Alcortin A

Alcortin A Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Food Interaction and all others data.

Aloe describes a genus including over 500 species of flowering succulent plants that grow in the Southern peninsula and various islands. Aloe vera, or Aloe barbadensis miller, is the most common species of Aloe that is cultivated for agricultural and medical purposes. It is a perennial succulent xerophyte with elongated leaves that contain a clear gel. While aloe vera has a long history of commercial uses, it is still widely used in cosmetic, food and pharmaceutical products. The use of aloe vera in constipation, inflammatory disorders, cancer, ulcer, and diabetes has also been investigated . The active constituents of aloe vera include polysaccharides with protective effects on skin, as they exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties . Common active polysaccharides include glucomannans, polymannose, and acemannan, or b-(1–4)-acetylated polymannose . Acemannan and other modified polysaccharides are responsible in preventing suppression of contact hypersensitivity or immune suppression induced by external factors such as irradiation .

Aloe polysaccharides mediate antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions, as well as immunoregulatory activities. Various studies indicate that aloe polysaccharides possess effective free radical scavenging activity in vitro, and produce potent antioxidant potential during oxidative stress in vivo . According to the findings of studies in vitro and in vivo, aloe polysaccharides exhibit radioprotective activity. Treatment with acemmanan, which is a common aloe polysaccharide, on CH3 mice with radiation-induced skin reactions resulted in reduced signs of those reactions . Studies suggest that aloe polysaccharides may evidently attenuate tumor growth in mice . Treatment of aloe polysaccharides in Vero cells as well as in the in vivo zebrafish model led to protective effects against AAPH-indued oxidative stress resulting from accumulation of free radical species and improved cell viability .

Hydrocortisone binds to the cytosolic glucocorticoid receptor. After binding the receptor the newly formed receptor-ligand complex translocates itself into the cell nucleus, where it binds to many glucocorticoid response elements (GRE) in the promoter region of the target genes. The DNA bound receptor then interacts with basic transcription factors, causing the increase in expression of specific target genes. The anti-inflammatory actions of corticosteroids are thought to involve lipocortins, phospholipase A2 inhibitory proteins which, through inhibition arachidonic acid, control the biosynthesis of prostaglandins and leukotrienes. Specifically glucocorticoids induce lipocortin-1 (annexin-1) synthesis, which then binds to cell membranes preventing the phospholipase A2 from coming into contact with its substrate arachidonic acid. This leads to diminished eicosanoid production. The cyclooxygenase (both COX-1 and COX-2) expression is also suppressed, potentiating the effect. In other words, the two main products in inflammation Prostaglandins and Leukotrienes are inhibited by the action of Glucocorticoids. Glucocorticoids also stimulate the lipocortin-1 escaping to the extracellular space, where it binds to the leukocyte membrane receptors and inhibits various inflammatory events: epithelial adhesion, emigration, chemotaxis, phagocytosis, respiratory burst and the release of various inflammatory mediators (lysosomal enzymes, cytokines, tissue plasminogen activator, chemokines etc.) from neutrophils, macrophages and mastocytes. Additionally the immune system is suppressed by corticosteroids due to a decrease in the function of the lymphatic system, a reduction in immunoglobulin and complement concentrations, the precipitation of lymphocytopenia, and interference with antigen-antibody binding.

Hydrocortisone is the most important human glucocorticoid. It is essential for life and regulates or supports a variety of important cardiovascular, metabolic, immunologic and homeostatic functions. Topical hydrocortisone is used for its anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive properties to treat inflammation due to corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses. Glucocorticoids are a class of steroid hormones characterised by an ability to bind with the cortisol receptor and trigger a variety of important cardiovascular, metabolic, immunologic and homeostatic effects. Glucocorticoids are distinguished from mineralocorticoids and sex steroids by having different receptors, target cells, and effects. Technically, the term corticosteroid refers to both glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids, but is often used as a synonym for glucocorticoid. Glucocorticoids suppress cell-mediated immunity. They act by inhibiting genes that code for the cytokines IL-1, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-alpha, the most important of which is the IL-2. Reduced cytokine production limits T cell proliferation. Glucocorticoids also suppress humoral immunity, causing B cells to express lower amounts of IL-2 and IL-2 receptors. This diminishes both B cell clonal expansion and antibody synthesis. The diminished amounts of IL-2 also leads to fewer T lymphocyte cells being activated.

Alcortin A
Uses
Dosage
Side Effect
Precautions
Interactions
Uses during Pregnancy
Uses during Breastfeeding
Accute Overdose
Food Interaction
Half Life
Volume of Distribution
Clearance
Interaction With other Medicine
Contradiction
Storage

Trade Name	Alcortin A
Generic	Hydrocortisone acetate + aloe vera leaf + iodoquinol
Weight	1%, 2%,
Type	Gel, Topical, Topical Gel
Therapeutic Class
Manufacturer
Available Country	United States,
Last Updated:	September 19, 2023 at 7:00 am

Uses

Indicated for use as a topical agent to soothe sensitive skin and to relieve symptoms of various skin conditions, including contact or atopic dermatitis, eczema, dermatitis and acne urticata, first- and second-degree burns, radiation dermatitis, and sunburn.

Hydrocortisone Acetate is used for:

Primary irritant dermatitis
Contact allergic dermatitis
Eczema: atopic, infantile, discoid, stasis
Seborrheic dermatitis
Lichen simplex and pruritus ani
Flexural psoriasis
Skin irritations, itching and rashes, for example those caused by insect bites, minor thermal burns, sunburn, etc

Alcortin A is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Acne, Atopic Dermatitis (AD), Contact dermatitis and other eczema, Dermatitis, Eczematous, Dermatosis, Folliculitis, Intertrigo, Lichen simplex chronicus, Moniliasis, Nummular Dermatitis, Pruritus Ani, Pyoderma, Stasis dermatitis, Disseminated Neurodermatitis, Genital pruritus, Localized NeurodermatitisAcute, Inflammatory Superficial Cutaneous Lesions caused by susceptible bacteria, Adrenal cortical hypofunctions, Anal Fissures, Anal inflammation, Androgenital syndrome, Conjunctivitis, Conjunctivitis allergic, Corneal Inflammation, Dermatitis infected, Diaper Dermatitis, Eczema infected, Episcleritis, Hemorrhoids, Iridocyclitis, Iritis, Ocular Inflammation, Ocular Irritation, Postoperative pain, Proctitis, Pruritus, Pruritus Ani, Radiation Induced Proctitis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Scleritis, Skin Infections, Skin Irritation, Superficial ocular bacterial infections caused by susceptible bacteria, Thyroiditis, Ulcerative Colitis, Anal eczema, Bacterial blepharitis, Corneal clouding, Corticosteroid responsive Dermatosis of the anal region, Corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses, Cryptitis, Localized uninfected hemorrhoids, Mild Anal Fissures, Pruritus associated with bowel movements, Skin and skin-structure infections caused by susceptible bacteria, Postoperative Eye Care

How Alcortin A works

It is suggested that aloe polysaccharides mediate skin-protectant effects in damaged skin, induced by internal or other external factors such as radiation, via inhibiting apoptosis of normal cell lines in vitro and thrombocytes in vivo . Following irradiation, aloe polysaccharides block the upregulation of pro-apoptotic p53, Bax, and Bad while blocking downregulating anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 . In vivo, aloe polysaccharides may act as a scavenger for oxygen free radicals including DPPH, alkyl radicals, superoxides, and singlet oxygen and hydroxyl radicals that may also be generated by superoxides . Hydrogen peroxide, which is a weak initiate lipid peroxidation, may also be effectively scavenged by aloe polysaccharides . In a Fenton reaction system, aloe polysaccharides demonstrated a concentration-dependent scavenging activity against hydroxyl radical that were generated during the reaction . Aloe polysaccharides may also compete with oxygen to react with nitric oxide (NO), thereby inhibiting the generation of nitrite and peroxynitrite anions that act as free radicals .

Findings from a study investigating the effects of aloe polysaccharides on doxorubicin-induced oxidative stress suggest that aloe polysaccharides mediate potent antioxidant actions in vivo . Doxorubicin, known to generate reactive oxygen species such as superoxide and hydroxy radicals, was administered to albino rats. This led to myocardial oxidative stress and cardiac injury accompanied by leakage of LDH and CPK from cardiac myocytes and to serum due to lipid peroxidation of cardiac membranes, reduced levels of antioxidant coenzyme GSH, and increased levels of SOD from a compensatory and combative mechanism of oxidative stress . Treatment with aloe polysaccharides resulted in a significant decrease in serum LDH and CPK levels, indicating that aloe polysaccharides are capable in stabilizing cardiac membranes from peroxidative damage. Restored levels of endogenous GSH and SOD in a dose-dependent manner were also observed with the treatment of aloe polysaccharides, suggesting that aloe polysaccharides exhibit potent antioxidant properties .

In a study of rats with open cutaneous back wounds, treatment with aloe polysaccharides decreased the levels of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) and induced tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) during the early stage of wound repair, resulting in decreased collagen breakdown and increased preservation of collagen content in the injured area . A study proposes that acemannan, a common aloe polysaccharide, stimulates BMSC proliferation, ALPase activity, expression of VEGF, BMP-2, OPN, BSP, and mineralization leading to osteoblast differentiation and bone formation during socket healing .

Dosage

Alcortin A dosage

Hydrocortisone cream should be applied in a thin smear to the affected area one to two times per day or as directed by the physician. The recommended duration of treatment is usually two weeks. For rectal use apply to the irritated anorectal tissue in the morning and at evening and after each bowel movement for two to six days.

Side Effects

Hydrocortisone Acetate 1% cream is usually well-tolerated, but if signs of hypersensitivity appear, application should be stopped.

Toxicity

The oral LD50 value of aloe polysaccharides in a mouse toxicity study was 6.1 g/kg . No cases of overdose reported.

Side effects include inhibition of bone formation, suppression of calcium absorption and delayed wound healing

Precaution

In infants and children, long-term continuous topical therapy should be avoided where possible, as adrenal suppression can occur. As with all corticosteroids, prolonged application to the face is undesirable.