Anti-inflammatory activity of hamamelis distillate applied topically to the skin

Abstract

The anti-inflammatory activity of hamamelis distillate has been evaluated with respect to drug concentration (0.64 mg/2.56 mg hamamelis ketone/100 g) and the effect of the vehicle (O/W emulsion with/without phosphatidylcholine (PC) in an experimental study. The effects were compared with those of chamomile cream, hydrocortisone 1% cream and 4 base preparations. Erythema was induced by UV irradiation and cellophane tape stripping of the horny layer in 24 healthy subjects per test. Skin blanching was quantified by visual scoring and chromametry. Drug effects were compared with one another and with an untreated control area, as well as with any action due to the vehicle. UV-induced erythema at 24 h was suppressed by low dose hamamelis PC-cream and hydrocortisone cream. Hydrocortisone appeared superior to both hamamelis vehicles, hamamelis cream (without PC) and chamomile cream. The latter preparation was also less potent than hamamelis PC-cream. Erythema 4 to 8 h after the stripping of the horny layer was suppressed by hydrocortisone (P < or = 0.05). Inflammation was also less pronounced following low dose hamamelis PC-cream and chamomile cream. Hamamelis PC-cream, however, appeared less potent than hydrocortisone. In general, visual scoring was more discriminatory than chromametry. The results have demonstrated an anti-inflammatory activity of hamamelis distillate in a PC-containing vehicle. A fourfold increase of drug concentration, however, did not produce an increase in activity.

Discovery of a Quorum-Sensing Inhibitor of Drug-Resistant Staphylococcal Infections by Structure-Based Virtual Screening

“…Witch hazel extracts were used by Native Americans for pain relief, colds, and fever. They are currently used in skin care products and in dermatological treatment of sunburn, irritated skin, and atopic eczema (Korting et al, 1995), as well as to promote wound healing via anti-inflammatory effects (Korting et al, 1993). Hamamelitannin also was shown to inhibit tumor necrosis factor ␣-mediated endothelial cell death at concentrations less than 100 M (Habtemariam, 2002).…”

Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Hamamelis Lotion in a UVB Erythema Test

“…It has been possible to provide evidence for an anti-inflammatory action in controlled human clinical trials in both healthy volunteers [2, 3] and patients [2, 4]. In light of the well-documented low toxicity of hamamelis, better understanding of its anti-inflammatory properties is of great clinical interest.…”

“…Korting et al [3] were able to demonstrate a moderate to weak anti-inflammatory action by a hamamelis distillate preparation in a phosphatidylcholine-containing vehicle in a UVB erythema test utilizing a single UVB dose of 1.5 MED. The preparation was weaker than the reference product containing 1% hydrocortisone (oil-in-water, O/W, emulsion) [3].…”

“…The preparation was weaker than the reference product containing 1% hydrocortisone (oil-in-water, O/W, emulsion) [3]. Two other hamamelis preparations tested simultaneously proved ineffective.…”

Study on the assessment of plants/herbs, plant/herb extracts and their naturally or synthetically produced components as ‘additives’ for use in animal production

“…In an open study on 12 healthy subjects, a cream containing Matricaria flower extract (20mg/g) did not suppress UV-induced erythema but it reduced visual scores of skin redness in the adhesive tape stripping test (p=0.0625) [Korting et al, 1993]. In an analogous study, the cream produced 69% of the effect of a hydrocortisone-27-acetate ointment [Albring et al, 1983].…”