Abstract
The objectives of the study were to develop functional natural fiber clothing with microcapsules containing active herbal extracts with properties enhancing the treatment of dermatoses and to confirm the efficiency of the clothing's activity by testing its effect on the biophysical parameters of human skin.
As a result of the work, clothing enriched with green tea and Viola tricolor extracts enclosed in ethyl cellulose microcapsules was produced. The microcapsules were applied on the inner surface of linen knitted fabric, which ensured direct contact of the active substances with the patients' affected skin.
The efficiency of the clothing was tested according to our own methodology, which included wearing tests, microbiological tests of the skin and tests of skin moisture, transepidermal water loss and itching intensity. Also, the effect of the active substances present on the fabrics on the in vitro culture of human keratinocytes was evaluated.
The test results confirmed that linen clothing enriched with medicinal plant extracts enclosed in microcapsules had an effect on the reduction of itching intensity, an increase in skin moisture, reduction of transepidermal water loss and a reduction of pathogenic bacterial colonies residing on the patients' skin. They confirmed that the new method of administering herbal substances to the skin of dermatological patients via the wearing of functional clothing is effective and leads to symptom relief. The studies allowed for the filing of a patent submission, number P 411869, titled “The clothing acting as a dressing supplement in the therapy of dermatological diseases.”
The development of innovative technologies has enabled the creation of a relatively new category of textiles, the so-called cosmetotextiles, which, thanks to microcapsules used in cosmetology, allow for the improvement of skin moisture levels, hydration, elasticity and the immune response.1–4 Clothing made of natural cellulosic fibers such as flax and organic cotton (OC) provide relaxation and general well-being of the users.5–7 It was confirmed that the flax fibers from specific varieties of the plant, extracted from stems via the dew retting method, has inherent bioactivity and shows antioxidative 8 and antibacterial properties, 9 which justifies the use of natural fabrics/knitted fabrics from flax and OC for the production of clothing with care and therapeutic properties.
The development of microencapsulation technology has caused the development of a new range of clothing, e.g. cosmetotextiles. The cosmetotextiles are usually enriched with microcapsules containing substances such as herbal extracts, compounds containing vitamin E, aloe vera or others to ensure the delivery of active substances with specific action to the skin. Cosmetotextiles, via direct contact with the skin, contribute to the improvement of moisture content, skin condition and vitality, delay the ageing process or have a slimming or anti-cellulite effect, among others.1,10–12
In this study, encapsulation technology using herbal extracts was applied to develop natural fiber clothing supporting skin disease treatment.
The therapeutic properties of herbs have been used for skin care since ancient time. Green tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze) 13 is used mostly for deodorization and ultraviolet (UV) protection as it contains active components across a wide biological spectrum such as polyphenols including caffeine, flavonoids and phenolic acid, and displays anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, antineoplastic and antibacterial action.14,15 Heartsease (Viola tricolor L.), due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of flavonoids and anthocyanins, was regarded as a traditional remedy against several skin diseases: scabies, itch, ulcers, eczema, psoriasis and acne.16,17 Eczema, despite its different pathogenesis (atopic eczema or contact allergic and irritant dermatitis), is usually a chronic, inflammatory skin disease with periods of flares. In the chronic phase, patients present dry skin with lichenification and scaling together with pruritus. Skin dryness is connected with an impaired barrier function in the stratum corneum and may give rise to changes in biophysical skin parameters: decreased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and low skin surface hydration levels. TEWL is a noninvasive in vivo measurement of water loss across the stratum corneum. 18 Skin surface hydration could be assessed with another noninvasive method called corenometry. The disrupted epidermal barrier causes skin to be susceptible to irritants, allergens and microbes. Textiles are one of the environmental factors with potential irritant or allergic properties. Wood and rough synthetic clothing may exacerbate or even cause dermatitis and pruritus, particularly in atopic individuals. 19 It seems that proper clothing may protect the skin against irritants and that textiles with anti-inflammatory proprieties, apart from dermatological treatment and the use of emollients, may help to decrease the number of exacerbations of eczema and in this way also reduce pruritus.
The objective of the research was to investigate the effect of the developed functional clothing on biophysical parameters of the skin in the course of chronic dermatitis in order to ensure proper care during pharmacological therapy.
Materials and methods
The experimental assumptions
The analysis of the patients' preferences and the therapeutic methods in cases of dermatological diseases allowed us to define the requirements for the bioactive clothing in terms of safety for the skin, the effect of supporting the treatment and personalization. The evaluation of the importance of the factors supporting the treatment is presented in Figure 1.
The evaluation of the importance of the factors supporting the treatment of dermatological diseases. 0 represents no effect, 1 represents moderate effect and 2 represents a crucial factor determining the success of treatment of the dermatological diseases.
The analysis presented above enabled us to formulate the assumptions for the technological process including the following aspects:
Safety for the skin: using the natural knitted fabrics and/or fabrics made of linen or OC ensures a positive effect on human physiology; technological processes of producing the clothing without chemical agents that could cause allergies or skin irritation in patients; the dyeing process of the knitted and woven fabrics with the use of natural dyestuffs extracted from plants known for their therapeutic activity such as: dyer's coreopsis Coreopsis tinctoria, madder Rubia tinctorum and dyer's broom Genista tinctoria; and the dyeing and application of the microcapsules that improve the barrier properties of the clothing against UV, thanks to which the patient's sensitive skin will be protected against harmful UV radiation. Supporting treatment of the skin diseases: the inner layer of the clothing covered with microcapsules containing herbal extracts: V. tricolor and green tea with proven healing properties for dermatological problems; the density of microcapsule application on the textile surface and the intensity of the release of the active substances should ensure dosing of the herbal substances at a level sufficient to achieve the supporting effect of the clothing; wearing of the clothing should result in improvement of skin microflora and skin moisture, strengthening of its structure, have an antibacterial effect, protect against infections and also minimize the risk of irritation; physiological and sensory comfort should be ensured; and the absence of allergenic and/or irritating action. Multi-level personalization included individual selection of the bioactive herbal extracts for encapsulation in microcapsules, characterized by the ability to support the treatment of dermatoses of specific patients, placing the active elements in the clothing structure depending on the location of skin lesions and adjusting the clothing to the patient's body shape, taking into consideration individual stylistic and color preferences. The bioactive elements, personalized in terms of character and intensity of action and covered with microcapsules, ensured controlled release of the active substances by using a mixture of polymers and active substances.
With the aim of producing bioactive clothing that would fulfil the needs of dermatological patients, a technological scheme was developed (Figure 2).
The technological scheme for the production of the functional clothing.
In order to guarantee that the patients' needs are fulfilled by the clothing, apart from physiological comfort, it should actively affect skin moisture and reduce itching and pathogenic bacterial colonies, while maintaining of the natural microbiome; the clothing should not cause allergies and/or irritation of the skin.
Materials
Ultraviolet protection factor classification system
UPF: ultraviolet protection factor; UV: ultraviolet light.
All of the materials used in the technology came from controlled production in terms of chemical use. No chemicals hazardous for human health were used in order to reduce the risk of allergic reactions and skin irritation. The textile materials have been dyed with natural dyestuffs obtained from plants: madder R. tinctorium, plain coreopsis C. tinctoria and dyer's broom G. tinctoria, which are characterized by anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidative properties. Plant mordants: myrobalan and oak gall were applied to ensure a proper dyeing process and high quality coloration.20,21
To support skin disease treatment, the knitted surface was covered with a mix of microcapsules containing active herbal extracts, e.g. microcapsules filled with green tea and microcapsules with V. tricolor at a proportion of 50/50. The bioactive elements of the clothing were made of LE knitted fabric, which allowed for the maximization of microcapsule contact with the patient's skin.
Green tea and V. tricolor water–ethanol extracts (50% ethanol (according to Polish pharmakopoeia VI, 2002, volume I)) were prepared. The crushed raw material was moistened with a solvent at an amount equivalent to 30–40% of the material mass and left for 3 hours. Then, the material was taken to a percolator and subjected to ethanol extraction (50%) at a material/solvent ratio of 1/10. The process was conducted at the temperature of 20–25℃ for 24 hours. Then, the alcohol was distilled from the obtained percolate at lowered pressure and a temperature of 40–45℃ with the use of a rotating evaporator. Next, the remaining material was frozen at –50℃ in containers for freeze-drying and lyophilized at a pressure of 0.5 hPa. Microcapsules with an ethyl cellulose shell were obtained by solvent evaporation from the emulsion. The oil-in-water emulsion was obtained by homogenization of the organic phase (150 mg ethyl cellulose in 6 ml of dichloromethane) in the aqueous phase (30 ml) containing an aqueous solution of green tea or V. tricolor extract (150 mg in 6 ml of water) and a surfactant (1% solution of poly(vinyl alcohol)). The microcapsules were created after complete removal of the solvent from the droplets by evaporation during the mixing process (1400 rpm). The manufactured microcapsules were washed, decanted and dried. The flax knitted fabric with elastane fibers added, after preliminary dying with natural dyes, was sprayed with a 3% sodium alginate in water solution, which is used as a binder. The microcapsules were deposited with the use of a powder sprayer onto the surface prepared in this way. The modifier was applied onto the ready cut-outs in a 1:1 mixture of microcapsules containing the V. tricolor extract and the green tea extract. The amount applied onto the product was estimated at the level of 6 g/m2. Then, the product was sprayed with sodium alginate solution again. The binder was transformed into a product insoluble in water by immersing the material in 10% calcium chloride solution. The mix of microcapsules with V. tricolor and green tea extracts was applied to the inner surface of the knitting in a way that ensured direct contact of the clothing with the patient's affected skin. A scheme of personalization and the design of the functional clothing is shown in Figures 3 and 4, respectively.
Scheme of clothing personalization: (a) Three-dimensional body scan process, (b) design, (c) development of clothing forms, (d) process of virtual material generation and (e) data verification and virtual fitting for clothing. Design of functional clothing for a patient with dermatitis occurring on the skin of the arms. The inner surfaces of the sleeves were covered with active microcapsules.
Methodology
Testing of the structural parameters and properties of the OC and linen knitted fabrics
The tests were conducted according to commonly used standards listed below:
Mass per square meter (g/m2): PN-ISO 3801:1993 (fabrics) and PN-P-04613:1997 (knitted fabrics); the method consists of determining the weight of a fabric/knitted fabric with specific dimensions. Fabric density/10 cm (-): PN-EN 1049-2:2000 (fabrics) and PN-EN 14971:2007 (knitted fabrics); determination of the number of threads per 10 cm of fabric and number of loops per 10 cm of knitted fabric. Hygroscopicity of fabric tested in 65 and 100% of relative humidity of air (%): PN-P- 04635:1980; determination of the fabric's ability regarding water vapor sorption from the ambient air in conditions of 65 and 100% of relative humidity expressed as the quotient of the mass difference of the sample kept in a desiccator at 65 or 100% air humidity and the dry mass of the sample, and the dry weight of the sample expressed in percent points according to the standard for the evaluation of fibers and textiles. The result of the test is an average value calculated for five measurements for each type of fabric. Ability regarding water sorption (drop method) (s): JIS 1090:1990; determination of time (in seconds) of complete absorption of water drops dripped on the fabric surface, measured from drop reaching the specimen until it ceases to have a special reflection. The result of the test is an average value calculated from 10 measurements for each type of fabric. Air permeability (mm/s): PN-EN ISO 9237:1998; with use of Tester III FX 3300, which determined the amount of air given in mm/s flowing through the fabric. The result of the test is an average value calculated for 20 measurements for each type of fabric. Thermal resistance (m2C/W): PN-EN 31092:1998/Ap1:2004; testing with use of a Sweating Guarde Hot Plate is done in controlled conditions: temperature of the measurement unit 35℃, air temperature 20℃, relative humidity of air 65% and air speed 1 m/s. The specimen is placed on an electrically heated plate. The thermal resistance of the material is calculated as the arithmetic mean of individual measurements. Water vapour resistance (m2Pa/W]): PN-EN 31092:1998/Ap1:2004; test is done in controlled conditions with use of a Sweating Guarde Hot Plate. For the determination of water vapour resistance of fabric, an electrically heated porous plate is covered by a water vapour-permeable but liquid water-impermeable membrane. The water vapour resistance of the material is calculated as the arithmetic mean of individual measurements. Breaking force (N): PN-EN ISO 13934-1:2013; determination of maximum force using the strip method is done with use of an Automatic Tensile Tester (STATIMAT ME). The fabric specimen of specified dimensions is extended at a constant rate up to rupture. The maximum force at rupture is recorded. The result of the test is an average value calculated from five measurements in both directions (weft and warp) for each type of fabric. Stiffness (mNm): PN-EN ISO 9073-7:2011; the method consists of measuring the length of an overhanging rectangular strip of fabric supported on a horizontal platform, and the strip is advanced in the direction of its length so that an increasing part overhangs the platform and bends down under its own weight. Then, the flexural rigidity is calculated. The result of the test is an average value calculated from six measurements for each type of fabric. Abrasion resistance (number of cycles]): PN-EN ISO 12947-2:2000/AC:2006; this test is conducted with use of a Martindale Abrasion and Pilling Tester. The evaluation of the abrasion resistance of the fabric is determined from the inspection interval to the breakdown of the specimens. The result of the test is an average value calculated from four measurements for each sample. Solar UV protective properties; method of test for apparel fabrics(-): PN-EN 13758-1+A1:2007; determination of the UV protection factor (UPF) of a dry fabric covered by microcapsule solution was done with the use of a Cary 50 Solascreen apparatus on six samples. The average value of the UPF was classified according to the classification system contained in this standard.
The polyphenol content in ethanol–water extracts of the tested raw materials
In order to standardize the extracts, the content of the main biologically and pharmacologically active substances was determined with relevant analytical methods (e.g. determination of the flavonoid content by the Christ–Muller method, and of tannins and polyphenols with spectrophotometry).
Determination of flavonoids was expressed as quercetin in the case of the green tea extract and violantin in the case of V. tricolor extract.
Total flavonoids expressed as quercetin were analyzed according to European Pharmacopeia 6 (monography of birch leaf) and the flavonoids expressed as violantin for the V. tricolor extract were determined according to Polish pharmakopoeia IX 01/2008:1855.
The flavonoid content was calculated according to the formula below
The content of hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives expressed as rosemarinic acid was calculated according to Polish pharmakopoeia VIII 01/2008:1560.
The percent value of total hydrocinnaminic acid derivatives was calculated according to the formula below
The specific absorbance for the rosemarinic acid was accepted at 400. A is the absorbance of the studied solution at λ = 505 nm and m is the weighted sample (g).
The content of tannins was expressed as pyrogallol and calculated according to FP IX 01/2008:20814.
The formula applied was as follows
The studies of the kinetics of the release of the active substances from the microcapsules
In order to release the core material, 0.1 g of ethyl cellulose microcapsules containing herbal extract were ground in a ball mill and 4 ml of water poured onto it. The mixture was heated up to its boiling point, and then heated at 40℃ for 5 days. To study the kinetics of core material release, samples in the form of tablets were prepared. First, 0.1 g microcapsules in the form of powder were pressed to form a tablet of 12 mm diameter and 100 ml of water was poured onto it. The flask was closed tightly and placed in an incubator at a temperature of 40℃, and 2 ml samples of the solution were collected at specified intervals to study the absorption. In both cases, the amount of core material was determined by means of spectroscopy using a UV-Vis (visible light) Perkin Elmer spectrophotometer with Lambda 2 software. The amounts of the released extracts were determined on the basis of reference curves of water extracts of green tea (absorption at the wavelength of 273 nm) and V. tricolor (absorption at the wavelength of 268 nm). The tests were carried out for four samples. Release of herbal extract from capsules was investigated for 150 hours at 40℃ and the study was continued at room temperature for 1 month. An analysis of the stability of the modification under washing was done. Samples of knitted fabric covered by microcapsules before and after 20 cycles of washing were extracted to distilled water at 36℃ for 24 hours. The extraction module was 1:50. The amount of released herbal extracts were analyzed using UV-Vis spectroscopy. The intensity of the peak obtained at 270 nm was assessed and compared with a standard curve. In this test, both extracts—green tea and V. tricolor—were released together.
The study of developed clothing bioactivity and its influence on human skin
The studies of the antibacterial properties were conducted on Staphylococcus aureus bacteria isolated from the patients under the following conditions: 0.5 McF for density of the bacterial suspension, 37℃ for incubation temperature of the tested materials and 90 minutes incubation.
The antibacterial effect was evaluated via a standard diffusion method: PN-EN ISO 20645:2006. 22 The assessment of bacterial viability was done with the use of a Bacterial Viability Kit (Molecular Probes) with a fluorescent microscope.
Cytotoxic studies were conducted on human keratinocytes (human epidermal keratinocytes, adult) grown in Medium EpiLife® culture medium supplemented with growth factors (human keratinocyte growth supplement) and antibiotics (gentamicin and amphotericin). Dishes for cell culture were covered with coating matrix kit protein to increase cell adhesion. All products were obtained from Life Technologies, Poland. To assess the potential cytotoxicity of substances contained in the textiles, textile samples (1 cm2 for 5 ml medium) were incubated for 60 minutes in the medium in order to release all substances into the medium. Then, keratinocyte cultures were exposed to the medium in vitro. Keratinocyte viability was determined by mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity (MTT assay), 23 keratinocyte proliferation was assessed based on 3H-methylthymidine incorporation into the DNA of proliferating cells, and interleukin 6 (IL-6) synthesis by keratinocytes was used as an indicator of proinflammatory and irritating activity. 24
The efficiency of the functional clothing was assessed with the wear test. Six women suffering from chronic inflammatory and pruritic dermatoses (two with prurigo nodularis, two with nonallergic contact dermatitis and two with atopic dermatitis), who gave their informed consent and agreed to wear the functional clothing for 5 weeks during both day and night, were included to the study. Although patients had been treated with topical corticosteroids, emollients and systemic antihistamines for two years, lesions and symptoms of diseases were present. After qualifying for the study, personalization of the clothing was conducted, then the clothing was designed and sewn into versions for day and night-time wear. Skin examination was performed twice: before the wear test and after 5 weeks of the usage of functional clothing. Biophysical parameters: corneometry, TEWL and skin pH were measured with noninvasive methods using an MPA 9 System (Courage-Khazaka). 25 Itch intensity was assessed with the Numerical Rating Scale. Patients were asked to assign a numerical score representing the intensity of itching on a scale from 0–10, with 0 for no symptoms and 10 for the worst intensity of itching. 26 Swabs from skin lesions were taken for bacteriological examination. At the end of the experiment, all women validated the comfort and esthetic value of the functional clothing, rating them from 0–10. The experiment was approved by the Bioethics Committee of the Poznan University of Medical Sciences (229/14).
Results and discussion
The properties of the materials used in the study
The structural parameters and properties of the fabrics made of organic cotton and linen knitted fabrics
LE: 96% linen/4% elastane; OC: organic cotton; PL: pure linen.
The textile materials used in the study were characterized by properties that ensure wearing comfort under everyday conditions: the fabric made of OC is characterized by air permeability of 230 mm/s and hygroscopicity of 8% in 65% relative air humidity; the PL fabric is characterized by air permeability of 2654 mm/s and hygroscopicity of 8.5% in 65% relative air humidity; and the LE fabric is characterized by air permeability of 1500 mm/s and hygroscopicity of 7.5%. High hygroscopicity and air permeability of the materials used for the clothing ensure unrestricted breathing for the patients' skin.
Thermal resistance of all the tested textile materials ranged between 0.0322 and 0.0459 m2C/W, which meant that under conditions of moderate physical activity of the patients wearing the clothing (activity at 58–92.8 W/m2, i.e. 1–1.6 met) in ambient conditions at 24–30℃, 50% relative air humidity and relative air movement below 20m/s, the clothing would ensure its users' physiological comfort. 27
Low bending stiffness, especially in the case of the PL and LE knitted fabrics, reflects the soft touch of the knitted fabrics. The tested textile materials are characterized by abrasion resistance acceptable for that kind of textile application.
The barrier properties of the fabric samples
LE: 96% linen/4% elastane; OC: organic cotton; PL: pure linen.
The application of the microcapsules containing the green tea and V. tricolor extracts on the dyed LE knitted fabric resulted in further improvement of the UV barrier properties. This was linked to further densification of the knitted structure by gluing the spaces between the threads with the microcapsule solution and the antioxidant activity of the extracts.
The content of active substances in herbal extracts
The content of polyphenolic compounds in ethanol–water extracts (1:1) from the tested raw materials
The release kinetics of the substances from the microcapsules
The obtained microcapsules containing green tea extract are light beige, whereas those containing V. tricolor extract have of slightly greenish hue. Based on our research, it was found that in microcapsules with green tea the core material accounts for 39.96% w/w and for 14.16% w/w in V. tricolor ones. The obtained microcapsules had a spherical shape and polynuclear morphology (see Figure 5).
Scanning electron microscope images of ethyl cellulose microcapsules with (a) V. tricolor extract and (b) and (c) partially destroyed microcapsules with green tea extract.
The size of the microcapsules affects their functionality, mechanical properties and appearance. The size of the microcapsules was within the 2.19–217.8 μm and 2.5–219.9 μm ranges for V. tricolor and green tea extract capsules, respectively. The presence of smaller capsules increases the surface of the coated textile product, as well as promoting the extended release time of the plant extract. The larger ones allow encapsulation of a larger amount of core material, but are at the same time more susceptible to damage as a result of pressure and friction. The presence of differently sized microcapsules allows an increase in the time of plant extract release. Based on the results shown in Figure 6, it can be concluded that ethyl cellulose microcapsules are characterized by different rates of core material release in a water bath at 40℃ and that the active substances were released with constant intensity until 150 hours.
Plant extract release from an ethyl cellulose shell microcapsule depending on the type of the core material.
Microcapsules made of chitosan and sodium alginate composite filled with Asian traditional herbal medicines were previously used for the functionalization of cotton textiles dedicated to atopic dermatitis treatment.28–29 The research described by Hui et al. 28 brought good results in terms of cytotoxicity and drug release properties but significant loss of major active ingredients of the herbal medicines were observed in the fabrication of the microcapsules, resulting in low efficiency of the therapy. In our study, we used a solution with ethyl cellulose microcapsules filled with herbal extracts for bonding with linen knitted fabric surfaces to ensure that the active substances were released during therapy.
The results confirm the long-term bioactivity of the developed clothing. Evaluation of wearing and washing fastness indicated that after 5 weeks of use as everyday clothing and 20 cycles of washing (with application of a gentle process without detergents), some microcapsules were still present on the knitted fabric surface and release of active extracts was reduced to 8% the initial level, which was 53%.
The functional clothing's effects on patients with skin diseases
The antibacterial properties of the fabric samples after subsequent technological steps
LE: 96% linen/4% elastane; OC: organic cotton; PL: pure linen.
The results of the microbiological activity tests for the developed textiles showed an improvement in the antibacterial properties towards S. aureus in the case of LE knitted fabric dyed with R. tinctorium, C. tinctoria and G. tinctoria with the herbal extracts applied in the microcapsules.
The application of antibacterial textiles in atopic dermatitis treatment has received extensive attention and has been considered by many researchers.30–32 In fact, the colonization of S. aureus bacteria is generally correlated with the severity of dermatitis. 33 It can be caused by immunomodulatory toxins with superantigen properties secreted by S. aureus, which can stimulate the activation of T cells and macrophages, and thus induce skin inflammation and exacerbate atopic dermatitis. Textiles with antibacterial activity, like the functional clothing developed in this study, can effective support skin disease treatment.
The active components of the investigated materials proved not to be cytotoxic to keratinocytes as they did not influence their proliferation in the cytotoxic tests. They also did not display irritant properties, as no stimulation of interleukin 6 (IL-6) release was observed.
The intensity of itching before the usage of the clothing ranged from 6–10 (mean 8.2 ± 2.0) and decreased after 5 weeks of wear to 4–6 (mean 5.4 ± 1.1). No influence on skin saprophytic bacteria was observed at the end of the wear test. In two cases, microbiologic examination showed S. aureus colonization of the skin before the wearing period and negative results at the end of the test.
A previous study on functional textiles using microcapsules containing gallic acid was reported by Meritxel at al. 34 The authors developed a specific in vitro percutaneous absorption methodology to demonstrate the skin penetration of an antioxidant, gallic acid, encapsulated in poly-"-caprolactone microcapsules. In our study, examination of functional clothing use by patients with skin diseases in real conditions has allowed us to answer the question of dermatosis treatment efficiency, as reported below.
Changes of biophysical parameters of the skin before and after the wear test
AU: arbitrary units.
Figure 7 shows subjective patient opinions about the wearing of the developed clothing, expressed as numerical scores in the range 1–10, where 1 represents lowest satisfaction and 10 represents greatest satisfaction. The evaluated parameters were: wear comfort, esthetic advantages of daily clothing, esthetic advantages of night clothing, ease of care and a general rating.
The results of subjective evaluation of the different parameters of the tested clothing in after the wear test.
The test results confirm that the new method of administering herbal medicinal substances to the patients' skin by wearing functional clothing, for patients with chronic pruritic dermatoses, is efficient and leads to a reduction of TEWL and better skin hydration. As a result, skin barrier function is enhanced; together with dermatological therapy, this can help to reduce symptoms associated with the diseases. The studies allowed for the filing of a patent submission (no. P 411869), titled “The clothing acting as a dressing supplement in the therapy of dermatological diseases.”
Conclusions
As the results of the study indicate, naturally dyed clothing made of natural fibers, i.e. linen and OC, enriched with encapsulated active herbal extracts of green tea and V. tricolor in microcapsules applied on the fabrics' surface, efficiently supports the treatment of dermatological diseases. The developed clothing is safe for sensitive skin, is not cytotoxic or irritant to keratinocytes, protects against UV radiation, and improves skin lubrication and hydration.
The validation method applied to evaluate the efficiency of the functional clothing's action, which included testing the biophysical parameters of the dermatological patients' skin during the wearing tests, is an adequate method for the needs of the presented study and allows for unequivocal confirmation of the positive effect of the clothing on the process of treating dermatoses.
Footnotes
Acknowledgements
This study was conducted within project no. 177463, PBS1 – Path A, titled “Bioactive clothing of health promoting and skin care properties” financed by the Polish National Centre for Research and Development. The project was approved by the Bioethics Committee of the Poznan University of Medical Sciences (229/14).
Authors would like to thank Marko-Kolor Company and the research team A. Cichocka, S. Kowalska, M. Muzyczek and others for participation in this study.
Declaration of conflicting interests
The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship and/or publication of this article.
Funding
The authors disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: The study was conducted within Project Number 177463, PBS1 – Path A, titled “Bioactive clothing of health promoting and skin care properties” financed by The National Centre for Research and Development in Poland.