• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 1988.08a
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• pp.11-18
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• 1988

The cosmetic effects of epicutaneous treatment with extracts of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer have been poorly investigated. The little published data found in cosmetic literature emphasize the activating effects on sagging and wrinkled skin and some favorable activities on dry and/or greasy skin. Earlier observations have shown the excellent skin tolerability of some liposomal ginseng extract preparations. No moisturizing and seboregulatory effects were demonstrated. but eutrophic effects on subjects with aging skin have been observed. The present study concerned the preparation of a special extract derivative obtained by Physical-chemical interactions of ginseng saponins and some phospholipids. which we have called 'fitosoma.' These complexes have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy and electron microscopy. Furthermore, these complexes are new. stable. and water microdispersible, forming liposomal structures in water. The cosmetic activities of these compounds have been examined by means of corneometry and elastometry to study their influence on aging skin. on skin layer hydration. and to determine skin elasticity.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.13
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• pp.5311-5316
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• 2014

Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) has been recognized as a transcription factor that controls mechanisms of cellular defense response by regulation of three classes of genes, including endogenous antioxidants, phase II detoxifying enzymes and transporters. Previous studies have revealed roles of Nrf2 in resistance to chemotherapeutic agents and high level expression of Nrf2 has been found in many types of cancer. At physiological concentrations, luteolin as a flavonoid compound can inhibit Nrf2 and sensitize cancer cells to chemotherapeutic agents. We reported luteolin loaded in phytosomes as an advanced nanoparticle carrier sensitized MDA-MB 231 cells to doxorubicin. In this study, we prepared nano phytosomes of luteolin to enhance the bioavailability of luteolin and improve passive targeting in breast cancer cells. Our results showed that cotreatment of cells with nano particles containing luteolin and doxorubicin resulted in the highest percentage cell death in MDA-MB 231cells (p<0.05). Furthermore, luteolin-loaded nanoparticles reduced Nrf2 gene expression at the mRNA level in cells to a greater extent than luteolin alone (p<0.05). Similarly, expression of downstream genes for Nrf2 including Ho1 and MDR1 were reduced significantly (p<0.05). Inhibition of Nrf-2 expression caused a marked increase in cancer cell death (p<0.05). Taken together, these results suggest that phytosome technology can improve the efficacy of chemotherapy by overcoming resistance and enhancing permeability of cancer cells to chemical agents and may thus be considered as a potential delivery system to improve therapeutic protocols for cancer patients.