BioCell Collagen

BioCell Collagen is a brand name for a hydrolyzed extracellular matrix (ECM) of the hyaline cartilage (articular cartilage) of chicken sternum, which naturally contains collagen type II andglycosaminoglycans (GAGs). It is different from hydrolyzed collagen also called collagen hydrolysate, gelatin, or gelatin hydrolysate, due to the presence of collagen type II instead of collagen type I and its co-presence of substantial amount of GAGs such as hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate.      

Source and Production

BioCell Collagen is derived from the hyaline cartilage in the sternum of young chicken employing a hydrolysis manufacturing process. The process of hydrolysis involves not only breaking down the molecular linkages in the triple helix of collagen trimers called tropocollagen but significantly reducing the molecular weight (or molecular mass) of collagen monomers to short chains ofpolypeptides.

Molecular composition and characteristics

BioCell Collagen contains approximately   % of protein (primarily collagen type II) and   % of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs).

The hydrolysis process reduces collagen protein of about    Dalton (unit) (Da) into a profile of polypeptides having an average molecular weight between  ,    and  ,    Da. In addition, the molecular weight of GAGs such as hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate is also significantly reduced.

Amino acid composition

The amino acid composition of BioCell Collagen remains very similar to that of collagen type II because it is the predominant type of collagen in its source, the chicken sternal cartilage. BioCell Collagen contains    amino acids, with glycine, proline and hydroxyproline at relatively higher amounts compared to other proteins.

GAG content

In addition to hydrolyzed collagen type II, BioCell Collagen contains a significant amount of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) such as chondroitin sulfate (approximately   %) and hyaluronic acid

Effect on Health

Absorption

A bioavailability study in human healthy volunteers showed that the concentration of hyaluronic acid in the blood increased approximately    folds when      mg of BioCell Collagen was ingested daily for   weeks.

The absorbability of hydrolyzed collagen was demonstrated in a mouse gut-sac experiment to be more than   %. Radioactivity used to label hydrolyzed collagen was found to be deposited into the connective tissue such as cartilage and skin.

At least some portion of hydrolyzed collagen appears to be absorbed as peptides into the small intestine as human subjects who ingested hydrolyzed chicken cartilage containing hydrolyzed collagen type II and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) showed in the bloodstream a profile of collagen-derived peptides including proline-hydroxyproline dipeptide.  

Cosmetics

The cosmetic version of BioCell Collagen is called BioCell Collagen CG (cosmetic grade), and pending is its application for listing in the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI) database as Collagen Peptide Aggrecan Hyaluronate Copolymer. It is a yellowish to amber liquid containing hydrolyzed collagen peptides and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid, and may be found in skin care products such as skin serum and cream.

Benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin

The drug combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin is a topical gel used for the treatment of acne. It is sold under the trade names Duac (byStiefel Labs) and BenzaClin (by Sanofi Aventis). Both contain  % clindamycin phosphate and  % benzoyl peroxide and are prescription drugs.

Side effects

Common side effects are peeling, itching, redness, dryness, burning, and dermatitis. Prolonged exposure to natural or artificial sun light (UV rays) is not recommended because the gel can cause photosensitivity. Also, benzoyl peroxide may cause bleaching of hair, clothing, et cetera, and topical clindamycin may rarely cause diarrhea or colitis.

Mode of action

Its activity is derived from the combined anti-bacterial action of clindamycin and from the comedolytic and anti-bacterial actions of benzoyl peroxide. Both ingredients have been shown to reduce the number of acne lesions with statistical significance.

Clindamycin phosphate is a water-soluble ester of the semi-synthetic antibiotic, clindamycin, which is synthesized from lincomycin. It prevents the Propionibacterium acnes bacteria from replicating by preventing it from making vital proteins. Benzoyl peroxide also kills P. acnes, but since it is an oxidizer, not an antibiotic, it is not subject to P. acnes resistance like clindamycin is. Also, benzoyl peroxide dries out the area, preventing clogged pores and is a keratolytic agent.

How supplied

Duac comes supplied in two ways, in a    gram tube, and in the DUAC CS Convenience Kit, containing the    gram tube and a bottle of SFC Lotion, a soap-free cleanser that is applied to either wet or dry skin then rubbed off with a tissue or soft cloth.

Barrier cream

A barrier cream is a topical formulation used in industrial, medical, and sporting environments to place a physical barrier between the skin and contaminants which may irritate (contact dermatitis or occupational dermatitis), or infect the skin.

Medical application

Barrier preparations which can be a cream, ointment or aerosol spray often contain substances which repel water such as silicone, zinc oxide, or dimethicone, sometimes as combinations such as Silon (dimethicone and zinc oxide).    Typical applications are in occluded skin-to-skin contacts such as body folds or flexural areas. A common use for barrier creams and ointments is diaper rash. Examples of these products are Desitin and Penaten.

Industrial applications

Barrier creams have been used in industry to protect workers' skin from the contaminants encountered in manufacturing trades. In this application a barrier cream may also be water repellent but may also need to repel certain solvents present in mineral oils, gasoline, paints, lubricants and ink. China clay or kaolinite can be added to physically block the skin's pores. Industrial barrier creams have different formulations according to the type or work undertaken.

Sporting application

Wrestlers and others who regularly grapple are exposed to a wide variety of skin problems arising from small cuts and scrapes and germs and bacteria transmitted by close contact. Wrestling teams commonly apply barrier creams before each practice in an attempt to reduce prevalence of skin infection.    Studies have shown that use of a barrier cream, in addition to following a strict skin disease protocol reduces the occurrence of ringworm among athletes.    Commonly used barrier creams include Kennedy Industries 'KS Skin Creme'    and Defense Soap's 'Defense Barrier Foam'.   

Baby powder

Baby powder is an astringent powder used for preventing diaper rash, as a deodorant, and for other cosmetic uses. It may be composed of talc (in which case it is also called talcum powder) or corn starch. Talcum powder is harmful if inhaled since it may cause aspiration pneumonia orgranuloma.    Drugs such as cocaine are sometimes cut with talcum powder.    It is also an ingredient in counterfeit pharmaceuticals and food products as a bulking agent in order to give the appearance of a larger quantity than actually present.    Paediatricians generally prefer cornstarch to talc because it is unlikely to be easily inhaled.  

The ingredients of Johnson's baby powders are listed as Zea Mays starch, Tricalcium Phosphate and Fragrance or Talc and Parfum.

Aqueous Cream BP

Aqueous Cream BP  is a light, hydrocarbon-based emulsion, which is officially registered in the British Pharmacopoeia and categorised by the British National Formulary as a non-proprietary emollient preparation.    It is used as a topical, external medicine, emollient moisturiser and general-purpose substitute for toiletries such as soap, shower gel, shaving cream and lip salve.

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Ingredients

The common ingredients are:

·         liquid hydrocarbons

·         white soft paraffin wax

·         purified water

·         emulsifying wax containing sodium lauryl sulphate

·         cetostearyl alcohol

·         chlorocresol

Indications

It is commonly prescribed in the United Kingdom for conditions such as eczema, aquagenic pruritus or atopic dermatitis.    Whilst undergoing radiotherapy, patients are advised to use aqueous cream as part of a skin care regime to remedy the erythema that is caused by such treatment.