apigenin and Dermatitis--Contact

Topics: Chamomile; Colic; Conjunctivitis; Cyclosporine; Dermatitis; Dermatitis, Contact; Diarrhea; Dyspepsia; Female; Flowers; Herb-Drug Interactions; Humans; Infant; Lactation; Morning Sickness; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Plant Preparations; Pregnancy; Warfarin

We report on 161 patients suffering from inflammatory dermatoses on hands, forearms, and lower legs who had been initially treated with 0.1% difluocortolone valerate. During the maintenance therapy carried out over a period of 3 to 4 weeks, we tested the efficacy of Kamillosan cream vs. 0.25% hydrocortisone, 0.75% fluocortin butyl ester, and 5% bufexamac in a bilateral comparative study. For the indications tested Kamillosan cream showed more or less equieffective therapeutic results as compared to 0.25% hydrocortisone. It is superior, however, to the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent 5% bufexamac as well as to 0.75% fluocortin butyl ester, a further glucocorticoid. With regard to neurodermitis, Kamillosan cream not only shows the same therapeutic effect as 0.25% hydrocortisone but is even of marked superiority towards other reference products.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Bufexamac; Chamomile; Clinical Trials as Topic; Dermatitis; Dermatitis, Contact; Dermatitis, Seborrheic; Diflucortolone; Female; Fluocortolone; Humans; Hydrocortisone; Hydroxamic Acids; Male; Middle Aged; Neurodermatitis; Oils, Volatile; Ointments; Plant Extracts; Plants, Medicinal

There is a major clinical need for new therapies for the treatment of chronic itch. Many of the molecular components involved in itch neurotransmission are known, including the neuropeptide NPPB, a transmitter required for normal itch responses to multiple pruritogens in mice. Here, we investigated the potential for a novel strategy for the treatment of itch that involves the inhibition of the NPPB receptor NPR1 (natriuretic peptide receptor 1). Because there are no available effective human NPR1 (hNPR1) antagonists, we performed a high-throughput cell-based screen and identified 15 small-molecule hNPR1 inhibitors. Using in vitro assays, we demonstrated that these compounds specifically inhibit hNPR1 and murine NPR1 (mNPR1). In vivo, NPR1 antagonism attenuated behavioral responses to both acute itch- and chronic itch-challenged mice. Together, our results suggest that inhibiting NPR1 might be an effective strategy for treating acute and chronic itch.

Topics: Animals; Behavior, Animal; Cell-Free System; Dermatitis, Contact; Disease Models, Animal; Ganglia, Spinal; Humans; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Knockout; Neurons; Pruritus; Receptors, Atrial Natriuretic Factor; Reproducibility of Results; Signal Transduction; Small Molecule Libraries

Two oil-in-water formulations, containing equal amounts of apigenin-enriched chamomile flower extracts, for potential use as topical antiinflammatory agents, were prepared and their physicochemical properties evaluated. A pilot clinical study was then carried out to assess patient acceptability and efficacy. The creams were either non-liposomal or liposomal. The liposomal formulations were more viscous, thus producing superior release characteristics in vitro. The clinical study also showed that the liposomal creams were, as antiinflammatory agents, slightly more effective in vivo than the non-liposomal formulations. These results suggest that there is scope for the further development of even more effective and safer alternatives to corticosteroids.

Topics: Administration, Topical; Adult; Aged; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Apigenin; Chamomile; Dermatitis, Contact; Humans; Liposomes; Middle Aged; Ointments; Phytotherapy; Pilot Projects; Plant Extracts; Skin

Topics: Adult; Breast Feeding; Chamomile; Dermatitis, Contact; Female; Flavonoids; Humans; Nipples; Oils, Volatile; Ointments; Plants, Medicinal

Experimentally induced toxic contact dermatitis was topically treated with 3 different ointments (Kamillosan ointment, Kamillosan ointment base. 0.1% hydrocortisone acetate). The structural changes of the epidermal surface were studied by means of profilometry. According to our results, Kamillosan ointment is remarkably superior to other reference products with regard to its soothing effect on human skin.

Topics: Chamomile; Dermatitis, Contact; Drug Combinations; Humans; Oils, Volatile; Ointments; Plant Extracts; Plants, Medicinal; Sesquiterpenes; Skin; Wound Healing

Topics: Chamomile; Dermatitis, Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Facial Dermatoses; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Oils, Volatile; Plant Extracts; Plants, Medicinal