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The importance of oral health for overall health makes it critical to establish proper oral hygiene practices in children early on. The traditional approaches to teaching children about dental health may not be successful since they may not be able to keep their interest. Metaverse technology offers a promising alternative, allowing for the design of engaging and immersive worlds that can effectively educate children about oral health. Despite the growing interest in the use of metaverse technology in healthcare, there is a lack of comprehensive reviews on its potential for oral health promotion in children. This review aims to fill this gap by providing an overview of the current state of metaverse-based oral health promotion for children, discussing its benefits and challenges, and highlighting its potential for improving children's oral health. By conducting this review, the authors hope to provide new information on the potential of metaverse-based oral health promotion for children and to contribute to the ongoing discussion on the use of metaverse technology in healthcare. This review may also provide valuable insights for dental organizations and practitioners interested in using metaverse technology to promote oral health and healthy living among children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The development of ethylcellulose-based polymeric microsponges for the topical delivery of therapeutic agents has attracted the interest of pharmaceutical scientists around the globe in recent years. This work represents preparation, optimization (using Box–Behnken design [BBD]), and characterization (in-vitro and ex-vivo) of ethylcellulose microsponges loaded with vanillin for effective topical delivery to treat wounds. Vanillin-ethylcellulose microsponges were prepared by using quasi-emulsion solvent diffusion and optimized formulation (F9) (containing 100 mg ethylcellulose, 10 mL dichloromethane, 100 mg vanillin, and 90 mg polyvinyl alcohol) developed showed particle size (90.3 ± 2.9 µm), high entrapment of vanillin (79.0 ± 2.8%), and optimum colloidal properties (zeta potential = −37.91 ± 2.44 mV; polydispersity index (PDI) = 0.224 ± 0.23). Optimized formulation extended the release of vanillin (96.68 ± 3.11%) in-vitro for 24 h. Vanillin-ethylcellulose microsponges (F9) dispersed in Carbopol 940 gel showed limited ex-vivo skin permeation (steady-state flux, JSS = 243.7 ± 6.2 µg/cm2/h) and higher skin retention (82.46 ± 6.74%) for 24 h in pig ear skin compared to plain vanillin Carbopol 940 gel (steady-state flux, JSS = 1350 ± 10.8 µg/cm2/h, skin retention = 33.66 ± 4.53%). Results of confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) of Vanillin-ethylcellulose microsponges (F9) Carbopol 940 gel revealed accumulation of microsponges in the stratum corneum layer of skin as a depot. Microsponges-based Carbopol 940 gel also displayed excellent in-vitro antibacterial activity (zone of inhibition = 24.2 ± 1.3 mm) against Staphylococcus aureus for 24 h compared to plain vanillin Carbopol 940 gel (zone of inhibition = 10.30 ± 1.2 mm) that was considered good for its wound healing activity. Therefore, developed vanillin-loaded ethylcellulose microsponges could be effectively used in the treatment of wounds by reducing side effects associated with vanillin and promoting its localized delivery in Carbopol 940 gel form. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sunscreen formulations are required to protect the skin from damaging ultraviolet radiation, which causes irritation, erythema (sunburn), generalized or localized hyperpigmentation (tanning), skin malignancies, immunosuppression, and inflammation. Efficacious, high-quality products are in high demand currently. There are some sunscreens with broad spectrum UV protection that are inexpensive, safe, and herbal. The present study was conducted to investigate the phytochemical profile and sun-protective properties of Polyalthia longifolia (Sonn.) Thwaites extracts. The bark of P. longifolia was extracted with water, ethanol, and petroleum ether by the cold maceration method. A preliminary phytochemical screening on the P. longifolia bark extracts was conducted. The in vitro sun-protective activity of the different P. longifolia extracts was assessed by determining the sun protection factor (SPF) using the UV spectroscopic technique. The results of the phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, phenols, and tannins in all the P. longifolia bark extracts. The SPF values of the different extracts were observed to be 5.24±0.002, 1.07±0.009, and 1.01±0.012 for the ethanolic, petroleum ether, and water extracts, respectively. The findings of this study suggest that the aqueous, ethanol, and petroleum ether extracts of P. longifolia bark could be used to make photoprotective formulations that have additive or synergistic effects in a variety of combinations and quantities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]