Publications by authors named "Lai-chun Lu"
Hypericin, a powerful natural photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy (PDT), is suitable for treating skin diseases involving excess capillary proliferation. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the skin penetrability of topically applied hypericin, expecting a reduced risk of prolonged skin photosensitivity, which often occurs after systemic administration. Firstly, the Franz diffusion cell assays were performed to evaluate the penetration effects of different enhancers, including menthol, propylene glycol, camphanone, azone, and carbamide.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWound healing is a complex pathophysiological process that occurs frequently in everyday pathology and remains a challenge during the treatment of trauma. Previously, we prepared silver nanoparticle/chitosan oligosaccharide/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA/COS-AgNP) nanofibers via an electrospinning technique. These nanofibers promoted the proliferation of human skin fibroblasts (HSFs) and the expression of transforming growth factor TGF-β1 in the early stage of wound repair, although the specific mechanisms remain unclear.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWound healing occupies a remarkable place in everyday pathology and remains a challenging clinical problem. In our previous study, we prepared a silver nanoparticle/chitosan oligosaccharide/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA/COS-AgNPs) nanofiber via electrospinning and revealed that it could promote wound healing; however, the healing mechanism remained unknown. Therefore, we aimed to clarify the mechanism underlying the accelerated healing effect of the PVA/COS-AgNPs nanofiber.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- The study talks about a treatment for port-wine stains (PWSs) called photodynamic therapy (PDT), which uses special light-sensitive drugs, but the usual ones don’t work well and can be harmful over time.
- Researchers found that a drug called hypericin works much better than the usual treatments by killing bad cells when exposed to light and causing a reaction that makes cells die.
- They also learned how hypericin does this and believe it could be a safer and more effective choice for treating PWSs compared to the traditional drug, haematoporphyrin (HP).
Article Synopsis
- Hypericin (HY) is highlighted as a strong photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy (PDT) in treating port-wine stains, which are congenital skin conditions caused by faulty blood vessels.
- In experiments, HY demonstrated notable effectiveness in hindering the growth of human vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) and inducing apoptosis (cell death) more efficiently than another photosensitizer, hematoporphyrin (HP).
- Additionally, studies using a chicken cockscomb model confirmed HY's photocytotoxic effects, characterized by significant changes in mitochondrial structure and increased release of cytochrome c, signaling its potential as a highly effective treatment option for PWS.
To develop an efficient method for extracting and purifying the active ingredient, arctiin, from Fructus arctii and to investigate the protective effect of arctiin against glucose-induced rat aortic endothelial cell (RAEC) injury was investigated. Using a L9 (34) orthogonal array and two-step column chromatography (with AB-8 macroporous resin) arctiin extraction was optimized using a reflux method with 70% ethanol. The RAECs were then treated with different concentrations of arctiin (1, 10, or 100 μg/ml).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDiabetic retinopathy is one of the most common and severe complications of diabetes mellitus. Arctiin, a bioactive compound isolated from the dry seeds of Arctium lappa L., has been reported to have antidiabetic activity.
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