play a vital role in nanomedicine anchoring its therapeutic efficiency