Efficacy of a topical healing cream utilizing omega-5 conjugated linolenic acid based formulation on skin inflammation: in vitro evaluation on 3D reconstructed human epidermis model
Background. Atopic dermatitis is a typical inflammation-based disease that affects children and adults around the world. It is characterized by excessive skin dryness, itching, exfoliation, redness and skin irritation. Topical corticosteroids are first-line topical immunosuppressive therapies for eczema. Local and systemic side effects can sometimes occur after chronic use of topical corticosteroids. To overcome this, natural compounds like conjugated linolenic acid (an omega-5 fatty acid) known to have significant anti-inflammatory properties1 can be used to treat skin inflammation.
Objectives. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of 2 POMEGA Healing Cream Formulations containing conjugated linolenic acid derived from pomegranate seed oil (Pomega Inc., San Anselmo, CA) on skin inflammation in 3D human reconstructed epidermis (RHE) model.
Methods. RHE tissues were treated for 24 h with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, in culture medium) alone, or in combination with topical treatment of POMEGA MD® Healing Cream, POMEGA 5® Healing Cream, or Vehicle Healing Cream, or with systemic treatment of dexamethasone (DEX). Untreated samples were used as control. mRNA expression of TNF alpha and CXCL8 (IL-8) in skin tissues was measured by quantitative real time RT-PCR. Release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was measured in culture medium.
Results. Both Healing Cream formulations did not show any change in LDH release. On the other hand, POMEGA MD® Healing Cream and POMEGA 5® Healing Cream showed potent anti-inflammatory activity by reducing both TNF-alpha and IL-8 mRNA expression in RHE tissues, greater than the reference drug dexamethasone and the Vehicle Healing Cream that did not contain any conjugated linolenic acid (Fig. 1).
Conclusion. Both POMEGA MD® Healing Cream and POMEGA 5® Healing Cream showed potent anti-inflammatory effect in 3D reconstructed human epidermis model and could be an effective natural agent to treat atopic dermatitis.
