Hamamelis liquid extract 81.54% gel

ObjectivesAlthough skin disorders in children and adolescents are increasingly treated with phytotherapies in practice, there are very few studies investigating this topic, and no systematic review exists that summarizes the current state of research. This review examines which herbal medicines show to be effective to treat atopic dermatitis, diaper dermatitis, and skin lesions or wounds.MethodsClinical studies were searched according to PRISMA-guidelines in the medical databases of PubMed, EMBASE, and CINAHL and summarised in a systematic review.ResultsAmong the 429 articles screened, 17 studies with a total of 2358 participants were identified that suited our inclusion criteria. Thereof seven studies each on the treatment of atopic dermatitis and skin lesions or wounds and three on diaper dermatitis. The phytotherapeutics investigated were based on the following herbs: Evening primrose, blackcurrant, polypodium leucotomos, calendula, aloe vera, chamomile, comfrey, hamamelis, olive, hypericum, neem, white oak, and myrrh. They have mainly been analysed in randomized controlled trials, but also in (long-term) observational studies, prospective trials and case series.ConclusionsBased on the application of the Jadad score, eight out of 17 of the studies examined were of low quality. Yet we found some indication that evening primrose oil may be effective for treating atopic dermatitis in children, while comfrey appears to have a positive effect on wound healing. Interestingly, none of the studies found positive effects for treating skin disorders with aloe vera or chamomile.

Abstract licence: CC BY

Hamamelis virginiana L. (witch hazel) is a traditionally used medicinal plant, well-known for its dermatological applications. The plant’s bark and leaves contain a rich array of bioactive compounds, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, catechins, proanthocyanidins, and tannins, many of which exhibit antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and wound-healing properties. These activities have been verified by numerous in vitro and in vivo studies, as well as limited clinical trials. The H. virginiana extracts have demonstrated effectiveness against bacteria, fungi, and some viruses. Moreover, the extracts exert anti-inflammatory effects by modulating cytokine expression and NF-κB signaling, improve skin regeneration, and protect against UV-induced damage and pollution. This review highlights H. virginiana as a complex botanical resource to be used in dermatology and cosmetology and shows that current research offers encouraging results for its future therapeutic use, especially in skin treatment.

Abstract licence: CC BY 4.0

Hemorrhoids are an anorectal problem that is prevalent and commonly managed with corticosteroids, analgesics, and phlebotonics. These conventional treatments are, however, only temporary in serving relief and come with adverse side effects when used long-term. Alternative herbal remedies, created from traditional medicine with all the evidence of their pharmacological action, promise good results. The effectiveness of various botanicals with the potential of being anti-inflammatory, venotonic, astringent, antioxidant, and wound healing in alleviating hemorrhoidal symptoms is discussed in this review. Therapeutically notable plants such as witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum), and triphala have shown beneficial therapeutic effects on pain, bleeding, and swelling, as well as preventing recurrence. Moreover, Triphala Guggulu and Pilex are polyherbal formulations that offer synergistic benefits in addition to foods rich in polyphenols and the dietary compound, rutin. These promising findings have so far faced challenges related to the standardization, quality control, and clinical validation. The incorporation of these herbal therapies into clinical practice is a well-tolerated holistic approach to the management of hemorrhoids, which requires further investigation to gain evidence-based validation.

Abstract licence: CC BY

Antiviral activity has been demonstrated for different tannin-rich plant extracts. Since tannins of different classes and molecular weights are often found together in plant extracts and may differ in their antiviral activity, we have compared the effect against influenza A virus (IAV) of Hamamelis virginiana L. bark extract, fractions enriched in tannins of different molecular weights and individual tannins of defined structures, including pseudotannins. We demonstrate antiviral activity of the bark extract against different IAV strains, including the recently emerged H7N9, and show for the first time that a tannin-rich extract inhibits human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 infection. As the best performing antiviral candidate, we identified a highly potent fraction against both IAV and HPV, enriched in high molecular weight condensed tannins by ultrafiltration, a simple, reproducible and easily upscalable method. This ultrafiltration concentrate and the bark extract inhibited early and, to a minor extent, later steps in the IAV life cycle and tannin-dependently inhibited HPV attachment. We observed interesting mechanistic differences between tannin structures: High molecular weight tannin containing extracts and tannic acid (1702 g/mol) inhibited both IAV receptor binding and neuraminidase activity. In contrast, low molecular weight compounds (<500 g/mol) such as gallic acid, epigallocatechin gallate or hamamelitannin inhibited neuraminidase but not hemagglutination. Average molecular weight of the compounds seemed to positively correlate with receptor binding (but not neuraminidase) inhibition. In general, neuraminidase inhibition seemed to contribute little to the antiviral activity. Importantly, antiviral use of the ultrafiltration fraction enriched in high molecular weight condensed tannins and, to a lesser extent, the unfractionated bark extract was preferable over individual isolated compounds. These results are of interest for developing and improving plant-based antivirals.

Abstract licence: CC BY 4.0

In an elaborate form of inter-species exploitation, many insects hijack plant development to induce novel plant organs called galls that provide the insect with a source of nutrition and a temporary home. Galls result from dramatic reprogramming of plant cell biology driven by insect molecules, but the roles of specific insect molecules in gall development have not yet been determined. Here, we study the aphid Hormaphis cornu, which makes distinctive "cone" galls on leaves of witch hazel Hamamelis virginiana. We found that derived genetic variants in the aphid gene determinant of gall color (dgc) are associated with strong downregulation of dgc transcription in aphid salivary glands, upregulation in galls of seven genes involved in anthocyanin synthesis, and deposition of two red anthocyanins in galls. We hypothesize that aphids inject DGC protein into galls and that this results in differential expression of a small number of plant genes. dgc is a member of a large, diverse family of novel predicted secreted proteins characterized by a pair of widely spaced cysteine-tyrosine-cysteine (CYC) residues, which we named BICYCLE proteins. bicycle genes are most strongly expressed in the salivary glands specifically of galling aphid generations, suggesting that they may regulate many aspects of gall development. bicycle genes have experienced unusually frequent diversifying selection, consistent with their potential role controlling gall development in a molecular arms race between aphids and their host plants.

Abstract licence: CC BY