Naturally occurring ingredients as potential antiaging cosmetics

The criteria adopted for establishing whether a determined substance has potential as a cosmetic constituent are based on the present legislation of each country. In this study, natural antiaging constituents as Fomes officinalis, rice protein and glutamic acid were pharmacologically evaluated using neuromuscular preparation. These constituents induced a neuromuscular blockade, individually and also in mixture, simulating a Botox®, but not, dimethylaminoethanol-effect. The pharmacological knowledge is beneficial since the real effect of each ingredient becomes apparent, increasing the consumer's confidence on the antiaging cosmetic.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Naturally occurring ingredients as potential antiaging cosmetics

The criteria adopted for establishing whether a determined substance has potential as a cosmetic constituent are based on the present legislation of each country. In this study, natural antiaging constituents as Fomes officinalis, rice protein and glutamic acid were pharmacologically evaluated using neuromuscular preparation. These constituents induced a neuromuscular blockade, individually and also in mixture, simulating a Botox®, but not, dimethylaminoethanol-effect. The pharmacological knowledge is beneficial since the real effect of each ingredient becomes apparent, increasing the consumer's confidence on the antiaging cosmetic.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Assessment of Cytotoxicity, Fetotoxicity, and Teratogenicity of Plathymenia reticulata Benth Barks Aqueous Extract

Scientific assessment of harmful interactions of chemicals over the entire reproductive cycle are divided into three segments based on the period: from premating and mating to implantation (I), from implantation to major organogenesis (II), and late pregnancy and postnatal development (III). We combined the segments I and II to assess Plathymenia reticulata aqueous extract safety. in order to investigate reproductive toxicity (segment I), pregnant rats received orally 0.5 or 1.0 g/kg of extract, daily, during 18 days. These concentrations were determined by a preliminary in vitro LD50 test in CHO-k1 cells. A control group received deionized water. the offspring was removed at the 19th day, by caesarean, and a teratology study (segment II) was carried out. the corpora lutea, implants, resorptions, live, and dead fetuses were then counted. Placenta and fetuses were weighted. External and visceral morphology were provided by the fixation of fetuses in Bouin, whereas skeletal analysis was carried out on the diaphanizated ones. the increase in the weights of placenta and fetuses was the only abnormality observed. Since there was no sign of alteration on reproduction parameters at our experimental conditions, we conclude that P. reticulata aqueous extract is safe at 0.5 to 1.0 g/kg and is not considered teratogenic.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Univ Sorocaba, Postgrad Program Pharmaceut Sci, UNISO, BR-18023000 Sorocaba, SP, BrazilFed Univ Pampa, CIPBiotec, UNIPAMPA, BR-97300000 Sao Gabriel, RS, BrazilFed Univ Tocantins, PGCiamb, Postgrad Course Environm Sci, BR-77001090 Tocantins, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, UNIFESP, BR-09972270 Diadema, SP, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, UNIFESP, BR-09972270 Diadema, SP, BrazilFAPESP: 04/09705-8FAPESP: 07/53883-6FAPESP: 08/52643-4CNPq: 35.0798/2004-4Web of Scienc

Naturally occurring ingredients as potential antiaging cosmetics

The criteria adopted for establishing whether a determined substance has potential as a cosmetic constituent are based on the present legislation of each country. In this study, natural antiaging constituents as Fomes officinalis, rice protein and glutamic acid were pharmacologically evaluated using neuromuscular preparation. These constituents induced a neuromuscular blockade, individually and also in mixture, simulating a Botox®, but not, dimethylaminoethanol-effect. The pharmacological knowledge is beneficial since the real effect of each ingredient becomes apparent, increasing the consumer's confidence on the antiaging cosmetic.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Influência do fenobarbital no bloqueio neuromuscular produzido pelo rocurônio em ratos

PURPOSE: To evaluate in vitro and in vivo neuromuscular blockade produced by rocuronium in rats treated with Phenobarbital and to determine cytochrome P450 and cytochrome b5 concentrations in hepatic microsomes. METHODS: Thirty rats were included in the study and distributed into 6 groups of 5 animals each. Rats were treated for seven days with phenobarbital (20 mg/kg) and the following parameters were evaluated: 1) the amplitude of muscle response in the preparation of rats exposed to phenobarbital; 2) rocuronium effect on rat preparation exposed or not to phenobarbital; 3) concentrations of cytochrome P450 and cytochrome b5 in hepatic microsomes isolated from rats exposed or not to phenobarbital. The concentration and dose of rocuronium used in vitro and in vivo experiments were 4 µg/mL and 0,6 mg/kg, respectively. RESULTS: Phenobarbital in vitro and in vivo did not alter the amplitude of muscle response. The neuromuscular blockade in vitro produced by rocuronium was significantly different (p=0.019) between exposed (20%) and not exposed (60%) rats; the blockade in vivo was significantly greater (p=0.0081) in treated rats (93.4%). The enzymatic concentrations were significantly greater in rats exposed to phenobarbital. CONCLUSIONS: Phenobarbital alone did not compromise neuromuscular transmission. It produced enzymatic induction, and neuromuscular blockade in vivo produced by rocuronium was potentiated by phenobarbital.OBJETIVO: Avaliar in vitro e in vivo o bloqueio neuromuscular produzido pelo rocurônio em ratos tratados com fenobarbital e determinar as concentrações de citocromo P450 e b5 em microssomos hepáticos. MÉTODOS: Trinta ratos foram incluídos no estudo e distribuídos em seis grupos de cinco animais cada. Ratos foram tratados por sete dias com fenobarbital (20 mg/kg) e avaliou-se: 1) amplitude das respostas musculares em preparação de ratos expostos ao fenobarbital; 2) o efeito do rocurônio em preparações de ratos expostos ou não ao fenobarbital; 3) as concentrações de citocromo P450 e b5 em microssomos isolados de fígados dos ratos expostos ou não ao fenobarbital. A concentração e dose de rocurônio utilizadas nos experimentos in vitro e in vivo foram respectivamente de 4 µg/mL e 0,6 mg/kg. RESULTADOS: In vitro e in vivo, o fenobarbital não alterou a amplitude das respostas musculares. In vitro, o bloqueio produzido pelo rocurônio foi significativamente diferente (p=0.019) entre expostos (20%) e não expostos (60%); in vivo o bloqueio foi significativamente maior (p=0.0081) nos ratos tratados (93,4%). As concentrações enzimáticas foram significativamente maiores nos ratos expostos ao fenobarbital. CONCLUSÕES: O fenobarbital isoladamente não comprometeu a transmissão neuromuscular. Ocasionou indução enzimática, e in vivo o bloqueio com o rocurônio foi potencializado pelo fenobarbital.34334

The Triterpenoid Betulin Protects against the Neuromuscular Effects ofBothrops jararacussuSnake VenomIn Vivo

[EN] We confirmed the ability of the triterpenoid betulin to protect against neurotoxicity caused by Bothrops jararacussu snake venom in vitro in mouse isolated phrenic nerve-diaphragm (PND) preparations and examined its capability of in vivo protection using the rat external popliteal/sciatic nerve-tibialis anterior (EPSTA) preparation. Venom caused complete, irreversible blockade in PND (40 g/mL), but only partial blockade (∼30%) in EPSTA (3.6 mg/kg, i.m.) after 120 min. In PND, preincubation of venom with commercial bothropic antivenom (CBA) attenuated the venom-induced blockade, and, in EPSTA, CBA given i.v. 15 min after venom also attenuated the blockade (by ∼70% in both preparations). Preincubation of venom with betulin (200 g/mL) markedly attenuated the venom-induced blockade in PND; similarly, a single dose of betulin (20 mg, i.p., 15 min after venom) virtually abolished the venom-induced decrease in contractility. Plasma creatine kinase activity was significantly elevated 120 min after venom injection in the EPSTA but was attenuated by CBA and betulin. These results indicate that betulin given i.p. has a similar efficacy as CBA given i.v. in attenuating the neuromuscular effects of B. jararacussu venom in vivo and could be a useful complementary measure to antivenom therapy for treating snakebite

Anti-Inflammatory and Antibothropic Properties of Jatropha Elliptica, a Plant from Brazilian Cerrado Biome

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibothropic and anti-inflammatory properties of J. elliptica. Methods: Phytochemical screening and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) assays were performed on J. elliptica hydroalcoholic extract (TE) in order to observe its main constituents. The antibothropic activity of TE was evaluated by the in vitro neuromuscular blockade caused by Bothrops jararacussu venom (Bjssu), in a mouse phrenic nerve-diaphragm model (PND). A quantitative histological study was carried out to observe a possible protection of TE against the venom myotoxicity. The anti-inflammatory activity was also evaluated in two models, Bjssu-induced paw edema, and carrageenan-induced neutrophils migration in the peritoneal cavity. Results: TLC analysis revealed several compounds in TE, such as saponins, alkaloids, and phenolic constituents. TE was able to neutralize the blockade and the myotoxicity induced by venom, when it was pre-incubated for 30 min with venom. In addition, it showed anti-inflammatory activity, inducing less neutrophils migration and reducing paw edema. Conclusion: J. elliptica showed both antibothropic and anti-inflammatory properties