White liniment

IntroductionFolliculitis is a painful infection and inflammation of the hair follicles, mostly caused by bacterial, fungal, or, more rarely, viral infections. Turpentine derivatives have been used traditionally to treat various skin infections and could thus also be effective in treating folliculitis. We carried out an open, prospective, randomized, placebo- and comparator-controlled multicenter trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of an ointment containing pine turpentine oil, larch turpentine, and eucalyptus oil in the treatment of acute folliculitis.MethodsSeventy outpatients with acute folliculitis were treated with the turpentine ointment, a comparator (povidone iodine solution), or a placebo (Vaseline) for 7 days. Photographs of the affected skin areas were taken by the physicians at four visits and by the patients on a daily basis. Photographs were evaluated by blinded observers. Primary efficacy endpoint was the change in total hair follicle lesion counts. Secondary endpoints included the evolution of the lesion counts in the course of the study, responder rate (improvement of follicle lesions by at least one count), and the patient's global assessment. Safety endpoints were the tolerability of the treatments and adverse event recording.ResultsA decrease of follicle lesions counts was detected for both active treatments but not for placebo, but the differences among groups were not statistically significant. As for the secondary endpoints, the ointment showed statistically significant superiority over placebo for the evolution of the lesions during the course of the study (p = 0.017), the responder rate (p = 0.032), and the subjective efficacy assessment by patients (p = 0.029). All treatments were equally well tolerated, with a similar number of treatment-emergent adverse events.ConclusionThe turpentine ointment is an effective and safe option for the treatment of folliculitis.

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC

Terpenes are among the most diverse kinds of natural products because of their remarkable chemical variety. Numerous biological characteristics of terpenoids have been documented, including their antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antihyperglycemic, anti-inflammatory, and antiparasitic effects, as well as their cancer chemopreventive benefits. Additionally, terpenes are utilized in the manufacturing of organic solvents, varnishes, inks, adhesives, synthetic polymers, natural rubbers, cleaning supplies, biofuels, insecticides, and food and beverage items. Terpenes are therefore highly valued in modern medicine, pharmacy, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and other fields. Plant oils, including terpenes, have been used to treat a variety of diseases without a full understanding of the roles or modes of action of particular bioactive substances. Many of these compounds are only present in nature in extremely small amounts; thus, methods such as metabolic engineering and synthetic biology are used to harvest them in large quantities in order to produce enough medicine. This comprehensive review aims to elucidate the biochemistry, phytochemical properties, and pharmacological activities of terpenes in metabolic disorders.

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The transition from conventional polyurethane (PU) to non isocyanate polyurethane (NIPU) is driven mainly by safety concerns, environmental considerations, and sustainability issues associated with the current PU technology. NIPU has emerged as a promising alternative, addressing limitations related to traditional PU production. There has been increasing interest in bio-based NIPU aligning with the aspiration for green materials and processes. One important biomass resource for the development of bio-based NIPU is vegetable oil, an abundant, renewable, and relatively low cost feedstock. As such, this review aims to provide insight into the progression of NIPU derived from vegetable oils. This article highlights the synthetic and green approach to NIPU production, emphasizing the method involving the polyaddition reaction of cyclic carbonates and amines. The review includes case studies on vegetable oil-based NIPU and perspectives on their properties. Further, discussions on the potential applications and commercial importance of PU and NIPU are included. Finally, we offer perspectives on possible research directions and the future prospects of NIPU, contributing to the ongoing evolution of PU technology.

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC

Acne vulgaris is an inflammatory dermatological pathology that affects mostly young people. However, it can also appear in adulthood, mainly in women. It has a high psychosocial impact, not only at the time of active lesions but also due to the consequences of lesions such as scarring and hyperpigmentation. Several factors are involved in the physiopathology of acne and the constant search for active ingredients is a reality, namely phytotherapeutic ingredients. Tea tree oil is an essential oil extracted from Melaleuca alternifolia (Maiden & Betch) Cheel with known antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, making it a candidate for the treatment of acne. This review aims to describe the various properties of tea tree oil that make it a possible ingredient to use in the treatment of acne and to present several human studies that have evaluated the efficacy and safety of using tea tree oil in the treatment of acne. It can be concluded that tea tree oil has good antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties that result in a decrease in the number of inflammatory lesions, mainly papules, and pustules. However, given the diversity of study designs, it is not possible to draw concrete conclusions on the efficacy and safety of this oil in the treatment of acne.

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Across civilization, medicinal and aromatic plants have occupied an important place due to their extensive use in the treatment of different diseases. This review aims to summarize the existing knowledge about Argania spinosa L. Skeels by bridging traditional herbal knowledge with scientific investigations performed since 1957. Also, this review has shed light on the plant's botanical description and its partition in Morocco, followed by its traditional usage in southwestern Morocco and its socioeconomic importance for the local population. Furthermore, the present comprehensive review reported exhaustively the chemical composition of native and introduced Argania spinosa L. Skeels found in fixed oil, such as fatty acids, tocopherols, and phytosterols. Moreover, the bioactive compounds identified in other plant parts are also highlighted. Also, this review reports also techniques adopted in extraction, isolation, and purification and identification of biocompounds found in Argania spinosa L. Skeels. This review also sheds light on the pharmacological properties of this endemic plant of Morocco, such as antioxidant, antidiabetic, antibacterial, antiobesity, nanotechnology, and toxicity. Furthermore, a section of clinical trials performed on the plant products is also reported. Finally, this comprehensive review forms the backbone for future research on argan and its bioproducts, leading to improved health conditions and addressing future challenges.

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The genus Pistacia from the Anacardiaceae family contains species of wild flowering plants. The only species that produces edible nuts large enough for commercial sale is P. vera L. (pistachio). Other species, such as P. terebinthus L., P. atlantica L., and P. khinjuk, are used as pistachio rootstocks. Pistacia species include phenolic compounds, such as flavonoids, essential oils, and tannins, which are responsible for a number of pharmacological properties. The species most commonly investigated for their anticancer and/or cytotoxic activities against cancer cells in experimental studies include P. lentiscus, P. atlantica subspecies, and P. chinensis subsp. integerrima. However, no review exists that evaluates the phenolic compounds of three other Pistacia species (P. vera L., P. terebinthus L., and P. khinjuk) and their anticancer and cytotoxic effects. Thus, this review aims to thoroughly assess the phenolic compounds that were isolated from these species and investigate any potential anticancer or cytotoxic effects on cancer cells. The findings show that pistacia species and their isolated phenolic compounds (phenolic acids, flavonoids, and essential oils) from different plant parts have anticancer activity against lung, cervical, prostate, gastric, colon, liver, renal, skin, and breast cancer cells. Additionally, certain phenolic compounds from pistacia species have cytotoxic activity; however, the degree of toxicity may vary based on the dosage and duration of use. Further experiments are required to fully understand the possible mechanisms underlying the anticancer and cytotoxic effects of pistacia species and their phenolic compounds on cancer cells.

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Premature aging of red wines (PremOx) is an emerging defect in red wines, related to the onset of cooked fruit, plum and dried figs nuances, as well as the loss of aging potential. This review is focussed on the contribute of lipid-derived compounds, mainly originating from fatty acids oxidation, to this defect. Lactones [γ-nonalactone, massoia lactone), ketones (3-methyl-2,4-nonanedione, (Z)-1,5-octadien-3-one] and aldehydes [(2E,4E,6Z)-nonatrienal and trans-4,5-epoxy-(E)-2-decenal] are reported among the most relevant odorants involved. Their occurrence and sensory significance are discussed and their candidate precursors, as well as possible pathways of formation, involving either enzymatic or radical oxidation, are reported. The literature reports about the effect of over-ripening, light exposure, disease infections, harvesting date and wine aging conditions are also discussed. Fatty acid oxidation could be the common origin of some of the compounds related to premature aging. Applying the principles of lipid chemistry to better understand the mechanisms underlying their formation and evolution could provide useful knowledge to adapt vineyard management, harvest and winemaking techniques to the emerging issues related to climate change. © 2025 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

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