Vasoconstriction and anti-inflammatory properties of the selective α-adrenergic receptor agonist brimonidine.

Background: The facial erythema of rosacea is recognized as the most prevalent and most difficult manifestation of rosacea to treat. A recent approach in patients with rosacea has been to reduce this erythema through vasoconstriction of cutaneous blood vessels by selectively targeting α2-adrenergic receptors with brimonidine.

Objective: To further investigate the pharmacodynamic profile of brimonidine, its vasoconstrictive effects and its anti-inflammatory properties.

Epidermal anti-Inflammatory properties of 5,11,14 20:3: effects on mouse ear edema, PGE2 levels in cultured keratinocytes, and PPAR activation.

Background: 5,11,14 20:3 is similar to 20:4n-6 but lacks the internal Delta8 double bond essential for prostaglandin and eicosanoid synthesis. When previously fed to laboratory animals as a gymnosperm seed oil component it has shown anti-inflammatory properties.

Results: Herein, topically applied Podocarpus nagi methyl esters (containing 26% 5,11,14 20:3) were incorporated into mouse ear phospholipids, reduced 20:4n-6, and reduced 20:4n-6- and TPA-induced mouse ear edema.