Polypodium leucotomos extract: a status report on clinical efficacy and safety

J Drugs Dermatol. 2015 Mar;14(3):254-61.

Abstract

Various extracts of polypodium leucotomos (PLE) applied topically or taken orally have been shown to have several beneficial antioxidant, photoprotectant, antimutagenic, and immunoregulatory effects. Modern studies have evaluated the efficacy of PLE orally as a photoprotective agent and for use in several photo-aggravated dermatologic disorders such as polymorphous light eruption, other photodermatoses, and melasma. No articles have been published evaluating the safety of PLE. We performed a PUBMED search for any randomized clinical trials related to PLE, or anapsos, a synonym. The primary safety endpoint of the review was any mention of an adverse event, side effect, or toxicity. Overall, 19 human and 6 basic science studies were included spanning over 40 years of research. Oral PLE was administered at daily doses ranging from 120 mg to 1080 mg. No adverse effects were reported in laboratory studies. In humans, side effects (gastrointestinal complaints and pruritus) were mild to moderate and found only in very small numbers of patients overall (16/1016 [2%]). This review concludes PLE is well tolerated at all doses administered and associated with a negligible risk of side effects.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Dermatologic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Dermatologic Agents / adverse effects
  • Dermatologic Agents / isolation & purification
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / chemically induced
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Plant Extracts / administration & dosage*
  • Plant Extracts / adverse effects
  • Plant Extracts / isolation & purification
  • Polypodium*
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / methods
  • Skin Diseases / diagnosis
  • Skin Diseases / drug therapy
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Dermatologic Agents
  • Plant Extracts