Yellow soft paraffin 72.75% / Wool fat 19.98% / Salicylic acid 3% ointment

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

Lanolin is a fatty substance derived from sheep's fleece. The ancient Greeks used the moisturizing and skin-protective properties of this substance. The technique of industrial production of lanolin was developed in Germany in the 19th century. Since then, this natural wax has become an extremely popular base for many different cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations intended for the treatment and care of the skin. In addition to its medicinal and cosmetic applications, lanolin is also widely used for industrial purposes. Hypersensitivity to lanolin has raised many questions and controversies for almost 100 years. Although lanolin has significant dermoprotective properties and when applied to intact skin without inflammatory changes, it lubricates it, improves its lipid barrier, and maintains proper moisture, it can also cause contact hypersensitivity when in contact with pathologically changed or damaged skin. It can, in the same person, both protect and damage the skin, depending on the condition of the skin to which the cosmetic or medicine containing lanolin is applied. The nature of the observed reactions and the circumstances of their occurrence, as well as the lack of a clear answer to the question of whether this wax causes allergies or not, make this phenomenon one of the so-called dermatological paradoxes. Although unusual reactions to lanolin have been the subject of research for many years, they still raise many questions to which there is still no clear answer. This is mainly due to the imperfection and incompleteness of the available publications. Although many different studies have been published on hypersensitivity to lanolin, most of them are retrospective analyses of the results of routinely performed epidermal patch tests or descriptions of clinical cases. Such reports and analyses, although undoubtedly very important, are a poor tool for assessing the sensitizing potential of lanolin and/or its derivatives. It is difficult to determine the causative factors, to define lanolin allergens, to investigate immunological mechanisms, or to assess the clinical significance of this phenomenon. There is a definite lack of standardized studies on the nature of lanolin hypersensitivity involving well-selected groups of patients and healthy volunteers, which would be conducted in a reproducible manner under laboratory and/or clinical conditions. As of today, lanolin hypersensitivity seems to be both an old and new problem that still remains unresolved.

Abstract licence: CC BY

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) and its imaging variant (MALDI-MSI) are pivotal analytical tools for biological sample analysis, allowing detection and visualization of diverse biomolecules. At the heart of MALDI-MS/MSI performance lies the crucial yet often empirically determined choice of matrix. A suitable matrix not only boosts analyte ionization efficiency but also enhances sensitivity, salt tolerance, and overall applicability, which are key for specific compound detection. To date, a cumulative total of 467 matrices have been successfully discovered and developed. However, merely a handful of them have achieved widespread utilization, which strongly suggests that there remains a substantial reservoir of untapped potential within this domain. This review offers a systematic and comprehensive overview of MALDI matrices over four decades (1985-present). It starts by outlining MALDI-MS analysis principles and procedures, providing a basis for understanding matrix functions. Then, matrices are systematically classified according to their features. We also spotlight recent matrix applications in MALDI-MS detection and imaging in proteomics, lipidomics, metabolomics, glycomics, nucleic acid analysis, and quantitative analysis. Finally, we chart future research directions, aiming to unlock the full potential of matrices in this dynamic field.

Abstract licence: CC BY

The aim of this study was to improve the permeation of Diclofenac Sodium. Permeation studies were carried out in vitro using cellophane membrane. Topical formulations of diclofenac sodium were prepared by using various polymers. Gel, cream and ointment of the drug were prepared with polymers and the formulations were subjected for evaluation. Gel formulations were containing carbopol 940, triethanolamine, and preservatives. Cream was formulated by using stearic acid, glycerin, lanolin and preservatives. Ointment was also formulated by using the ingredients cetostearyl alcohol, hard paraffin, white soft paraffin and wool fat. In-vitro permeation studies by using cellophane membrane in diffusion cell revealed better permeation characteristics of diclofenac sodium. These types of topical dosage forms could give sustained delivery of drug on to the skin, so they are interesting promises to improve skin absorption of non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and to prevent side effects associated. The Topical formulations are excellent in the percutaneous absorption of diclofenac or its salts and provide good properties upon use and superior medical effects of diclofenac or its salts.

Abstract licence: CC BY

The effects of breed type (purebred or crossbred) and supplementation of agro-byproducts on the growth, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of landrace hair (Barbados Blackbelly; BB and St. Croix; SX) lambs was evaluated. Thirty-six 7.5-month-old purebred hair (BB and SX; body weight = 24.1 ± 4.26 kg) and terminal sire (Dorset; DO) crossbred lambs (DO × BB and DO × SX; body weight = 31.4 ± 3.50 kg) rotationally grazed predominantly on Jesup tall fescue pasture during spring with or without agro-byproduct supplementation (soyhull or corn gluten feed at 2% of BW). Following a 77d grazing period, the lambs were harvested, and their carcass characteristics and meat composition were evaluated. Both supplementation and crossbreeding significantly increased their carcass weight and primal cuts, whereas only supplementation increased (p < 0.01) the dressing percentage, and crossbreeding increased the shear force (p < 0.01). Regardless of breed type, supplementing agro-byproducts improved the lipid oxidation stability and texture properties of the fresh lamb, whereas the pasture-only lambs had healthier fatty acid profiles compared with the supplemented lambs. The results indicate that both terminal sire crossbreeding and byproduct supplementation can be used to affect the carcass characteristics and meat composition of landrace hair sheep lambs.

Abstract licence: CC BY