White soft paraffin 15% / Dimeticone 1% cream

BACKGROUND: Eczema (atopic dermatitis; AD) is a very common itchy skin condition affecting 1 in 5 children and up to 1 in 10 adults worldwide. The skin of eczema sufferers is prone to redness, irritation and dryness because it does not form an effective barrier, i.e. the ability of the skin to stop irritants, allergens and microorganisms getting into the body. Skin barrier dysfunction is a hallmark of AD. The regular and liberal (600 g/week for an adult) use of emollients is recommended for all patients with eczema), even between episodes of itching and redness, to soften and soothe the skin. In England alone, almost 9 million prescriptions for emollient creams were issued in 2018, at a cost of over £50 million. Despite this widespread use, relatively little is known about how commonly prescribed emollient creams affect the skin's barrier, and thus the role of moisturizers in AD development and progression remains unclear. We set out to compare three different types of emollient cream and a no-treatment control. AIM: To compare the barrier-strengthening properties of a new moisturizer containing urea and glycerol (urea-glycerol cream; UGC), with those of a glycerol-containing moisturizer (glycerol cream; GC), a simple paraffin cream (PC) with no humectant, and a no-treatment control (NTC). METHODS: This was an observer-blinded prospective Phase 2 within-subject multilateral single-centre randomized controlled trial in adults with AD (Clinical Trials #NCT03901144). The intervention involved 4 weeks of treatment, twice daily, with the three products applied to one of four areas on the forearms the (the fourth area was the untreated control, randomized allocation). Skin properties [dryness, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), hydration and natural moisturizing factor (NMF) levels] were assessed before, during and after treatment to see what happened to the skin's barrier. The primary outcome was skin sensitivity to the irritant sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) after treatment. We performed tests on the skin before and after treatment to see what happened to the skin's barrier. RESULTS: /h; 95% CI 7.76 to -0.63). Skin moisturization improved at sites treated with UGC compared with NTC and PC, and this was accompanied by concordant changes in dryness and NMF levels. Subgroup analysis suggested FLG-dependent enhancement of treatment effects. CONCLUSION: The study showed that not all emollient creams for eczema are equal. The simple paraffin-based emollient, which represents the most widely prescribed type of emollient cream in England, had no effect on the skin's barrier and reduced the skin's NMF. UGC markedly improved the skin's barrier and protected against irritation. GC performed better than PC, but not as well as UGC. UGC strengthened the skin barrier through a mechanism involving increased NMF levels in the skin, and imparted protection from SLS-induced irritation. By helping correct a major pathophysiological process, UGC has the potential to improve the long-term control of AD. The results show that different emollient creams have different effects on our skin, and only certain types have the ability to improve the skin's barrier and protect against irritants that trigger eczema.

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC-ND

Abstract Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease of the hair follicles. Although some cases resolve spontaneously, many patients require some form of treatment, including corticosteroids and vitamin D analogues, among others. Cytokine signaling in autoimmune disorders and their inhibition have been the prime objective in therapeutic research over the past few years. Janus kinase inhibitors such as tofacitinib have shown efficacy in the treatment of AA. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a novel formulation of topical tofacitinib compared to vehicle in patients with AA. Materials and Methods: A prospective, non-blinded, intrasubject vehicle-controlled study was conducted in patients with AA for a total duration of 6 months. A 2% tofacitinib citrate ointment was compounded in the pharmacy. Tofacitinib tablets (5 mg) were crushed and mixed in white soft paraffin to produce 2% ointment. A thin layer of this ointment was applied to the treatment patch, while the control patches received the application of the vehicle twice daily. Both patches in each patient were evaluated for percentage change in severity of alopecia tool [SALT] score after 24 weeks as the primary outcome. This was graded as excellent response (>50% improvement), intermediate response (25–50%), mild response (5–25%), and no response (<5% improvement). Trichoscopy and hair pull test were evaluated as secondary outcomes. Results: The present study included 30 patients with AA having a median age of 27 years. Among 30 patients, 40% achieved excellent response (>50% change in the SALT score) over six months of treatment. The mean SALT score was significantly reduced from baseline to six months of treatment (mean [95% CI]: 4.3 [1.9–6.3]; P = 0.001). The control patch had substantially higher positive results in the final hair pull test, indicating disease activity (Treatment: 10% vs. Control: 86.7%, P < 0.001). Compared to the control patch, the prevalence of upright hair (10.0% vs. 80.0%) and terminal hair (3.3% vs. 70.0%) were significantly higher in the treatment patch ( P < 0.001). No serious adverse effects were reported during the study duration. Limitations: Sample size was small and the followup was not long enough to study the full effects of tofacitinib, as well as maintenance of remission or relapse after discontinuation. Conclusion: Topical tofacitinib proved to be an efficacious and well-tolerated treatment modality for AA with no adverse effects reported during this study.

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC-SA

is a pure and clean animal fat derived from milk and is often recognized as clarified butter. It is used in Ayurvedic medicine as an excellent base for preparing various formulations due to its ability to penetrate deep tissue and be easily absorbed. Cow ghee possesses antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties, making it beneficial for treating skin-associated problems. When applied externally, ointment bases are semisolid preparations for use on the skin or mucous membranes. They are classified into four categories: Hydrocarbon, Absorption, Water-removable, and Water-soluble. In this study, ointment bases were formulated and evaluated using cow ghee and selected conventional ones. Materials and Methods Ointment bases like Cetostearyl alcohol, stearic acid, glyceryl monostearate, soft white paraffin, soft yellow paraffin, paraffin wax, white beeswax, and wool fat were obtained from SD fine chem manufacturer Ltd., Mumbai. Cow ghee was obtained from the Go Vigyan, Anusandhan Kendra, Nagpur. The ointment bases were prepared using pharmacopeia procedures. Cow ghee was used as a base in the preparation of ointment bases with different concentrations than conventional bases. Stability testing was performed per International Conference on Harmonization(ICH) guidelines and various physicochemical parameters like color, appearance, odor, consistency, pH, Spreadability Extrudability, loss on drying, solubility, and washability. Results The ointment bases formulated using cow ghee in combination with selected conventional ointment bases were found to be stable. They exhibited desirable characteristics like non-greasy, attractive appearance, and suitability for various medications and supporting substances. The cow ghee-based ointment bases also showed good spreadability, extrudability, and solubility, indicating their effectiveness as carriers for active components. Conclusion The study demonstrates the potential of cow ghee as a natural ointment base for the preparation of various Ayurvedic formulations. The ointment bases formulated using cow ghee in combination with conventional ointment bases were stable and exhibited desirable physicochemical properties. Thus, using cow ghee as an ointment base can provide a cost-effective and easily accessible alternative for therapeutic use or as a carrier of active components.

Abstract licence: CC BY

The aim of this study is to develop and evaluate a novel medicated ointment formulation enriched with ginger (Zingiber officinale) oil. Fresh ginger rhizomes were processed and subjected to hydrodistillation, yielding 2.34% essential oil. Five different ointment formulations (F1-F5) were prepared with varying ratios of ginger to virgin coconut oil (5:95 to 25:75) using a systematic formulation approach. The optimized base contained white soft paraffin, beeswax, and cetyl alcohol as stabilizing agents. The formulations were evaluated for physicochemical properties including spreadability, hardness, viscosity, pH, and particle size distribution. Results indicated that F3 (15% ginger oil) exhibited optimal characteristics with spreadability of 7.5 ± 0.2 cm, hardness of 189 ± 4.8 g-force, and viscosity of 3680 ± 142 cP. Phytochemical screening revealed significant presence of bioactive compounds, with F3 showing optimal concentrations of gingerols (4.78 ± 0.25 mg/g) and paradols (3.12 ± 0.20 mg/g). Three-month stability studies demonstrated that formulations F1-F3 maintained consistent physical characteristics and bioactive compound retention (>95%) at room temperature, while F4 and F5 showed slight separation and reduced stability. DPPH radical scavenging activity remained highest in F3 (76.8 ± 1.6%) throughout the storage period. It can be concluded from this research that 15% ginger oil concentration provides better physicochemical characteristics and stability for therapeutic applications.

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC

Background: Red ginger (Zingiber officinale var. rubrum) is a variant of Z. officinale distinguished by its elevated levels of phenolic compounds—particularly gingerols, shogaols, and zingerone—that exhibit potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Topical formulations enable localized drug delivery, reducing systemic exposure and minimizing adverse effects commonly associated with oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Methodology: Dried red ginger rhizomes were powdered and extracted with 70% ethanol via maceration. The concentrated extract was incorporated into a white soft paraffin–lanolin base to produce ointments containing 5%, 10%, and 15% w/w extract. The formulations were assessed for physicochemical stability, including organoleptic characteristics, pH, spreadability, adhesion, and homogeneity. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using the carrageenan-induced paw edema model in Wistar rats (n = 6 per group), with blank base and diclofenac sodium ointment (1% w/w) serving as negative and positive controls, respectively. Findings: All ointments exhibited stable physicochemical properties within pharmacopeial acceptance limits (pH 5.2–5.9; spreadability 5.6–6.4 cm; adhesion >1 s). In vivo, red ginger ointments significantly reduced paw edema in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05). The 15% formulation achieved 60.8% inhibition (0.47 ± 0.05 mL at 5 h), comparable to diclofenac ointment (0.48 ± 0.06 mL; p = 0.71). Contribution: The study establishes that red ginger retains pharmacological activity when formulated into a topical base, confirming its potential as a stable, safe, and effective phytopharmaceutical for localized inflammation management. These findings support further preclinical and clinical studies toward its development as a natural alternative to synthetic topical NSAIDs

Abstract licence: CC BY-SA

The objective of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial properties of the Umbelliferae family of plants. Previous research has shown that extracts from fennel, coriander, and cumin exhibit significant antimicrobial effects. To further explore these properties, we formulated and evaluated a cream containing extracts of alovera, coriander, and cumin oil, focusing on its antimicrobial activity. The cream was created using various excipients, including borax, beeswax, white soft paraffin, and additional ingredients such as methylparaben, propylparaben, and distilled water. Each formulation was assessed for pH, viscosity, spreadability, washability, homogeneity, physical characteristics, stability, irritancy, and antimicrobial efficacy. The prepared cream underwent evaluations of its physical, rheological, and antimicrobial properties, along with phytochemical screening for terpenoids and microbial assays. Stability studies were also conducted. The findings revealed promising antimicrobial activity, indicating the potential of the herbal cream as a natural alternative for combating microbial infections. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing confirmed the cream's effectiveness against a range of microbial pathogens. Throughout the research, formulation F2 was identified as the most effective, exhibiting no phase separation and demonstrating significant antimicrobial activity, leading to its selection as the preferred formulation.

Abstract licence: CC BY-SA

Objective: To compare mean pruritus score (5 -d itch score) between Narrow Band UVB verses topical emollients in patients of uremic pruritus. Study Design: Quasi-Experimental Study. Setting: Departments of Dermatology and Nephrology, Sahiwal Teaching Hospital Sahiwal. Period: March to August 2024. Methods: A total of sixty patients of end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis having uremic pruritus with 5-d itch score >15 were selected and randomly divided into two groups through lottery method. Group A patients were treated with twice weekly sessions of Narrowband UVB Phototherapy and Group B with emollients (liquid paraffin and white soft paraffin mixed in 1:1) applied topically on body twice daily. Patients of both groups were assessed after treatment at 12 week by using 5-D itch score at baseline and 12 week. Results: Majority of the patients belonged to 36 to 55 years of age and female gender outnumber male among study participants in both groups. The final 5D itch score decreased from baseline was recorded in both groups, but significant mean decrease in 5D itch more than half (53%) from its baseline was seen in group A patients treated with narrowband UVB phototherapy (10.76±3.25) compared to group B treated with emollients (4.23±2.95).Intergroup comparison results showed a statistically significant difference between the mean 5 D itch scores of both groups. (p-value <0.001). Conclusion: Narrow band UVB phototherapy is more effective as compared to emollients in the treatment of Uremic pruritus.

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC

Abstract – Beetroot lip balm is a natural cosmetic formulation developed to provide moisturization, nourishment, and a subtle tint to the lips using plant-based ingredients. The key active component, Beta vulgaris (beetroot) extract, is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and natural pigments, making it an ideal agent for enhancing lip colour while promoting lip health. This study/formulation explores the incorporation of beetroot extract into a lip balm base composed such as beeswax, White soft Paraffin , Castor oil , Vitamin E. The final product aims to address common issues like lip dryness, cracking, and dullness while offering a chemical-free alternative to synthetic lip products. Evaluation criteria included texture, spreadability, stability, and user satisfaction. Results indicated that the beetroot lip balm delivers effective hydration and imparts a natural rosy tint, making it a functional and appealing product for regular use.

Abstract licence: CC BY-SA

This study focuses on the formulation and evaluation of a herbal wound healing ointment using the leaf extract of Calotropis gigantea, a medicinal plant widely used in traditional systems of medicine. The increasing interest in herbal therapeutics due to their affordability, accessibility, and minimal side effects has encouraged the development of plant-based formulations for wound management. The leaves of Calotropis gigantea were collected, authenticated, shade-dried, and powdered, followed by extraction using the cold maceration method with methanol as the solvent. The obtained extract, rich in bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids, and glycosides, was incorporated into an ointment base prepared using ingredients like wool fat, cetostearyl alcohol, hard paraffin, and white soft paraffin through the trituration method. The pH (6.7) was found to be compatible with skin, and the formulation exhibited good spreadability and antimicrobial activity without any signs of microbial contamination. The findings suggest that the Calotropis gigantea herbal ointment possesses significant wound healing potential and meets the required evaluation standards. Therefore, it can be considered a safe, effective, and economical alternative for wound care. Further studies, including in vivo evaluations, are recommended to validate its therapeutic efficacy and support its large-scale application.

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC-ND