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Background: Repeated acute exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) rays can cause photoaging. Musa balbisiana peel contains flavonoid compounds which act as antioxidants. However, the physicochemicals of flavonoids are unstable, have high molecular weight, and are easily oxidized, causing their use is still limited and transdermal delivery to be inefficient., Aim: To investigate the ameliorative effect of transfersome gel of M. balbisiana peels against photoaging in Wistar rat skin., Methods: Transfersome gel was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In vivo research was used to determine the ameliorative effects of M. balbisiana peel. The composition of transfersome consists of ethanol extracts of M. balbisiana peel, soybean phosphatidylcholine, and tween 80. The gel was applied three times a week for 4 weeks with a total UVB radiation dose of 840 mJ/cm 2 . To evaluate the repair mechanism by measuring the degree of wrinkles, epidermal thickening, dermal thinning, collagen fiber irregularity, matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1), and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) expression, malondialdehyde (MDA) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) levels., Results: TEM results show that gel transfersome M. balbisiana peel has a round morphology with a diameter of ±50 nm and no aggregation, which are defined as nanoparticles. Transfersome gel ameliorated the degree of wrinkle, epidermal thickening, dermal thinning, and irregularity of collagen fibers caused by UVB exposure, suppresses lipid peroxidation by decreasing MDA and TNFα level, also collagen imbalance by inhibiting MMP-1 expression and activating TGF-β expression, which was found statistically significantly different from non-transfersome gel group., Conclusion: Transfersome gel of M. balbisiana peel can act as an alternative medicine to ameliorate clinical photoaging due to exposure to UVB., Competing Interests: The authors declare they have no conflicts of interest.

Background: Diabetes mellitus-induced hyperglycemia increases oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokine production, which play a significant role in the damage and apoptosis of pancreatic β cells. Therefore, the administration of medications that can reduce oxidative stress and inflammation plays an important role in diabetes treatment. Objective: To probe the Clinacanthus nutans leaf extract effect on oxidative stress and inflammatory markers and the Langerhans islet area in diabetic rat models. Design: An experimental laboratory in the animal model. Methods: Twenty-five diabetic rat models were randomly assigned into 5 clusters. Clusters 1, 2, and 3 were administered with C. nutans leaf extract in aqueous suspension with vehicle 1% Na-CMC at 75 mg/kg body weight (BW), 150 mg/kg BW, and 300 mg/kg BW, respectively. Cluster 4 was diabetic control rats administered with metformin at a 21 mg/rat dose. Cluster 5 was a control diabetic rat only administered with 1% Na-CMC suspension. Treatment was administered orally for 14 days. On the 15th day, the rats were sacrificed to obtain blood samples and pancreatic tissues. Serum interleukin (IL)-6, malondialdehyde (MDA), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Histopathological examination was performed by counting the Langerhans islet areas. Results: The average IL-6, MDA, and TNF-α levels declined in the cluster receiving C. nutans extract and were significantly different from the untreated cluster (P <.05). Histopathological examination revealed a significant upsurge in the Langerhans islets area in diabetic rats receiving C. nutans extract at doses of 75 and 150 mg/kg (P <.05). Conclusion: C. nutans leaf extract reduced the serum MDA, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels, and increased the Langerhans islets area in a diabetic rat model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

WHO will announce the end of the Covid-19 pandemic, but the use of hand sanitizer is likely to become a positive new habit. Frequent use of hand sanitizers can cause effects, including dry hands, and even some people experience allergies to the skin of their hands due to the high alcohol content. It is necessary to look for alternative natural ingredients that do not have side effects but still have effective benefits. The research method begins with the manufacture of ethanol extract and aqueous extract of Piper crocatum and Alpinia galanga. All extracts were made into 5%, 10%, 15%, 25%, and 50% and then into a liquid soaking carp meat pieces that had been put into a test tube. Positive control used alcohol and sterile aqua. The ethanol extract of Piper crocatum 50% and 25% and the ethanol extract of Alpinia galanga 50% and 25% which had the best antimicrobial ability on day 19. The phytochemical test results showed that the ethanol extract of Piper crocatum contained alkaloids, tannins, steroids, and titerpenoids. Phytochemical test of ethanol extract of Alpinia galanga contained flavonoids, tannins, steroids, and titerpenoids. In conclusion, the ethanolic extract of Piper crocatum 50% and then 25% had the best antimicrobial ability, followed by the ethanolic extract of Alpinia galanga 50% and 25%. In the next stage, the best ethanol extract will be tested for microbes in a petri dish, before being used as a raw ingredient for hand sanitizer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]