naphthoquinones and Skin-Diseases

Shikonin is one of the primary active components extracted from the dried root of

Topics: Humans; Inflammation; Lithospermum; Naphthoquinones; Skin Diseases

The second article in this continuing medical education series discusses cosmetic practices associated with cultural dermatoses, including hair care, traditional clothing, and skin decorations. Often, the steps individuals take to enhance their physical appearance are determined by cultural perceptions of beauty. Without awareness of cultural practices, a multitude of cutaneous dermatoses may be missed by the dermatologist. Recognition and understanding of patients' cultural backgrounds and habits will allow the practicing dermatologist to offer better counseling and treatment options while providing a more meaningful and understanding physician-patient relationship.

Topics: Beauty; Cosmetic Techniques; Cosmetics; Cultural Characteristics; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Education, Medical, Continuing; Ethnicity; Female; Humans; Incidence; Male; Naphthoquinones; Prognosis; Risk Assessment; Skin Diseases

Although Asian cultural practices, such as acupuncture and threading, are widely used, there is limited medical literature describing their cutaneous effects and complications. This review briefly describes therapeutic cultural practices (traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, cupping, moxibustion, coining, Ayurveda, and aromatherapy) and cosmetic cultural practices (hair oils, henna, bindis, saris, and threading), with particular attention to dermatoses secondary to these practices. Traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda may cause heavy metal toxicity, severe cutaneous adverse reactions, and contact dermatitis. Cupping, moxibustion, and coining lead to dermatoses that may be mistaken for abuse by people unfamiliar with the practices. Hair oils may cause contact dermatitis and folliculitis. Paraphenylenediamine in black henna and bindi dyes and adhesives can cause severe allergic contact dermatitis. The drawstring in saris causes frictional irritation, which can lead to tinea corporis, koebnerization, and even squamous cell carcinoma. Threading may cause folliculitis, impetigo, and verrucae. The increasing prevalence of Asian cultural practices, which are performed inside and outside of Asia in this era of globalization, demands that dermatologists be familiar with the secondary dermatoses that may develop.

Topics: Acupuncture Therapy; Aromatherapy; Asian People; Clothing; Complementary Therapies; Cosmetic Techniques; Cosmetics; Humans; Medicine, Ayurvedic; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Naphthoquinones; Skin Diseases

The activity of β-lapachone (3,4-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-2H-naphthol[1,2-b]pyran-5,6-dione, β-lap) against different stages of Schistosoma mansoni was investigated in mice. Mice infected with 50 cercariae (BH strain) were intraperitoneally treated at a dose of 50 mg/kg for 5 consecutive days, starting on the 1st, 14th, 28th and 45th days after infection, to evaluate the effect of β-lap on skin schistosomula, lung schistosomula, young worms (before oviposition) and adult worms (after oviposition), respectively. All animals were euthanized 60 days after infection. β-Lap significantly reduced (p<0.001) the number of worms in 29.78%, 37.2%, 24.2% and 40.22% when administered during the phases of skin schistosomula, lung schistosomula, young worms and adult worms, respectively. Significant reduction was also achieved in terms of female burden. In all groups, there was significant reduction in the number of eggs and granulomas in the hepatic tissue. When the intervention was performed during the phase of adult worms, β-lap reduced the size of hepatic granulomas and changed the oogram pattern, lowering the percentage of immature eggs and increasing the percentage of mature and dead eggs. Our data indicate that β-lap has moderate antischistosomal properties. Its molecule may also be used as a prototype for synthesis of new naphthoquinone derivatives with potential schistosomicidal properties. Further studies with different formulations containing β-lap are needed to clearly establish the best dose and route of administration and its mechanism of action against schistosomes.

Topics: Animals; Antiparasitic Agents; Female; Granuloma; Life Cycle Stages; Liver; Liver Diseases; Lung; Lung Diseases; Magnoliopsida; Mice; Naphthoquinones; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Schistosoma mansoni; Schistosomiasis mansoni; Skin; Skin Diseases

SQ 26,490, (11 beta, 16 beta)-9-fluoro-1',2',3',4'-tetrahydro-11, 21-dihydroxypregna-1,4-dieno[16,17-b]naphthalene 3,20-dione hydrate (1 : 1), was a moderately potent inhibitor of edema formation in the rat. After extended topical application, SQ 26,490 totally inhibited edema formation without appreciable production of skin atrophy, measured under identical conditions. This atrophy was maintained at a low plateau level of 15-20% at doses beyond those necessary to achieve optimal anti-inflammatory activity. In contrast, the potent corticoids, fluocinolone acetonide and halcinonide, and the moderately potent corticoid, clobetasone butyrate, produced inhibition of edema with a concomitant dose-related atrophy. Hydrocortisone, a weakly potent corticoid, totally inhibited edema and produced at high doses a low atrophy. SQ 26,490 possesses the property for a greater separation of anti-inflammatory and atrophogenic activities than comparative corticoids.

Topics: Administration, Topical; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Atrophy; Chemical Phenomena; Chemistry; Edema; Glucocorticoids; Male; Naphthoquinones; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Skin Diseases