RETRACTED: Ameliorative effect of gel combination of Centella asiatica extract transfersomes and rosemary essential oil nanoemulsion against UVB-induced skin aging in Balb/c mice [version 1; peer review: 3 approved with reservations]

RETRACTION NOTICE (3rd October 2023): The article by Khotimah H, Dewi Lestari Ismail D, Widasmara D et al. ‘Ameliorative effect of gel combination of Centella asiatica extract transfersomes and rosemary essential oil nanoemulsion against UVB-induced skin aging in Balb/c mice’[version 1; peer review: 3 approved with reservations] (https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.109318.1) has been retracted from F1000Research by the F1000 Editorial Team.

During prepublication checks of a new article by these authors, the F1000 Editorial Team noticed that the dataset and methodology of the new article were very similar to this published article. Investigation into the content of these two articles was performed by the F1000 Editorial Team, which revealed discrepancies in the ethical approval (approval document mentioned rats when the study was in mice; new article mentioned consent when study in animals) and methodology (wrong description of mouse model used); and concerns over the treatment of the mice (wellbeing concerns during shaving procedure and euthanasia) and authenticity of the data. The new article was rejected.

For this published article, the F1000 Editorial Team requested an explanation from the authors regarding the above issues, including a request for a copy of the ethical approval document, on 22^nd March and 29^th March 2023. The authors’ institution was contacted on 24th April and 21^st June 2023. The authors were unable to respond adequately to our queries; the institution has not responded to our requests.

The decision was made by the F1000 Editorial Team to retract this article, due to the inability to verify the ethical approval for this study, and concerns over data integrity and the study design, including the treatment of the mice.

The authors have seen a copy of this retraction notice. Husnul Khotimah and Dina Dewi Lestari Ismail agree with the retraction of the article. No responses were received from the other authors.