Application of Calahuala (Phlebodium spp) fern complex for the formulation of diverse medicinal and cosmetic products

Extracts of the tropical fern Phlebodium complex of Polypodiaceae family, appear to possess beneficial properties for the skin, attributed to the presence of numerous compounds within the extract that have antioxidant and photoprotective properties. Orally administered Phlebodium complex may provide protection against the detrimental photoaging effects of sunlight, can help reduce the frequency and severity of polymorphous light eruption, and is beneficial for the prevention and potential treatment of several aesthetically relevant conditions. The purpose of this review is to describe beneficial role of Phlebodium complex as an adjunct treatment for vitiligo, melasma, and post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation. Various extracts applied topically or taken orally have shown several beneficial antioxidant, photo-protectant, anti-mutagenic, and immunoregulatory effects. Modern studies have evaluated the efficacy of Phlebodium extracts as a photoprotective agent and for use in several photo-aggravated dermatologic disorders such as polymorphous light eruption, photodermatoses, vitiligo, melasma, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and more recently, in minimizing infections in high-performance athletes. It is these multiple mechanisms of action, in combination with a favorable side effect profile, which make Phlebodium complex a promising adjunctive treatment for several dermatologic disorders. Aerial part has proved to exert antioxidant, photo-protective and immunomodulatory activities; extract of fronds is a natural mixture of phytochemicals endowed with powerful antioxidant properties as flavonoids compared to rhizome. Phlebodium fern extract of fronds and rhizome blocked the deleterious effect of UV irradiation in vitro and in vivo as a natural photoprotectant and potential adjuvant to phototherapy of various skin diseases.