Abdullah Alyoussef

Acne vulgaris is a common skin condition that affects millions of people worldwide. While the exact cause of acne is not fully understood, it is believed to be influenced by various factors such as the skin microbiome, host immunity, hormones, genetics, and possibly diet. There are several treatment options for acne, including antibiotics and vitamin A derivatives (retinoids). However, these treatments can have side effects, such as dryness, redness, and peeling of the skin. The relationship between diet and acne remains somewhat controversial. Studies have found that Western societies have a higher incidence of acne than non-Western societies, which is believed to be due to dietary differences. Several experiments were conducted to target the skin microbiome and treat acne with the hope of using probiotics orally or topically to regulate the immune response and reduce inflammation in acne. In addition, studies have shown that a plant-based diet can benefit individuals with acne. Avoiding dairy consumption is one of the most effective dietary changes for reducing acne. As part of our investigation, we conducted a review to determine the effect of probiotics and vegetarian diets on acne.

Background The Wnt pathway is a major pathway in the pathogenesis of skin cancer. Moreover, crocin is one of the carotenoid compounds present in the flowers of gardenia and crocus. Crocin is responsible for the characteristic color of saffron. Aims This study was conducted to discover the therapeutic effects of crocin against skin cancer induced in mice by blocking the Wnt pathway with subsequent effects on inflammation and fibrosis. Methods For the induction of skin cancer in mice, the application of DMBA and Croton oil was used. The dorsal skin was used for the evaluation of the gene and protein expression of TGF-β, SMAD, Wnt, β-catenin, TNF-α, and NFκB. Part of the skin is stained with Mallory trichrome. Results The use of crocin for treating skin cancer mice significantly reduced both the number of tumors and the number of scratches. In addition, crocin inhibited epidermal hyperplasia. Finally, crocin reduced the gene expression and protein levels of Wnt, β-catenin, SMAD, NFκB; TGF-β and TNF-α. Conclusions Crocin produced therapeutic effects against skin cancer induced in mice by blocking the expression of Wnt followed by blocking the pro-inflammatory pathway through downregulation of NFκB and TNF-α. In addition, crocin blocked the fibrosis pathway via the downregulation of TGF-β.

1. Abstract Atopic dermatitis (AD) is characterized by progressive skin inflammation. In addition, sulforaphane is an isothiocyanate organosulfur compound from cruciferous vegetables. Sulforaphane was reported to ameliorate inflammatory responses. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate protective effects of sulforaphane in AD through affecting the balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines and to evaluate its effect on AD-induced activation of apoptotic pathway. The method of repeated rubbing of 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) on shaved dorsal skin and ears of mice was used for induction of AD. After development of AD, part of mice was injected with 1 mg/kg sulforaphane, subcutaneously three times weekly. Samples of skin was isolated for assessment of gene and protein expression of 8-hydroxy2'-deoxyguanosine, IgE, NFκB, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-10, Nrf2 and caspase-3. In addition, skin sections from different groups were stained with anti-caspase-3 antibodies. Mice in AD group were characterized by increased gene and protein expression of 8-hydroxy2'-deoxyguanosine, IgE, NFκB, TNF-α, IL-1β and caspase-3 associated with reduced expression of Nrf2, IL-4 and IL-10. Treatment of AD mice with sulforaphane significantly reduced the number of scratches, dermatitis score and ear thickness. In addition, sulforaphane significantly attenuated the gene and protein expressions produced by AD. Therefore, sulforaphane alleviated AD induced in mice through inhibition of oxidative stress, oxidative DNA damage, inflammation and apoptosis.

Herbal products and home remedies, especially those used as cosmetics, are widely used worldwide. Therefore, we conducted this study to discover the pattern of use of remedies in treating hair and scalp disorders in Tabuk, North West area of Saudi Arabia. A survey about use of herbal products and home remedies was prepared to evaluate their in hair and scalp. The questionnaire was distributed to 149 female hairdressers, hair products sellers and traditional healers as well as female customers in these places. We found about forty-one plants and eleven home remedies used for hair and scalp in Tabuk area. The most widely used plants were Henna (15.01%), coconut (10.22%) and olive (8.14%). They were widely used in hair damage (32.01%), hair endings (21.95%) and hair loss (21.94%). In parallel, the most widely used home remedies were yogurt (32.42%), eggs (26.91%) and honey (23.85%). They were widely used in hair damage (45.57%), hair endings (26.91%) and hair loss (19.88%). There were no differences between participants in the pattern of use of remedies regarding their education level of age group. In conclusion, many natural herbal medicine and home remedies are still in use in North West region of Saudi Arabia for hair and scalp. There is a great shortage in medical sources of information. Finally, many of used remedies lacks important scientific information about their usage and safety.

The objective of the study was to explore the potential of a novel nicotinamide extrudate as an anti-aging platform compared to the conventional gel. Nicotinamide extrudates were prepared by hot melt extrusion and characterized pharmaceutically for their thermal behavior, mositure uptake, skin adhesion, and deposition in different skin layers. The pharmacological potential of the extrudates were explored in terms of induction of skin amino acids, cellular energy estimation, 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine content, Nitrate + nitrite content and histological chacaterization of collagen area percent. Results revealed that the extrusion technique managed to amorphize nicotinamide and enhance its skin deposition (46%) compared to the gel form which only showed about 10% deposition, owing to the mucoadhesive nature of the former. Extrudates were also found superior to the gel form as demonstrated by the increased amino acids level (glycine, proline, hydroxyproline), increased cellular energy, decreased oxidative stress and increased collagen formation. Nictotinamide extrudates were proven to be a scalable promising anti-aging platform which are worthy of entering the cosmeceutical market as products.

Glypican-3 (GPC3) is considered as a cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycan. It is overexpressed in skin cancer and promotes tumor progression and patho

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is considered a chronic recurrent inflammatory skin disease. In addition, crocin is the major carotenoid compound found in Gardenia jasminoides. It is previously proved to produce anti-inflammatory actions. Therefore, we conducted this research to investigate the therapeutic effects of crocin on a mice model of AD.Methods: Mice were investigated for the number of scratches and dermatitis score. Skin was isolated and used for measurements of gene and protein expression of β-catenin, NFκB, TNF-α and IL-1β.Results: Authors found that crocin significantly reduced the number of scratches, ear thickness and dermatitis score. In addition, crocin ameliorated AD-induced elevation in the expression of β-catenin, NFκB, TNF-α and IL-1β.Conclusions: Crocin ameliorated DNCB-induced AD in mice via blockage of β-catenin with subsequent reduction in inflammatory pathway.

Background and objectives: The incidence of skin cancer has raised in the last few years. One of the important growth factors found in the skin layers is insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1. It is directly linked with many cancers in different organs. Therefore, we aimed to explore the therapeutic effects of blocking IGF-1 receptor (IGF-R1) pathway by PQ401 in skin cancer as well as studying its effect on tumor invasion markers. Materials and methods: We experimentally induced skin cancer in mice by the application of 7,12-dimethylbenz (a) anthracene. Skin samples were removed for determination of gen and protein expression of IGF-1, IGF-R1, glypican-3, MMP9, syndecan-1 and fascin-1 by Western blot and PCR. Moreover, skin sections were stained with hematoxylin/eosin and Mallory. Results: Treatment with PQ401 blocked the expression of IGF-R1 in the skin, which is associated with reduction in the skin cancer-induced tumors and scratches. In addition, PQ401 ameliorated skin cancer induced formation of epidermal atypia and hyperplasia. PQ401 reduced both gene and protein expression of the tumor invasion markers, MMP9, syndecan-1 and fascin-1, without affecting gene and protein expression of glypican-3 and IGF-1 in skin cancer group. Conclusion: Blocking IGF-R1 has therapeutic effects against experimental skin cancer induced in mice. In addition, blocking IGF = R1 attenuated skin cancer-induced activation of tumor invasion markers. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Wnt pathway plays an important role in controlling metabolism in cancer cells. It acts as positive modulator for both cell inflammation, through activation of NFκB, and fibrosis, through activation of TGF-β. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the therapeutic effects of blocking Wnt pathway by IWP12 on skin cancer by studying its effects on skin cancer-induced inflammation and fibrosis in a mice model of skin cancer. Skin cancer was induced by application of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) and croton oil on the dorsal skin of mice. Dorsal skin was removed for estimation of gene and protein expression of Wnt, β-catenin, SMAD, TGF-β, NFκB, TNF-α, IL-4 and IL-10. Part of the skin is stained with hematoxylin/eosin for assessment of cell structure. Treatment of mice with IWP12 completely blocked Wnt in skin cancer mice without affecting the control mice. Skin of tumorigenic mice showed marked skin hyperkeratosis, parakeratosis, acanthosis and dysplasia. Treatment with IWP12 markedly attenuated epidermal atypia and hyperplasia. In addition, IWP12 reduced expression of β-catenin, SMAD, TGF-β, NFκB and TNF-α associated with increase in the expression of IL-4 and IL-10. In conclusion, blocking Wnt production ameliorated skin cancer via blocking pro-inflammatory cytokines and enhancing the anti-inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, blocking Wnt attenuated skin cancer-induced activation of fibrosis pathway.