Dermatrendz

Acne vulgaris (Buthūr Labaniyya) is a prevalent chronic inflammatory disorder of the pilosebaceous unit, commonly affecting adolescents and young adults. The condition often leads to significant psychosocial distress and impaired quality of life. In the Unani system of medicine, Buthūr Labaniyya is attributed to humoral imbalance and disturbances in Asbāb-e-Sitta Ḍarūriyya, the six essential prerequisites for maintaining health. Classical Unani scholars emphasize disease prevention through regulation and moderation of these factors before initiating pharmacological treatment, aiming to restore systemic balance and limit drug dependency. This narrative review examines the role of alterations in Asbāb-e-Sitta Ḍarūriyya in the prevention and management of acne vulgaris by integrating evidence from classical Unani texts with contemporary understanding of acne pathophysiology. The review highlights lifestyle and dietary modifications as supportive, non-pharmacological strategies that may complement conventional acne management and contribute to a holistic therapeutic approach. Keywords: Acne vulgaris; Buthūr Labaniyya; Unani medicine; Asbāb-e-Sitta Ḍarūriyya; Lifestyle modification

Background: Cancer poses a foremost public health challenge worldwide. Several cancer types are preventable and treatable, provided that cancer is diagnosed at an early stage. The derivatives of plant metabolites such as camptothecin, podophyllotoxin, vinca, and others have been a crucial source of numerous clinically effective anti-cancer agents. Aim: The present study was conducted to evaluate the cytotoxic potential of a traditional Unani formulation against cancer cell lines. Methods: A compound Polyherbal Unani Formulation (PUF) mentioned in the Unani text Kamil-Us-Sana to evacuate Khilt-e-Sawdā’ in the chapter of Saraṭān (Cancer) was selected to screen its anti-cancer potential against A-549, HeLa, MCF-7 and B16F10 cells. Aqueous, hydroethanolic (1:1), and methanolic extract of PUF was prepared and tested. Results: Total phenolics and flavonoids were detected in significant quantities in PUF. PUF and its ingredients exhibited powerful anti-oxidant potential in DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assay. Methanolic extract of PUF was found most potent cytotoxic (IC50 value of 28.50±1.53 μg/mL) in B16F10 cells, almost equal to positive control doxorubicin (IC50 24.62±0.19 μg/mL). PUF also increased the caspase-3 activity in HeLa and A-549 cells, suggesting apoptosis induction. The cytotoxic activity of PUF may be attributed to the effect of its ingredients in MCF-7 cells and other cancer cell lines. Conclusion: Present findings validate the traditional claim mentioned in the Unani text and open up a new avenue for further research to explore molecular mechanisms and development of this Unani formulation for effective cancer management. Major Findings: Present study demonstrated the cytotoxic potential of a traditional polyherbal Unani formulation with IC50 values ranging from 28.50±1.53 μg/mL to 207.86±1.24 μg/mL in HeLa, A-549, MCF-7, and B16F10 cancer cells. The methanolic extract of PUF exhibited greater cytotoxic potential compared to hydro-ethanolic and aqueous extract. The cytotoxic effects of PUF are likely due to its ingredients, which have been reported to have cytotoxic activity in other cancer cell lines.

Dermatology as a branch is a panoramic canvas with a spectrum of manifestation, and psychodermatology is one emerging paradigm in its epicentre. Traditionally, it was thought that psychiatrists deal with "internal" nonvisible disease, while dermatology centres around "external" visible dermatoses and cosmetic disfigurement, hence, with this belief, psychodermatology appeared as an oxymoron to many. Management of psychodermatological disorders requires a multidisciplinary approach, which includes a combination of psychopharmacology, psychotherapy and timely referral as and when needed. The commonly available psychotherapeutics at the disposal of dermatologists include antidepressants, mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, anxiolytics and sedative-hypnotics, the last three of which have been focused in this part of the review.

The term ‘nonvenereal disease’ includes a heterogeneous group of disorders involving the genitalia, which are not transmitted sexually. Non venereal diseases are often responsible for physician’s diagnostic dilemma and considerable concern to the patient. Patients presenting with genital lesions often have apprehension of being suffering from venereal diseases. Hence this study was conducted to determine the clinical pattern and prevalence of non-venereal dermatoses affecting genitalia. To evaluate the frequency of nonvenereal diseases of external genitalia and to determine the clinical and demographic pattern of non-venereal diseases of external genitalia.This is a descriptive study including 100 male and female patients presenting with non-venereal dermatoses affecting external genitalia conducted from February 2016 to February 2017 at a tertiary care institute.A total of 100 patients presenting with nonvenereal dermatoses were included in the study. Age of the patients ranged from 4 to 81 years with mean age of 38 (among males) & 37.55 (among females). Most patients belonged to the age group of > 40 (45%), followed by the age group of 21-40 (43%). 72 patients (72%) were married. A total of 34 types of nonvenereal dermatoses were diagnosed. The most common condition observed was steatocystoma multiplex (10) followed by psoriasis (9), vitiligo (7) in males. In females, vitiligo (13) was the most common genital disorder followed by LSEA (7). Nonvenereal dermatoses affecting other sites were noted in 25 patients, most commonly in vitiligo followed by psoriasis. Associated sexually transmitted infection was noted in a single case. This study was useful in evaluating the frequency, various manifestations, causative factors of various non-venereal dermatoses. This study highlights the importance of proper diagnosis of non venereal genital dermatoses which helps to avoid the misconception among general population that all genital lesions are sexually transmitted

Nail aesthetic procedures so far have been a neglected domain of nail medicine. With changing times, more people are getting sensitized towards nail enhancement; hence, there is an ever-increasing need for dermatologist driven aesthetic nail procedures. The management of various nail disorders takes a long time and might not be very rewarding with regard to complete aesthetic improvement. The aesthetic procedures can be utilized to camouflage and provide some relief to the patient. These procedures could also be a treatment modality for various common conditions like brittle nails, onychotillomania, and other habit tic deformities. The aesthetic procedures that we discussed in this article include nail peels, gel nails, and lasers for aesthetic indications. Many side effects of these procedures have been reported in the literature. This can be attributed to the fact that these procedures are currently being done at salons and not by dermatologists. Nail peels are a useful modality for nail surface irregularities and can be safely recommended. Gel nail technique is simple and when done by a trained person can be used to benefit patients with superficial nail plate abnormalities to improve their quality of life. The usage of lasers in the aesthetic improvement of nails is still in a nascent stage.

Topical minoxidil is used for treating different hair disorders. Even though it is an effective therapy, many patients show poor compliance due to the cost, side effects, and duration of treatment. Topical minoxidil is the mainstay treatment for androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Recently, low alcohol or alcohol-free topical minoxidil formulation has proven to be an alternative for patients suffering from AGA, including those with poor compliance with other therapies. Thus, the current article provides the positioning of low alcohol or alcohol-free topical minoxidil to manage AGA in Indian clinical practice.