Oil from the nuts of Calophyllum inophyllum, locally called "Tamanu oil" in French Polynesia, was traditionally used for wound healing and to cure various skin problems and ailments. The skin-active effect of "Tamanu oil emulsion" was investigated on human skin cells (keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts) and showed cell proliferation, glycosaminoglycan and collagen production, and wound healing activity. Transcriptomic analysis of the treated cells revealed gene expression modulation including genes involved in the metabolic process implied in O-glycan biosynthesis, cell adhesion, and cell proliferation. The presence of neoflavonoids as bioactive constituents in Tamanu oil emulsion may contribute to these biological activities. Altogether, consistent data related to targeted histological and cellular functions brought new highlights on the mechanisms involved in these biological processes induced by Tamanu oil effects in skin cells.

We describe a stable and sensitive HIV evaluation system, which discriminates HIV-specific membrane fusion and early transcription events and is suitable for high-throughput inhibitor screening. A human lymphocytic line, constitutively producing infectious HIV-1, serves as Env-positive donor. A second indicator cell line carries a silent HIV-1 LTR lacZ reporter plasmid. A bicellular cocultivation setup allows titration and standardization of "fusion-induced gene stimulation (FIGS)" events. With few manipulations aspects of fusion and/or LTR induction can be distinguished and simultaneously assayed. Anti-Env-V3 antibodies prevent fusion and subsequent lacZ induction, and a Tat-specific inhibitor blocks only lacZ induction in a dose dependent manner without affecting membrane fusion. The LTR reporter is readily activated by Tat from HIV-1, HIV-2, or SIV and it responds to exogenous Tat protein. The reporter system is sensitive enough to detect single infection events on pre-seeded layers of indicator cells, which renders it potentially useful for direct virus quantification in patients' material. Moreover, our system allows to control and normalize DNA transfection efficiencies of HIV-derived plasmids. This aspect is particularly valuable for studies of RT- and protease-inhibitors and resistances, where p24 or supernatant reverse transcriptase, otherwise standard virus readouts, can be directly affected by inhibitors or mutations.

Calophyllum inophyllum L. (Calophyllaceae), locally called “tamanu” in French Polynesia, is an evergreen pantropical tree growing mostly along the seashores. Its barks, leaves, and fruits are still used in traditional medicine. The oil expressed from the nuts has been also traditionally used. Tamanu oil is topically applied on skins as well as mucous membrane lesions. This oil is especially recommended to heal all kinds of skin ailments. Bioassays and different assessments of Tamanu oil revealed numerous biological activities (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, wound healing…), so bringing scientific evidence of beneficial effects of this oil on human skin healing. Such biological properties may explain the use of tamanu oil as an active cosmetic ingredient recorded as “Calophyllum inophyllum seed oil” by the INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients). Most of the bioactive properties of tamanu oil are attributed to oil composition including the presence of resinous compounds in tamanu oil beside common fatty acids, which constitutes a unique characteristic of this healing oil. Actually, resinous part of tamanu oil is known to contain bioactive secondary metabolites mostly constituted by neoflavonoids including pyranocoumarin derivatives. Herein, chemical constituents and biological properties of tamanu oil are presented with a focus of its traditional use inspiring modern valuations related to cosmetic field.