Herbs That May Assist

Cleavers
Galium aparine, herb dry
BCM-95™ Turmeric
Curcuma longa, rhizome dry
Dandelion
Taraxacum officinale, root dry
Burdock
Arctium lappa, root dry
Grape seed
Vitis vinifera, seed

Actions

• Minimises skin inflammation and supports barrier repair
• Promotes healthy lymphatic function and clearance of inflammation

Clinical Applications

• Inflammatory skin disorders (e.g., psoriasis, dermatitis, acne, eczema, cellulitis, rosacea and urticaria)

BCM-95™ Curcumin, Grape Seed Extract and Burdock for Skin Inflammation and Lymphatic System Support

Background Technical Information

Skin health, barrier damage and chronic inflammation

Physical signs of redness, heat, swelling and barrier dysfunction are a common occurrence in inflamed skin.[1] In these ailments, unresolved inflammation degrades the protective abilities of the skin barrier, resulting in increased exposure and reactivity to pollutants, allergens and pro-inflammatory bacteria. Beneath the skin barrier, chronic immune activation within the dermis can diminish lymphatic capillary function.[2] These vessels are integral for the effective clearance of tissue damage, recruitment of anti-inflammatory cells and distribution of fat-soluble nutrients for cell repair (e.g., vitamin A).[3,4] Therefore, it follows that unresolved damage to the skin barrier and its lymphatic networks can have detrimental impacts on skin health.[1]

Supporting tissue healing and lymphatic function

Lymphatic vessels serve to clear excess fluid and cell debris that can accumulate in inflammatory skin complaints. However, in many patients, ongoing inflammation can lead to the enlargement of lymphatic vessels, which can impair effective clearance of tissue damage.[1] As such, strategies that resolve inflammation and support vascular integrity are highly relevant in inflammatory skin disorders. Botanical extracts including Galium aparine (cleavers), Taraxacum officinale (dandelion) and Arctium lappa (burdock) are traditionally used in skin conditions including psoriasis, eczema, skin eruptions, acne, hives and infections.[5-8] These extracts are considered to enhance lymphatic elimination to promote skin health.[5-8] In addition, potent procyanidin antioxidants within Vitis vinifera (grape seed extract) support the integrity of vessels, which may help restore healthy circulation within skin.[7,9] Similarly, anti-inflammatory Curcuma longa (turmeric) extracts have been observed to block inflammatory signalling and inhibit opportunistic inflammatory bacteria that can contribute to skin inflammation.[10-12] Collectively, this blend offers many benefits to restore barrier integrity and resolve inflammation in a wide range of skin complaints.

Actions

Minimises skin inflammation and supports barrier repair

Turmeric and grape seed extract possess therapeutic actions that help reduce skin inflammation. For example, the turmeric constituent curcumin is known to bind to specific receptors that modulate the inflammatory response (e.g., toll-like receptors [TLRs] and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma [PPAR-γ]).[13] Through these mechanisms, curcumin inhibits a central player of the local inflammatory response, nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB). This in turn downregulates the production of downstream mediators implicated in inflammatory skin issues, including T helper 1 cytokines, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interferon gamma.[10,11] Demonstrating this, laboratory studies confirm positive protective effects of curcumin in response to UVB-induced interleukin (IL) 6 and 8 activation in keratinocytes, as well as decreased transforming growth factor beta in keloid fibroblasts.[10,11] Accordingly, this data supports the benefits of turmeric extracts in conditions that feature damaged skin. Interestingly, in vitro experiments have also shown curcumin to suppress pro-inflammatory skin bacteria, Cutibacterium acnes.[12] As such, these qualities of turmeric may help protect against bacterial spread that can aggravate inflammatory skin.

Similarly, grape seed extract (GSE) has been shown to reduce inflammatory mediators, including TNF-α and IL-6, which are elevated in psoriasis, eczema and acne.[14,15] Providing high levels of protective oligomeric procyanidins (OPCs), grape seed may also help to catalyse the inflammatory mast cell mediator histamine, which may reduce skin reactivity in conditions such as eczema and urticaria.[14,15] Outside of these mechanisms, in vitro studies suggest GSE inhibits elastase enzymes, which minimises the breakdown of collagen and elastin within dermal tissues.[9,16] Further to this, GSE has been observed to stimulate vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in keratinocytes to promote cell healing.[17] Collectively, these extracts can help support the resolution of inflamed skin and maintain healthy barrier functions.

Promotes healthy lymphatic function and clearance of inflammation

Supporting healthy circulation, burdock improves endothelial cell contraction, thereby promoting healthy lymphatic function.[18-20] Moreover, cleavers can stimulate lymphocyte proliferation in vitro, enabling a healthy immune response to promote skin healing.[21] Used by traditional herbalists, burdock, cleavers and dandelion root share similar actions that promote waste elimination through several pathways via the liver, kidneys and bowels.[22] Additionally, GSE improves endothelial capillary integrity via its antioxidant mechanisms, which may enhance lymphatic circulation.[9] As such, these indications highlight the benefits of these herbs to enhance detoxification pathways to sustain healthy skin elimination.

Clinical Applications

Inflammatory skin disorders (e.g., psoriasis, dermatitis, acne, eczema, cellulitis, rosacea and urticaria)

Mitigating skin inflammation has the potential to improve the management of various dermal conditions. This is evident in research using a broad range of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds to address skin inflammation. While the use of herbal interventions for skin conditions is evolving, the information presented thus far suggests potential to address a range of disorders, including psoriasis, dermatitis, acne, eczema, cellulitis, rosacea and urticaria.

Summary of Ingredients

Safety Information

Disclaimer: In the interest of supporting Healthcare Practitioners, all safety information provided at the time of publishing is in accordance with Natural Medicine Database (NATMED PRO), renowned for its professional monographs which include a thorough assessment of safety, warnings, and adverse effects.

For further information on specific interactions with medications, please contact Clinical Support on 1800 777 648, or via email, anz_clinicalsupport@metagenics.com

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.[26]

Contraindications

• None listed.[26]

References

[1]. Simon S, Michael D. Inflammation and lymphatic function. Front Immunol. 2019;10:308. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2019.00308

[2]. Alderfer L, Wei A, Hanjaya-Putra D. Lymphatic tissue engineering and regeneration. J Biol Eng. 2018;12(1):32. doi:10.1186/s13036-018-0122-7

[3]. Zhang F, Zarkada G, Yi S, Eichmann A. Lymphatic endothelial cell junctions: molecular regulation in physiology and diseases. Front Physiol. 2020;11:509. doi:10.3389/fphys.2020.00509

[4]. Moore Jr. JE, Bertram CD. Lymphatic system flows. Annu Rev Fluid Mech. 2018;50(1):459-482. doi:10.1146/annurev-fluid-122316-045259

[5]. Mills S, Bone K. The Essential Guide to Herbal Safety. Churchill Livingstone; 2005.

[6]. Grieve G. A Modern Herbal. 3rd edn. Tiger Books International; 1992.

[7]. Bone K. A Clinical Guide to Blending Liquid Herbs. Churchill Livingstone; 2003.

[8]. Bradley P. British Herbal Compendium. Vol 1. British Herbal Medicine Association; 1992.

[9]. Weseler AR, Bast A. Masquelier’s grape seed extract: from basic flavonoid research to a well-characterized food supplement with health benefits. Nutr J. 2017;16(1):5. doi:10.1186/s12937-016-0218-1

[10]. Thangapazham RL, Sharad S, Maheshwari RK. Skin regenerative potentials of curcumin. Biofactors. 2013;39(1):141-149. doi:10.1002/biof.1078

[11]. Thangapazham RL, Sharma A, Maheshwari RK. The molecular targets and therapeutic uses of curcumin in health and disease. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2007;595:343-357. doi:10.1007/978-0-387-46401-5_15

[12]. Jain A, Basal E. Inhibition of Propionibacterium acnes-induced mediators of inflammation by Indian herbs. Phytomedicine. 2003;10(1):34-38. doi:10.1078/094471103321648638

[13]. Peng Y, Ao M, Dong B, et al. Anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin in the inflammatory diseases: status, limitations and countermeasures. Drug Des Dev Ther. 2021;15:4503-4525. doi:10.2147/dddt.s327378

[14]. Ma ZF, Zhang H. Phytochemical constituents, health benefits, and industrial applications of grape seeds: a mini-review. Antioxidants. 2017;6(3):71. doi:10.3390/antiox6030071

[15]. Gupta M, Dey S, Marbaniang D, Pal P, Ray S, Mazumder B. Grape seed extract: having a potential health benefits. J Food Sci Technology. 2020;57(4):1205-1215. doi:10.1007/s13197-019-04113-w

[16]. MacKay D. Hemorrhoids and varicose veins: a review of treatment options. Altern Medicine Rev J Clin Ther. 2001;6(2):126-140.

[17]. Khanna S, Roy S, Bagchi D, Bagchi M, Sen CK. Upregulation of oxidant-induced VEGF expression in cultured keratinocytes by a grape seed proanthocyanidin extract. Free Radical Bio Med. 2001;31(1):38-42. doi:10.1016/s0891-5849(01)00544-5

[18]. Ferracane R, Graziani G, Gallo M, Fogliano V, Ritieni A. Metabolic profile of the bioactive compounds of burdock (Arctium lappa) seeds, roots and leaves. J Pharmaceut Biomed. 2010;51(2):399-404. doi:10.1016/j.jpba.2009.03.018

[19]. Okada M, Okada Y. Effects of methanolic extracts of edible plants on RAGE in high-glucose-induced human endothelial cells. Bio-med Mater Eng. 2015;25(3):257-266. doi:10.3233/bme-151280

[20]. Lee YJ, Choi DH, Cho GH, Kim JS, Kang DG, Lee HS. Arctium lappa ameliorates endothelial dysfunction in rats fed with high fat/cholesterol diets. Bmc Complem Altern M. 2012;12(1):116. doi:10.1186/1472-6882-12-116

[21]. Tetiana I, Natalia K, Sebastian G, et al. Phytochemical Profiles and In Vitro Immunomodulatory Activity of Ethanolic Extracts from Galium aparine L. Plants. 2019;8(12):541. doi:10.3390/plants8120541

[22]. K B, S. M. Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy: Modern Herbal Medicine. 2nd ed. Elsevier/Churchill Livingstone; 2013.

[23]. Vaughn AR, Clark AK, Notay M, Sivamani RK. Randomized controlled pilot study of dietary supplementation with turmeric or herbal combination tablets on skin barrier function in healthy subjects. J Med Food. 2018;21(12):1260-1265. doi:10.1089/jmf.2018.0015

[24]. Logger JGM, Olydam JI, Weg WW van der, Erp PEJ van. Noninvasive skin barrier assessment: multiparametric approach and pilot study. Cosmet. 2019;6(1):20. doi:10.3390/cosmetics6010020

[25]. Antiga miliano, Bonciolini V, Volpi W, Bianco ED, Caproni and M. Oral curcumin (Meriva) is effective as an adjuvant treatment and is able to reduce il-22 serum levels in patients with psoriasis vulgaris. Biomed Res Int. 2015;2015:283634. doi:10.1155/2015/283634

[26]. Natural Medicines Database. AusDi; 2024. Accessed September 20, 2024. https://ausdi.hcn.com.au/