California College of Ayurveda and the UC Davis Dermatology Department Publish Important Research related to the Herbal Treatment of Wounds
The California College of Ayurveda and UC Davis Dermatology Department have collaborated to publish important research related to the healing of wounds. The paper entitled: Polyphenol enriched botanical extract pretreatment protects keratinocytes against oxidative stress, focused the research on three herbs: Aloe Vera, Echinecea and Neem. It is well-known that oxidative stress is elevated in both acute and chronic conditions and that this impairs wound healing. Keratinocytes are the predominant cell found in the epidermis of skin. Keratinocyte motility is an important part of the process of wound healing. This study examined whether pretreatment with botanical extracts enriched in polyphenolic compounds could protect keratinocytes from oxidative stress. The results were encouraging and are summarized below.
Polyphenol enriched botanical extract pretreatment protects keratinocytes against oxidative stress
Raja K. Sivamani MD MS1, Dev S. Chahal1, Shirley Vu1, Balvinder Rehal MD1, Rasiq Zackria1, Li Tian PhD2, Marc Halpern DC CAS PKS3, R. Rivkah Isseroff MD1,4
- 1. Department of Dermatology, University of California – Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA;
- 2. Department of Plant Sciences, University of California – Davis, Davis, CA USA
- 3. California College of Ayurveda, Nevada City, CA, USA; 4. VA Northern California Health Care System, Mather, CA, USA
Results and Conclusions
- 1. Aqueous extracts of aloe vera, Echinacea, and neem had comparatively higher antioxidant activity compared to turmeric.
- 2. The solvent of extraction influences the final antioxidant status. In aqueous extracts, the principal antioxidants are believed to be polyphenolic compounds.
- 3. Hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative stress impairs keratinocyte migration but pretreatment with aloe vera, Echinacea, or neem protects the cells from migratory impairment in the presence of hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative stress.
- 4. Ascorbic acid pretreatment does not protect the cells from oxidative stress injury. However, phytochemicals such as epigallocatechin gallate and limonene protected cells from oxidative stress but curcumin exposure further impaired cell migration. Phytochemicals may be a more versatile antioxidant than ascorbic acid (vitamin C) since it may actively prime defense mechanisms within keratinocytes
- 5. Pretreatment with aloe vera, Echinacea, and neem increase NRF2 mRNA transcripts. Pretreatment with the main phytochemical in neem, azadirachtin, did not protect the cells against oxidative stress nor did it increase NRF2. This suggests that azadirachtin is not responsible for the active antioxidant properties of neem.
The collaboration between UC Davis Dermatology Department and the California College of Ayurveda was made possible by Dr. Raja Sivamani, a a member of the UC Davis Dermatology research team and Dr. Marc Halpern, President of the California College of Ayurveda.
For More Information Please Contact: Dr. Marc Halpern at at drh@ayurvedacollege.com. Or contact Dr. Raja Sivamani at rajasivamani@gmail.com.