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Journal of Integrative Medicine ›› 2021, Vol. 19 ›› Issue (6): 526-536.doi: 10.1016/j.joim.2021.09.002

• Original Experimental Research • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Carpobrotus edulis (L.) N.E.Br. extract as a skin preserving agent: from traditional medicine to scientific validation

Miriam Bazzicalupoa, Laura Cornaraa, Bruno Burlandob, Alberta Cascinia, Marcella Denaroc, Antonella Smeriglioc, Domenico Trombettac   

  1. a. Department for the Earth, Environment and Life Sciences (DiSTAV), University of Genova, Genova 16132, Italy
    b. Department of Pharmacy, University of Genova, Genova 16132, Italy
    c. Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina 98166, Italy
  • Received:2020-10-27 Accepted:2021-02-24 Online:2021-11-12 Published:2021-12-16
  • Contact: Bruno Burlando E-mail:burlando@difar.unige.it

Objective

Carpobrotus edulis (L.) N.E.Br. is a succulent perennial plant native to South Africa and grows invasively in the Mediterranean basin. It is commonly used for the treatment of various diseases, including skin wound healing and regeneration, for which experimental validation is lacking. We therefore evaluated the skin healing properties of C. edulis by testing an C. edulis aqueous leaf extract (CAE) on cell cultures and in enzymatic assays.

Methods

Micro-morphological analysis of leaves was carried out using scanning electron microscopy and epifluorescence microscopy. Phytochemical features and antioxidant activity of CAE were evaluated by reversed-phase liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection and electrospray ion trap mass spectrometry (RP-LC-DAD-ESI-MS), and in vitro cell-free assays. Biological activities were evaluated using keratinocytes and fibroblasts, as well as elastase, collagenase, and hyaluronidase.

Results

CAE showed high carbohydrates (28.59% ± 0.68%), total phenols ([101.9 ± 6.0] g gallic acid equivalents/kg dry extract [DE]), and flavonoids ([545.9 ± 26.0] g rutin equivalents/kg DE). RP-LC-DAD-ESI-MS revealed the predominant presence of hydroxycinnamic acids (51.96%), followed by tannins (14.82%) and flavonols (11.32%). The extract was not cytotoxic, had a strong and dose-dependent antioxidant activity, and inhibited collagenase (> 90% at 500 μg/mL) and hyaluronidase (100% at 1000 μg/mL). In cell culture experiments, CAE increased wound closure and collagen production, which was consistent with its high polyphenol content. 

Conclusion

Our data support the use of the C. edulis for skin care and the treatment of skin problems. Moreover, use of C. edulis for skin care purposes could be an eco-friendly solution to reduce its invasiveness in the environment.

Key words: Traditional medicine, Carbohydrates, Polyphenols, Antioxidant, Wound healing

[1] Gerli E.G. Herr, Fábio Goulart da Silva, Francisco José Cidral-Filho, Fabricia Petronilho, Lucinéia Gainski Danielski, Mariana Pereira de Souza Goldim, Afonso Shiguemi Inoue Salgado, Franciane Bobinski, Daniel Fernandes Martins, Eliane R. Winkelmann. Effects of the use of bioceramic wraps in patients with lower limb venous ulcers: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2020, 18(1): 27-.
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