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Moumoujus

FRANGULA ALNUS BARK EXTRACT.

Avoid CAS 84625-48-9 / SKIN CONDITIONING, SKIN PROTECTING

FRANGULA ALNUS BARK EXTRACT is recognized for its potential skin conditioning and protecting properties, stemming from its rich composition of bioactive compounds like flavonoids and tannins. Despite some observed benefits, this ingredient presents substantial safety challenges, including risks of sensitization, cytotoxicity, and genotoxicity.

Summary

Skin conditioning Skin protecting Antioxidant Antimicrobial Antifungal Antiviral

Science

Mechanism of Action

This extract functions as a skin conditioning and protecting agent, primarily due to its content of anthraquinone derivatives, flavonoids, tannins, and peptide alkaloids. Its antioxidant activity is largely attributed to its high phenolic concentration. Additionally, it demonstrates antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiviral capabilities, potentially by reducing the total permeability of bacterial membranes.

Research

Clinical Evidence

Low confidence
Effective range N/A
Optimal

N/A

Key findings

  1. 01 A study reported excellent antioxidant and antimicrobial activities at concentrations up to 2.5 mg/mL.

Transparency

Dusting Analysis

Not commonly dusted

While FRANGULA ALNUS BARK EXTRACT has shown antioxidant and antimicrobial efficacy at concentrations up to 2.5 mg/mL (2500 µg/ml), safety data reveals concerning adverse effects at significantly lower concentrations. Cytotoxicity has been observed at 500 µg/ml of the bark extract, and increased reactive oxygen species at 250 µg/ml. This substantial gap between observed efficacy and safety thresholds indicates that achieving benefits topically without incurring significant risks is highly improbable, making responsible formulation extremely difficult.

The Formula

Formulation

Solubility
Both
Optimal pH N/A
0 7 14

Stability

Ethanolic extracts exhibit high efficiency. The extract shows moderate solubility in distilled water.

Conflicts

  • Raw, unprocessed bark (contains anthrones which are highly toxic and can cause severe vomiting; requires drying or heat processing for at least one year).

Safety

Safety Profile

CIR Status
Not reviewed
Sensitization risk High

Fresh Frangula alnus bark is toxic and necessitates at least one year of drying or heat processing before use. Both the extract and its component emodin have demonstrated activation of the skin sensitization pathway in a KeratinoSens assay, indicating a strong potential for inducing allergic reactions in humans. High concentrations of the bark extract (500 µg/ml) and emodin (150-200 µg/ml) exhibited cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Furthermore, increased reactive oxygen species were noted at 250 µg/ml for the extract and 25 µg/ml for emodin. It is crucial to note that the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) and the Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC) have only approved Frangula bark for short-term oral use to treat constipation, not for topical application. PrecisionFDA also lists this substance as 'non-approved'.

Your Skin

Skin Compatibility

No Normal
No Dry
No Oily
No Sensitive
Irritancy Medium
Comedogenicity Unknown

Our Assessment

Verdict

Avoid

Despite exhibiting some beneficial properties, FRANGULA ALNUS BARK EXTRACT presents a high risk of skin sensitization, cytotoxicity, and genotoxicity at concentrations significantly below its noted efficacy, rendering it unsafe and unsuitable for topical skincare formulations.

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