Biological Activity of Polynesian Calophyllum inophyllum Oil Extract on Human Skin Cells

Abstract

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.

Vegetable butters and oils in skin wound healing: Scientific evidence for new opportunities in dermatology

“…Another study investigated the effect of cold‐pressed calophyllum oil emulsion (the oil was emulsified with an equal amount of commercial monolinolein and sterically stabilized using a polyethylene and polypropylene oxide triblock copolymer) on human skin cells (epidermal keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts). The results showed increased cell proliferation, glycosaminoglycan and collagen production, and wound‐healing capacity on a scratched fibroblast monolayer (Ansel et al, ).…”

“…Calophyllum (Calophyllum inophyllum L., Calophyllaceae) is an evergreen tree found on the seashores and islands of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Oil obtained from the seeds, also called Tamanu oil, is traditionally used dermally in French Polynesia to treat skin injuries (burns, scars, and infected wounds) and diseases (dermatosis, urticaria, and eczema; Ansel et al, ; Léguillier et al, ). In Vietnam, the oil has been used as a traditional medicine to treat burns, skin‐related and rheumatic diseases, and insomnia (Nguyen et al, ).…”

Pharmacological Properties of <i>Calophyllum inophyllum</i> – Updated Review

“…Regarding the mechanisms, the nut oil of Calophyllum inophyllum up-regulates the genes involved in cell adhesion, cell proliferation and O-glycan synthesis [11]. Calophyllolide of Calophyllum inophyllum seeds inhibits myeloperoxidase activity and induces M2-relation gene expression leading to M2 macrophage skewing [7].…”

Peer Review #1 of "Chemodiversity of Calophyllum inophyllum L. oil bioactive components related to their specific geographical distribution in the South Pacific region (v0.2)"

“…The plant has a myriad of medicinal uses, most of them involving topical applications. Recent studies such as Léguiller et al (2015) and Ansel et al (2016) have focused more attention on the cosmetic aspects of the plant in the Pacific region. Other common names for the plant in some Pacific island countries are dilo (Fiji), fetau (Samoa), tamanou de bord de mer (New Caledonia) and…”