Comparative efficacy of essential oils against Cutibacterium acnes: Effect upon strains from phylotypes with different virulence patterns.

Objectives: Despite being a commensal of human skin, Cutibacterium acnes plays an important role in the pathogenesis of Acne vulgaris, with the loss of bacterial phylotype diversity being related to disease progression. This study evaluated differences in the virulence profile of C. acnes strains from different phylotypes and investigated the possible phylotype-selective efficacy of essential oils (EOs) from Thymus x citriodorus (TC), Thymus mastichina, and Cistus ladanifer compared to Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree), focusing on both planktonic and biofilm growth forms, the latter being related with pathogenesis and treatment resistance.

Development and Characterization of Sodium Bicarbonate-Based Gel for Cytolytic Vaginosis.

Cytolytic vaginosis or, classically, Doderlein's cytolysis is characterized by significant growth of species of the genus, which leads to high amounts of lactic acid in the vaginal environment. has been proposed as a key pathogen in this clinical condition. The symptomatology of cytolytic vaginosis is commonly confused with that of vulvovaginal candidosis, leading to inadequate and ineffective azole therapies.

Quantification of Ions in Human Urine-A Review for Clinical Laboratories.

Urine is an organic fluid produced by the kidney, and its analysis is one of the most requested laboratory tests by clinicians. The ionic composition of urine has been shown to be a good health indicator: it is useful for the diagnosis of several diseases, as well as monitoring therapeutics. This review considers laboratorial techniques that have been used throughout time for the quantification of ions in urine, and also considers some methodologies that can potentially be used in clinical laboratories for this kind of analysis.

Imiquimod-Loaded Nanosystem for Treatment Human Papillomavirus-Induced Lesions.

Human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cervical cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. The treatment options are strongly related to increased infertility in women. Imiquimod (IQ) is an imidazoquinoline, which has proven antiviral effects against persistent HPV infection by activating immune cells via Toll-like receptors 7/8 when formulated in carriers, like nanogels, for topical use.

Humulus lupulus aqueous extract and hydrolate as a potential ingredient for cosmetics: chemical characterization and in vitro antimicrobial, cytotoxicity, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory assessment.

Unlabelled: Humulus lupulus extracts have in their composition different molecules, such as polyphenols, α-acids, β-acids, and hydrocarbons, which contribute to the plant's medicinal properties. These molecules are associated with antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

Objective: This work focuses on the evaluation of H.

Uncovering the Yeast Diversity in the Female Genital Tract: An Exploration of Spatial Distribution and Antifungal Resistance.

is the leading cause of vulvovaginal yeast infections; however, other species are becoming relevant in this niche. The spatial distribution of these fungi in the female genital tract remains poorly understood. In this study, swab samples were collected from 33 patients, first from the anterior vulva and then from the upper third and right lateral wall of the vagina: 16 were with symptoms of vulvovaginal candidiasis and 17 were without characteristic symptoms; furthermore, the genus and species of each isolate were identified.

Vaginal Sheets with Essential Oil for the Treatment of Bacterial Vaginosis: Design, Characterization and Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety.

We aimed to incorporate essential oil (TCEO), a potent antimicrobial natural product against bacterial vaginosis (BV)-related bacteria, in a suitable drug delivery system. We used vaginal sheets as dosage form to promote immediate relief of the typical abundant vaginal discharge with unpleasant odour. Excipients were selected to promote the healthy vaginal environment reestablishment and bioadhesion of formulations, while the TCEO acts directly on BV pathogens.

Thymus mastichina (L.) L. and Cistus ladanifer L. for skin application: chemical characterization and in vitro bioactivity assessment.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Thymus mastichina (L.) L. (TM) and Cistus ladanifer L.

Reconstructed Human Epidermis: An Alternative Approach for In Vitro Bioequivalence Testing of Topical Products.

The use of in vitro human skin permeation tests is of value when addressing the quality and equivalence of topical drug products in Europe and the US. Human skin is the membrane of choice for these studies. The use of human skin as a membrane is hindered by limited access, high variability of results, and limited applicability for drugs with low skin permeability.

Vulvovaginal Candida albicans Clinical Isolates’ Resistance to Phagocytosis In-Vitro.

Previous studies have revealed that Candida albicans isolates involved in chronic vulvovaginal candidosis (cVVC) phenotypically express less virulent traits than clinical isolates involved in sporadic infections. In this study, we aimed to further explore this finding by studying the behaviour of those same clinical isolates in in-vitro models of infection. Eighteen clinical Candida albicans isolates were collected from women suffering sporadic (eight isolates) or chronic infections (ten isolates).

Cervicovaginal loads of spp. are increased in immunocompetent women with persistent high-risk human papillomavirus infection.

Two high-oncogenic-risk human papilomavirus (hrHPV) genotypes - HPV16 and HPV18 - cause most of the cases of cervical cancer worldwide. Bacterial vaginosis is associated with increased hrHPV persistence, although the mechanism underlying this association remains unclear. spp.

Drug Formulations for Localized Treatment of Human Papillomavirus-Induced Lesions.

Background: The human papillomavirus (HPV) is responsible for over 90% of all cervical cancer cases. The use of vaginal gels is often indicated for local vaginal drug delivery. Previous studies have shown that Thymus vulgaris essential oil (TEO) exhibits anticancer properties besides antifungal and antibacterial properties.

Women's preferences and acceptance for different drug delivery routes and products.

To use or not to use, that is the first decision to take regarding a drug product. This mandatory step for adherence dictates product efficacy. The determinants for such decision do not only rely on the priority of the therapeutic or preventive strategy, but are related to a complex network of perceptions, preferences, personal and cultural backgrounds, and results from previous experiences.

Chemical characterization and bioactive potential of Thymus×citriodorus (Pers.) Schreb. preparations for anti-acne applications: Antimicrobial, anti-biofilm, anti-inflammatory and safety profiles.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Thymus × citriodorus (Pers.) Schreb. is an interspecific hybrid between Thymus pulegioides and Thymus vulgaris, known for its pharmacological activities as diaphoretic, deodorant, antiseptic and disinfectant, the last mostly related with its antimicrobial activity.

Allergic vulvovaginitis: a systematic literature review.

Purpose: Despite the vaginal mucosa is able to respond to allergenic stimuli, vaginal allergic responses have been under investigated in clinical practice. Thus, we aimed to identify the most frequent etiological agents responsible for vulvovaginal allergies, the prevalent signs/symptoms, and the diagnostic tests applied in this clinical condition.

Methods: Literature search was performed on PubMed, Scopus, Scielo, Web of Science, and EMBASE.

Ecotoxicity of plant extracts and essential oils: A review.

Plant-based products such as essential oils and other extracts have been used for centuries due to their beneficial properties. Currently, their use is widely disseminated through a variety of industries and new applications are continuously emerging. For these reasons, they are produced industrially in large quantities and consequently they have the potential to reach the environment.

Virulence Factors as Promoters of Chronic Vulvovaginal Candidosis: A Review.

Introduction: The vast majority of the species of the genus Candida spp. is commensal in humans; however, some are opportunistic pathogens that can cause infection, called candidosis. Among the different types of candidosis, we highlight the vulvovaginal (VVC) which can occur in two main clinical variants: chronic (cVVC) and episodic or sporadic.

Aptamer-Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery to Gynecological Carcinoma Cells.

Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers and is one of the major cause of deaths in women, especially in underdeveloped countries. The patients are usually treated with surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. However, these treatments can cause several side effects and may lead to infertility.

Evaluation of overtime phenotypic variation of yeasts in chronic vulvovaginal candidosis cases.

Chronic vulvovaginal candidosis results either from reinfection or from the ability of Candida spp. to persist in the vulva and/or vagina. Persistence is usually associated with increased antifungal (mainly azoles) resistance rates, which can explain treatment failure, and/or increased expression of virulence factors by Candida spp.

Development of a new multiplex PCR to detect prevalent species of house dust mites in house dust.

and are the most common House Dust Mite (HDM) species in home environments worldwide and responsible for HDM allergy. Since the prevalence of HDM-related clinical conditions is linked to exposure to the mite itself, the detection of HDM in the human households gains importance. We aimed to develop a fast and accessible multiplex PCR to detect and distinguish two relevant HDM species in house dust.

Dequalinium Chloride Effectively Disrupts Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) spp. Biofilms.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most frequent vaginal infection worldwide. It is caused by the overgrowth of anaerobic vaginal pathogens such as spp. BV has been associated with the occurrence of dense multispecies biofilms on the vaginal mucosa.

Species Distribution and Antifungal Susceptibility Profiles of Isolates from Women with Nonrecurrent and Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis.

Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC) is caused by spp., a vaginal colonizer. Despite the clinical importance of RVVC, little is known regarding the characteristics of the disease in Portugal.

Sodium bicarbonate gels: a new promising strategy for the treatment of vulvovaginal candidosis.

Vulvovaginal candidosis (VVC), caused mainly by the yeast Candida albicans, is the second most prevalent vaginal infection. It has been found to have a large impact on women's quality of life, self-esteem and routines. The prevalence of recurrent vulvovaginal candidosis (RVVC) remains high so the development of alternative treatments is needed.