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Polypodium leucotomos

Polypodium leucotomos is a fern from Central America whose root stem is used to make medicine.

Polypodium le ucotomos is used to prevent certain skin problems including sunburn, eczema, psoriasis, white spot disease and skin cancer. Polypodium leucotomos is also used for other cancers and Alzheimer's disease.

How does Polypodium leucotomos work?

Polypodium le ucotomos may have antioxidant effects. Antioxidants can prevent damage caused by excessive sun exposure.

How effective is Polypodium leucotomos?

There is not enough scientific data to make a statement about the effectiveness of Polypodium leucotomos in the following applications:

  • Preventing sunburn: new research suggests that taking a specific Polypodium leucotomos extract (Fernblock, Cantabria Farmaceutica) before going out in the sun may reduce redness and signs of damage to the skin. New research also suggests that taking a specific Polypodium leucotomos extract (Difur, Cantabria Farmaceutica) or applying a lotion containing Polypodium leucotomos before sun exposure may reduce sun damage. A specific Polypodium leucotomos extract (Fernblock, Cantabria Farmaceutica) has been used in clinical studies on sunburn and sun damage.
  • Damage caused by sun exposure during treatment with psoralen: Psoralen is a drug used to treat psoriasis. Exposing the skin to UV light makes Psoralen work better in some patients. This combination is known as PUVA treatment. There is evidence that taking a specific Polypodium leucotomos extract (Fernblock, Cantabria Farmaceutica) before PUVA treatment reduces skin redness and signs of skin damage. Polypodium leucotomos also appears to reduce the darkening of the skin that occurs in some people after PUVA treatment. New research suggests that ingesting a Polypodium leucotomos extract (Difur, Cantabria Farmaceutica) or applying a lotion containing Polypodium leucotomos extract to the skin before UV light exposure may reduce skin damage in people who have more sensitive skin due to psoralen.
  • Psoriasis: Some evidence suggests that taking an aqueous extract of Polypodium leucotomos may improve the symptoms of severe psoriasis.
  • White spot disease: There are some reports that a specific Polypodium leucotomos extract (Anapsos, ASAC Pharma) can bring some color back to the skin in patients suffering from white spot disease.

There is also insufficient information on the efficacy of Polypodium leucotomos for eczema, Alzheimer's disease, skin cancer and other cancers.

Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of Polypodium leucotomos in these applications.

Safety and side effects

Polypodium leucotomos appears to be safe and harmless when used appropriately for only 2 days. The safety of long-term use is not known. There is very little information on possible side effects of Polypodium leucotomos. Polypodium leucotomos extract may cause stomach upset in some people.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and lactation: Not enough is known about the use of Polypodium leucotomos during pregnancy and lactation. For this reason, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid Polypodium leucotomos.

Interactions

There is currently no information available on interactions between Polypodium leucotomos and medicines or supplements.

Dosage

An appropriate dosage of Polypodium leucotomos depends on various factors such as age, state of health and others. At the present time, there is insufficient scientific data to make a statement about appropriate dosage ranges for Polypodium leucotomos. For this reason, you should follow the dosage instructions on the label and/or consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.

References

  1. Bernd A, Ramirez-Bosca A, Huber H, et al. In vitro studies on the immunomodulating effects of polypodium leucotomos extract on human leukocyte fractions. Arzneimittelforschung 1995;45:901-4.
  2. Garcia F, Pivel JP, Guerrero A, et al. Phenolic components and antioxidant activity of Fernblock, an aqueous extract of the aerial parts of the fern Polypodium leucotomos. Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol 2006;28:157-60.
  3. Gonzalez S, Alcaraz MV, Cuevas J, et al. An extract of the fern Polypodium leucotomos (Difur) modulates Th1/Th2 cytokines balance in vitro and appears to exhibit anti-angiogenic activities in vivo: pathogenic relationships and therapeutic implications. Anticancer Res 2000;20:1567-75.
  4. Gonzalez S, Pathak MA, Cuevas J, et al. Topical or oral administration with an extract of Polypodium leucotomos prevents acute sunburn and psoralen-induced phototoxic reactions as well as depletion of Langerhans cells in human skin. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed 1997;13:50-60.
  5. Gonzalez S, Pathak MA. Inhibition of ultraviolet-induced formation of reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation, erythema and skin photosensitization by polypodium leucotomos. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed 1996;12:45-56.
  6. Middelkamp-Hup MA, Pathak MA, Parrado C, et al. Oral Polypodium leucotomos extract decreases ultraviolet-induced damage of human skin. J Am Acad Dermatol 2004;51:910-8.
  7. Middelkamp-Hup MA, Pathak MA, Parrado C, et al. Orally administered Polypodium leucotomos extract decreases psoralen-UVA-induced phototoxicity, pigmentation, and damage of human skin. J Am Acad Dermatol 2004;50:41-9.
  8. Mohammad A. Vitiligo repigmentation with Anapsos (Polypodium leucotomos). Int J Dermatol 1989;28:479.
  9. Padilla HC, Lainez H, Pacheco JA. A new agent (hydrophilic fraction of polypodium leucotomos) for management of psoriasis. Int J Dermatol 1974;13:276-82.
  10. Sempere JM, Rodrigo C, Campos A, et al. Effect of Anapsos (Polypodium leucotomos extract) on in vitro production of cytokines. Br J Clin Pharmacol 1997;43:85-9.