What Is Polypodium leucotomos Good For?

Three potential benefits of Polypodium leucotomos (P. leucotomos) include:

1. Has anti-inflammatory properties:
   • P. leucotomos has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which protect the skin from free radicals produced after excessive sun exposure.
   • Several studies report that P. leucotomos is effective at preventing sun damage and inflammatory reactions to ultraviolet (UV) rays.
2. Has antioxidant properties:
   • Antioxidants are molecules that fight free radicals that damage cells and proteins in the body.
   • These free radicals are formed by exposure to cigarettes, alcohol, fried foods, pollutants, or UV rays from the sun.
   • The fern contains several compounds such as p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, caffeic acid, vanillic acid, and chlorogenic acid, all of which are known to have powerful antioxidant properties.
3. Protects against sun damage:
   • Research studies have reported that the fern may protect against skin damage and prevent inflammatory reactions to sun exposure.
   • Using P. leucotomos along with traditional steroid creams and oral antihistamine medications can prevent and treat inflammatory skin conditions including eczema.

Polypodium leucotomos (Phlebodium aureum) is a tropical fern that belongs to the Polypodiaceae family.

The extract of this plant contains many phenolic compounds, such as ferulic, caffeic, chlorogenic, coumaric, and vanillic acid, which inhibit ultraviolet radiation (UVR)-induced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation. 

The mechanism of action of oral Polypodium leucotomos (P. leucotomos) extract is as follows:

• Improves membrane integrity, stimulates elastin expression and inhibits matrix metalloproteinase-1 expression in UVR-exposed fibroblasts and keratinocytes (types of skin cells)
• Acts as a scavenger to mop up free radicals and ROS
• Inhibits the depletion of Langerhans cells
• Reduces the number of sunburn cells
• Preserves skin tissue structure by inhibiting the infiltration of mast cells into the skin, responsible for releasing the chemicals that cause inflammation, redness, and itching

In addition, the chemicals in this extract protect antioxidant enzymes and modulate the expression of cancer and inflammation-related genes, thereby inhibiting the activation of signal transduction pathways involved in carcinogenesis and inflammation, respectively.

The oral supplementation and topical preparations made with Polypodium leucotomos (P. leucotomos) (thin green leaves and underground rhizomes) plant extracts are emerging as potential boosters of sun protection when used in conjunction with a good sunscreen and protective clothing.

Numerous scientific studies have reported the uses of P. leucotomos including:

• Reduces sunburn, erythema, and pigmentation resulting from ultraviolet radiation
• Prevents polymorphic light eruption and sun-induced hives
• Protects against photochemotherapy-induced skin phototoxicity and other skin conditions such as:
  • atopic dermatitis vitiligo
  • eczema
  • melasma
  • psoriasis

Although oral and topical use of Polypodium leucotomos is considered safe for most people, minor adverse reactions may include:

• Mild episodic fatigue
• Bloating
• Headaches

It has not been extensively studied in children and pregnant or breastfeeding women.

No clinical trials have looked at interactions with various drugs and supplements.

Dosages

Polypodium leucotomos extract is marketed as a dietary supplement containing a combination of antioxidants (heliocare and antioxidine). 

The dosing is one 240 mg capsule each morning with a recommendation of ingesting it 30 minutes before sun exposure and a second capsule a few hours later.