Label-free mapping of cetuximab in multi-layered tumor oral mucosa models by atomic force-microscopy-based infrared spectroscopy.

Sensitive mapping of drugs and drug delivery systems is pivotal for the understanding and improvement of treatment options. Since labeling alters the physicochemical and potentially the pharmacological properties of the molecule of interest, its label-free detection by photothermal expansion is investigated. We report on a proof-of-concept study to map the cetuximab distribution by atomic-force microscopy-based infrared spectroscopy (AFM-IR).

Perspectives of topical formulations for melasma.

Melasma is acquired hyperpigmentation that mainly affects the face, can cause negative changes in self-esteem, and mostly affects women. Treatment is difficult, and different drugs can be used in mono or combination therapy. In this article, we present a brief overview of melasma, how to evaluate it, and a synthesis of the most commonly used topical therapies and their indications, including sunscreens, pharmacological agents, and plant extracts.

A review of alternative methods to the use of animals in safety evaluation of cosmetics.

Alternative methods to the use of animals in research have been a global trend, mainly after the publication of the 3R's principle (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement), proposed by Russel and Burch. In the cosmetic sector, safety and efficacy assessments using animals have generated controversial debates. For this reason, in vitro research techniques are widely used to assess acute toxicity; corrosivity and irritation; skin sensitization; dermal and percutaneous absorption; repeated dose toxicity; reproductive toxicity; mutagenicity and genotoxicity; carcinogenicity; toxicokinetic studies; photo-induced toxicity; and human data.

Formulating SLN and NLC as Innovative Drug Delivery Systems for Non-Invasive Routes of Drug Administration.

Colloidal carriers diverge depending on their composition, ability to incorporate drugs and applicability, but the common feature is the small average particle size. Among the carriers with the potential nanostructured drug delivery application there are SLN and NLC. These nanostructured systems consist of complex lipids and highly purified mixtures of glycerides having varying particle size.

Ultrastructural and Molecular Analysis of Ribose-Induced Glycated Reconstructed Human Skin.

Aging depicts one of the major challenges in pharmacology owing to its complexity and heterogeneity. Thereby, advanced glycated end-products modify extracellular matrix proteins, but the consequences on the skin barrier function remain heavily understudied. Herein, we utilized transmission electron microscopy for the ultrastructural analysis of ribose-induced glycated reconstructed human skin (RHS).

Solid lipid nanoparticles optimized by 2 factorial design for skin administration: Cytotoxicity in NIH3T3 fibroblasts.

The present study focuses on the characterization of the cytotoxic profile on NIH3T3 mouse embryonic fibroblasts of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) optimized by a 2 full factorial design for skin administration. To build up the surface response charts, a design of experiments (DoE) based on 2 independent variables was used to obtain an optimized formulation. The effect of the composition of lipid and water phases on the mean particle size (z-AVE), polydispersity index (PdI) and zeta potential (ZP) was studied.

Comparative Study of Glyceryl Behenate or Polyoxyethylene 40 Stearate-Based Lipid Carriers for Trans-Resveratrol Delivery: Development, Characterization and Evaluation of the In Vitro Tyrosinase Inhibition.

Trans-resveratrol (RSV) is a natural compound with several properties, such as the ability to inhibit the tyrosinase enzyme, with potential application as a skin-lightning agent and for the treatment of skin disorders associated with hyperpigmentation and melanogenesis. However, the drug faces several drawbacks which altogether limit its therapeutic application. Thus, drug loading into nanocarriers emerge as an alternative to circumvent these problems.

Nanotechnology-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Melanoma Antitumoral Therapy: A Review.

Melanoma (MEL) is a less common type of skin cancer, but it is more aggressive with a high mortality rate. The World Cancer Research Fund International (GLOBOCAN 2012) estimates that there were 230,000 new cases of MEL in the world in 2012. Conventional MEL treatment includes surgery and chemotherapy, but many of the chemotherapeutic agents used present undesirable properties.