Cosmeceuticals from Medicinal Plants

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If "drugs" have been defined as compounds used in the treatment and prevention of diseases, or are intended to affect a physiological function, "cosmetics" have been labelled as substances that clean or enhance the appearance of the skin without therapeutic benefits. There is also a grey area bordering these two fields, for which the term "cosmeceuticals" has been defined. “Cosmeceuticals” are described as hybrids between drugs and cosmetic products which are able to enhance both health and beauty of the skin by external application. Cosmeceuticals, bridge the gap between pharmaceuticals, skin diseases and cosmetics. ‘Cosmeceuticals’ are topical cosmetic-pharmaceutical hybrids intended to enhance the beauty through ingredients that provide additional health-related function or benefits. The use of cosmetics will not have a therapeutic effect on the skin, however, cosmeceuticals have medicinal or drug-like benefits that are able to affect the biological functioning of skin owing to the type of functional ingredients they contain. Cosmeceuticals is an emerging research area and aligns with the economic challenge of the country.

This Research Topic will include studies that provide scientific evidence through research and development for advancing traditional Cosmeceuticals to the beauty, hygiene care and well being of people. Research must add new and scientifically substantive knowledge to our understanding of the pharmacology and use of medicinal plants, fungi and other organisms used locally or traditionally as cosmetics. Natural cosmetics include substances having medicinal effects against skin disorders such as acne, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, melasma (photoprotectants), age-spots, skin inflammation, wrinkle formation and scarring as well as hair problems including balding, hair thinning and alopecia etc. We intend to publish high-quality research papers, in addition to this, review articles giving an overview of recent advances pertaining to traditional plant-based cosmeceuticals. A key basis for this should be a review of literature relevant to the studied pharmacological activity and their implications for skin and hair pharmacology.

Research papers should focus on novel targets of pharmacological relevance involved in disease progression. Toxicological research and clinical studies on medicinal plants being used as cosmeceuticals are welcome. Rigorously evidence-based medical approaches should form the conceptual basis of submitted manuscripts, advancing the work to a point where identified study material/ lead compounds can undergo necessary investigation of the pharmacological efficacy of the compounds. Knowledge of the active ingredients also helps in the quality control and standardization of commercialized extracts, approximating more to the traditional forms, and this would give a greater assurance of safety and efficacy.

Media Contact:

Kathy Andrews
Managing Editor
Journal of Clinical & Experimental Dermatology Research