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Jul122010

Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition: Topical Applications

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Dr. Lynn Toohey, Ph.D, Nutrition

Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, CO

Research Consultant NutriWest

INTRODUCTION

There are a lot of nutrients that are billed with characteristics that address certain elements of inflammatory pathways. The natural cox-2 inhibitors, for instance, that affect the prostaglandin cascade of inflammation, include rosemary1, curcumin2, beta-sitosterol3, spirulina4, quercetin5, boswellia6, ginger7, and fish oil8, to name a few. But what about topical nutrition?

Proteolytic Enzymes

First, let’s take a look at proteolytic enzymes. These enzymes work on a different pathway from cox-2 inhibition. These enzymes dissolve proteinaceous debris that accumulates after injury, when proteins leak out of permeable blood vessels and initiate an inflammatory response.

Anthony Chicoke describes the action of the enzymes in his book… “The process of any inflammation is governed by numerous enzymes, especially the body’s own proteolytic enzymes. They eliminate the inflammatory debris and initiate the restitution. This process can be supported and accelerated by the use of supplemental proteolytic enzymes…With enzyme therapy, pain stops quickly and the duration of inflammation is rapidly diminished”9.

Scientific evidence exists for the systemic application of proteolytic enzymes10, but what about topical application of the enzymes? Actually, evidence supports this as well, and it appears that enzymes can efficiently cross the skin and be effective.

Evidence for Topical Enzymes:

Bromelain is a proteolytic enzyme extracted from pineapples, papain is a proteolytic enzyme from papaya, and pancreatic proteolytic enzymes (pancreatin, animal source) include trypsin, chymotrypsin and pancrelipase.

Bromelain has proven efficacy in cosmeceutical products11, as well as papain and trypsin12, and synergy has been suggested among the enzymes13. In a review of nutrients that are used on the skin, Leslie S. Baumann, MD, (Division of Cosmetic Dermatology, University of Miami School of Medicine), emphasized bromelain and other ingredients that are used topically for “dermatologic benefits14.

Other Topical Nutrients:

  • Arnica

Arnica is a popular ingredient that has been used both internally (homeopathic) and externally as a topical application. Positive results of three randomized double-blind studies have been published with homeopathic arnica15.

Preparations of Arnica montana are widely used for the topical treatment of inflammatory diseases. The anti-inflammatory activity is mainly attributed to their sesquiterpene lactones (helenalin & dihydrohelenalin)”, which have demonstrated transdermal penetration16.

In a randomized, double-blind study of 204 patients to ascertain differences in pain relief and hand function after 21 days' treatment, “Results confirm that this preparation of arnica (topical) is not inferior to ibuprofen when treating osteoarthritis of the hands”17. Additionally, in a multi-center trial conducted on 26 men and 53 women, it was discovered that, “Topical application of arnica montana gel for 6 weeks was a safe, well-tolerated, and effective treatment of mild to moderate OA of the knee”18.

One double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial found a significant reduction in pain after 2 weeks in the group treated with homeopathic and topical arnica, when they studied 37 patients undergoing carpal-tunnel surgery19.

  • Topical Lavendar

Lavendar has a long history of topical application and is included in a wide variety of skin care products; in fact, “Several species of lavender have been used for therapeutic, cosmetic, and commercial purposes for thousands of years. Lavender blossoms were used by ancient Greeks and Romans to scent bath water, to prevent infections at communal baths, to bathe and soothe wounds, such as bites, burns (including sunburns), lacerations, and to treat acne, psoriasis, fungal conditions, and herpes”20.

Modern research on lavender supports some of the historical dermatologic applications of the herb. In women who had recently gave birth, reduced pain was experienced after lavender oil was utilized in baths21. And in a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial, lavender oil was one of the essential oils massaged into the scalp with resulting moderate success for alopecia areata (hair loss)22.

  • Topical Aloe Vera

One journal reported that There are numerous natural ingredients that have been demonstrated to possess anti-inflammatory properties that make formulations containing these ingredients attractive treatment options”, and they included topical aloe vera in this category23.

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, it was concluded that a topical aloe vera gel was a safe and effective treatment for patients with lichen planus24.

CONCLUSION

Many nutrients, including peppermint oil, described as having a “strong analgesic effect on neuropathic pain25, and all of the topicals mentioned above, are excellent possibilities for anti-inflammatory topical nutrition. Combining several of them together adds synergy and optimizes the benefit of all.

References

1. Sotelo-Felix JI, et al. J Ethnopharmacol. 2002 Jul;81(2):145-54.

2. Hong J. Carcinogenesis. 2004 Apr 8 Int J Immunopharmacol. 1992, 14:1363.

3. Awad AB et al. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2004 Jun;70(6):511-20.

4. Reddy et al. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2003 May 2;304(2):385-92.

5. Carcinogenesis, 2000, May. Vol. 21, No. 5, 959-963.

6. Integr Cancer Ther. 2002 Mar;1(1):7-37

7. Kim, MK et al. Exp Gerontol. 2010 Jun;45(6):419-26.

8. Oxley, A et al. Br J Nutr. 2010 Mar;103(6):851-61.

9. Cichoke, Anthony MA DC. Enzymes & Enzyme Therapy. Keats Publ. LA, Ca. 2000 pp 138-139.

10. Kamenicek V, et al. Acta Chir Orthop Traumatol Cech 2001;68(1):45-9).

11. LS. MD. Dermatol Ther. 2007 Sep-Oct;20(5):330-42. Review.

12. Glenn J. Managing a Traumatic Wound in a Ger. Patient. 52(4): Apr 1 2006.

13. Ito C, et al. Nippon Yakurigaku Zasshi 1979 Apr 20;75(3):227-37.

14. Baumann, ibid.

15. Brinkhaus B, et al. Complement Ther Med . 2006 Dec;14(4):237-46.

16. Wagner S, & Merfort I. J Pharm Biomed Anal. 2007 Jan 4;43(1):32-8.

17. Widrig R., et al. Rheumatol Int. 2007 Apr;27(6):585-91.

18. Knuesel O, et al. Adv Ther. 2002 Sep-Oct;19(5):209-18.

19. Jeffrey SL, Belcher HJ. Altern Ther Health Med. 2002 Mar-Apr;8(2):66-8.

20. Baumann, ibid.

21. Cornwell S, Dale A. Mod Midwife 1995: 5: 31–33.

22. Hay IC, Jamieson M, Ormerod AD. Arch Dermatol 1998: 134: 1349–1352.

23. Wu, J. Anti-inflammatory ingredients. J Drugs Dermatol. 2008 Jul;7(7 Suppl):s13-6.

24. Rajar UD, et al. Efficacy of aloe vera gel in the treatment of vulval lichen planus. J Coll Physicians Surg Pak. 2008 Oct;18(10):612-4.

25. Davies SJ, et al. A novel treatment of postherpetic neuralgia using peppermint oil. Clin J Pain. 2002 May-Jun;18(3):200-2.

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