Acne Medications

In this study we aim to document the use of animal species in traditional medicine and healing practices in the semi-arid region of Northeastern Brazil. While widespread and of great importance to large population that has limited access to contemporary medicine, such practices are poorly understood and the potential value of medicinal animal species largely unknown.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Based on interviews with merchants of medicinal animals, we calculated the Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) to determine the consensus over which species are effective for particular ailments, as well as the species relative importance to determine the extent of potential utilization of each species.

RESULTS:
We describe the therapeutic effects of 36 animal species used medicinally. The zootherapeutical products sold commercially are used to treat 40 health problems that were classified into 10 broad categories. We also highlight those species valued for their effectiveness against a range of ailments. The highest ICF value (0.91) was cited for diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, which include relief of symptoms such as topical acne scar medications and furuncles.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION:
This study demonstrates that many animal species play an important role in healing practices. Animals provide the raw materials for remedies prescribed clinically and are also used in the form of amulets and charms in magic-religious rituals and ceremonies. The medicinal value of animal species depends on the local knowledge that exists within user communities and therefore the conservation of animal species is imperative to the preservation of local medicinal knowledge and culture.


Commercialization of animal-derived remedies as complementary medicine in the semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2009 May 4; Alves RR, Neto NA, Brooks SE, Albuquerque UPAIM OF THE STUDY

Expert Opin Drug Deliv. 2009 May; 6(5): 465-83Trapasso E, Cosco D, Celia C, Fresta M, Paolino DBACKGROUND: Retinoids represent an old class of bioactives used in the treatment of different skin pathologies (such as acne and psoriasis) and in the treatment of many tumors. Unfortunately, they present several side effects, i.e., burning of skin and general malaise after systemic administration and they are very unstable after exposition to light. METHODS: One of the most promising new approaches for reducing the side effects of retinoids while improving their pharmacological effect is the use of drug-delivery devices. This review explains the current status of retinoid drug transport, which has been developing over the last few years, explaining the modification of their biopharmaceutical properties in detail after encapsulation/inclusion in vesicular and polymeric systems. RESULTS/CONCLUSION: Different colloidal and micellar systems containing retinoid drugs have been realized furnishing important potential advancements in traditional therapy.

Int J Dermatol. 2009 May; 48(5): 498-505Yahya HBACKGROUND: Community-based studies of acne vulgaris conducted in many parts of the world show that it is very common in adolescents but little is known from Africa. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, 539 randomly selected students aged 11-19 years in a secondary school in Kaduna, Nigeria were administered a questionnaire to assess self-report of acne, its severity and impact; beliefs and perceptions of causes, and treatments used. 418 students were later examined to detect and grade acne severity. RESULTS: 274 (50.8%) were male while 265 (49.2%) were female. Mean age for respondents was 16 years. 320 students (59.4%) self-reported acne. Of 418 students examined, 379 had acne giving a prevalence of 90.7%. There was no significant gender difference in prevalence at all ages of adolescence. Prevalence of acne increased with age (76.7% at age 10-13 years; 88.2% at age 14-16 years; 97.1% at age 17-19 years). 353 of 379 (93.1%) had mild acne while 26 of 379 (6.9%) had moderate acne. The severity of acne was similar in boys and girls. 47.7% of students reported feeling "very sad/unhappy" about their acne although in more than 70% of those who self-reported, this did not interfere with relationship with family, friends or school work. Diet was the commonest factor believed to cause acne. Cleansing agents were the most commonly used treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Acne vulgaris is very common in Nigerian adolescents, although it is mild acne in most.

Lancet. 2009 May 2; 373(9674): 1525-31Pirker R, Pereira JR, Szczesna A, von Pawel J, Krzakowski M, Ramlau R, Vynnychenko I, Park K, Yu CT, Ganul V, Roh JK, Bajetta E, O'Byrne K, de Marinis F, Eberhardt W, Goddemeier T, Emig M, Gatzemeier U, BACKGROUND: Use of cetuximab, a monoclonal antibody targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), has the potential to increase survival in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. We therefore compared chemotherapy plus cetuximab with chemotherapy alone in patients with advanced EGFR-positive non-small-cell lung cancer. METHODS: In a multinational, multicentre, open-label, phase III trial, chemotherapy-naive patients (>or=18 years) with advanced EGFR-expressing histologically or cytologically proven stage wet IIIB or stage IV non-small-cell lung cancer were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to chemotherapy plus cetuximab or just chemotherapy. Chemotherapy was cisplatin 80 mg/m(2) intravenous infusion on day 1, and vinorelbine 25 mg/m(2) intravenous infusion on days 1 and 8 of every 3-week cycle) for up to six cycles. Cetuximab-at a starting dose of 400 mg/m(2) intravenous infusion over 2 h on day 1, and from day 8 onwards at 250 mg/m(2) over 1 h per week-was continued after the end of chemotherapy until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity had occurred. The primary endpoint was overall survival. Analysis was by intention to treat. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00148798. FINDINGS: Between October, 2004, and January, 2006, 1125 patients were randomly assigned to chemotherapy plus cetuximab (n=557) or chemotherapy alone (n=568). Patients given chemotherapy plus cetuximab survived longer than those in the chemotherapy-alone group (median 11.3 months vs 10.1 months; hazard ratio for death 0.871 [95% CI 0.762-0.996]; p=0.044). The main cetuximab-related adverse event was acne-like rash (57 [10%] of 548, grade 3). INTERPRETATION: Addition of cetuximab to platinum-based chemotherapy represents a new treatment option for patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. FUNDING: Merck KGaA.