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Background: Coal tar is one of the most preferred and frequently used medicinal agents in various dermatological diseases. However, the coal tar formulations available for clinical use suffer from the limitation of staining clothes and skin, eventually leading to a high degree of patient non-compliance. Objective: To test the staining property of a lecithinized formulation vis-a-vis a conventional formulation of coal tar employing different types of fabric. Methods: Six fabrics with different blends of cotton and polyester were employed to test the staining and washability of two coal tar formulations following application for 24 hours and 48 hours. Results: The study revealed the distinct superiority of the lecithinized coal tar formulation vis-a-vis the conventional marketed formulation due to its markedly reduced staining and easier washability. A significant reduction in the staining of fabrics containing polyester was observed with the lecithinized formulation, with the stain becoming progressively worse as the proportion of polyester in the fabric increased. The stains washed off completely with detergent in the case of the lecithinized coal tar formulation, whereas stains from the conventional coal tar formulation remained intact. Conclusion: The developed lecithinized formulation, owing to its superior non-staining and washability characteristics, would potentially increase the acceptability of coal tar amongst patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Coal tar has been a very popular traditional treatment for various types of psoriasis for over a century. It is the first-line treatment for scalp, hand, and foot psoriasis. However, the application of coal tar on hair invariably causes staining, which results in a high degree of patient non-compliance, especially in patients with non-black hair. Thus, the treatment of scalp psoriasis with a topical coal tar formulation requires that special concern be paid to product esthetics. Objective This study aimed to evaluate the hair-staining characteristics of a novel lecithinized coal tar (LCT) formulation on different types of mammalian hair. Methods Samples of hair from different mammals, including human, sheep, rabbit, and goat, were repeatedly exposed to the LCT formulation over 14 days. The color of hair samples treated with LCT was compared with that of untreated control hair samples. Results The study revealed the distinct non-staining potential of the LCT formulation. Conclusions This LCT formulation lacks the propensity to stain hair and thus has excellent potential to be exploited in the treatment of scalp psoriasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitiligo is a psychologically devastating condition. Topical therapy is employed as first-line treatment in localized vitiligo. Currently, several topical agents are available in many forms viz. methoxsalen (solution and cream), trioxsalen (solution), corticosteroids (gel, cream, ointment and solution) and calcineurin inhibitors (ointment and cream). Although topical therapy has an important position in vitiligo treatment, side-effects or poor efficacy affect their utility and patient compliance. Novel drug delivery strategies can play a pivotal role in improving the topical delivery of various drugs by enhancing their epidermal localization with a concomitant reduction in their side-effects and improving their effectiveness. The current review emphasizes the potential of various phospholipid based carriers viz. liposomes, transferosomes, ethosomes, lipid emulsions, solid lipid nanoparticles and organogels in optimizing and enhancing the topical delivery of anti-vitiligo agents, whilst reducing the side effects of drugs commonly used in its topical treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuropathic pain associated with chronic alcohol consumption is a medico-socioeconomical problem that affects both central and peripheral nervous system and has no satisfactory treatment till date. The present study was designed to investigate the protective effect of co-administration of curcumin and sildenafil on alcohol induced neuropathic pain in rats. In order to carry out this, ethanol (35% v/v, 10 g/kg, p.o.) was administered for 10 weeks to induce neuropathic pain. Curcumin (30 and 60 mg/kg, i.p.) and sildenafil (5 and 10 mg/kg, i.p.) were given alone and in combination at their lower doses (30 mg/kg curcumin and 5 mg/kg, sildenafil, i.p.) to investigate the changes in thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia, allodynia and histopathological parameters. Biochemical estimations of thiobarbituric acid reactive species, glutathione and protein was also carried out to evaluate oxidative stress. The results revealed that chronic alcohol consumption for 10 weeks caused significant thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia, allodynia and increased oxidative stress. Individual administration of both the drugs at their low as well as high doses were able to improve the symptoms of alcohol induced neuropathic pain. Whereas co-administration of curcumin and sildenafil at their lower doses itself were found to significantly improve nerve functions, biochemical and histopathological parameters as compared to their individual administration. It is therefore proposed that co-administration of curcumin and sildenafil may bring new dimension towards attenuation of alcohol induced neuropathic pain affecting central as well as peripheral nervous system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]