Polypodium leucotomos

Author:Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer

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Last updated on: 29.10.2020

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Synonym(s)

Golden spotted fern

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DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.

Polypodium leucotomos (PLE) is an epiphytic fern species which was originally native to Central America and is also called "calaguala" there. The Mayas used Polypodium leucotomos as "blood purification tea". Polypodium leucotomos rarely grows on the ground. The plant has a thick, highly branched rhizome covered with red scales. The stems are long and connected to the rhizome by small polypodia. The leaves are 30-150 cm long, 18-50 cm wide, with 10-40 cm long leaf stems and a blunt, sharp or rounded end. They can be firm, herbaceous, papery or membranous-leathery, mostly they are smooth. They are now cultivated in plantations in various countries of Latin and South America.

EffectsThis section has been translated automatically.

Antioxidant, scavenger of free radicals and free oxygen groups. Therefore photoprotective properties against the effects of UV rays.
  • Inhibition of the loss of Langerhans cells
  • Inhibition of the formation of cyclobutane-pyrimidine dimers by UVB rays
  • Inhibition of collagen proteinases
  • Inhibition of the migration of mast cells into the skin.

Field of application/useThis section has been translated automatically.

Use as a peroral light protection agent.

As an experimental method for:

DosageThis section has been translated automatically.

Heliocare: 2-3 cps/day p.o.

Trade namesThis section has been translated automatically.

Heliocare oral (combination preparation with beta-carotene and green tea).

LiteratureThis section has been translated automatically.

  1. Caccialanza M (2007) Photoprotective activity of oral polypodium leucotomos extract in 25 patients with idiopathic photodermatoses. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed 23: 46-47
  2. Janczyk A et al (2007) A Polypodium leucotomos extract inhibits solar-simulated radiation-induced TNF-alpha and iNOS expression, transcriptional activation and apoptosis. Exp Dermatol 6:823-829
  3. Middelkamp-Hup MA (2007) Treatment of vitiligo vulgaris with narrow-band UVB and oral Polypodium leucotomos extract: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 21: 942-950
  4. Middelkamp-Hup MA, Pathak MA, Parrado C, Goukassian D, Rius-Diaz F, Mihm MC, Fitzpatrick TB, Gonzalez S (2007) Oral Polypodium leucotomos extract decreases ultraviolet-induced damage of human skin. J Am Acad Dermatol 51: 910-918

Authors

Last updated on: 29.10.2020

Author: Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer