Heliocare (polypodium leucotomos extract) / Ferndale - LARVOL DELTA

Effects of Eight-Week Supplementation Containing Red Orange and Polypodium leucotomos Extracts on UVB-Induced Skin Responses: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial. (PubMed, Nutrients) - " These findings suggest that supplementation with PLE, ROE, and vitamins A, C, D, and E provides systemic photoprotection by enhancing UV tolerance and reducing erythema without affecting tanning response. This study supports oral supplementation as an adjunct to topical photoprotection, with prolonged use potentially yielding cumulative benefits."

Clinical • Journal • Dermatology

The Utility of Oral Polypodium Leucotomos Extract for Dermatologic Diseases: A Systematic Review. (PubMed, J Drugs Dermatol) - "PLE exhibits strong therapeutic potential with an encouraging safety profile. It has photoprotective and immunomodulatory properties, underscoring its potential as an adjuvant therapy for multiple dermatological conditions. J Drugs Dermatol. 2025;24(4):346-351. doi:10.36849/JDD.8410R1."

Journal • Actinic Keratosis • Atopic Dermatitis • Dermatitis • Dermatology • Dermatopathology • Genetic Disorders • Immunology • Oncology • Psoriasis • Skin Cancer • Vitiligo

Systematic Review on Dietary Supplements in the Prevention and/or Treatment of Actinic Keratosis and Field Cancerization. (PubMed, Actas Dermosifiliogr) - "The review confirms the efficacy of polyphenols in preventing and treating AKs and related skin conditions. However, the role of vitamins and other supplements requires further investigation due to inconsistent and/or scarce findings. Future clinical trials should focus on diverse populations at higher risk of skin cancer and explore new ingredients as well as combinations of various ingredients to optimize therapeutic applications."

Journal • Review • Actinic Keratosis • Dermatology • Genetic Disorders • Oncology • Skin Cancer • Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Effectiveness of an oral supplement containing Polypodium leucotomos in enhancing sun protection: a clinical evaluation of minimal erythema dose pre- and post-consumption. (PubMed, Arch Dermatol Res) - "Oral supplements containing Polypodium leucotomos extract (PLE) have gained attention as convenient adjuncts that may bolster the skin's defenses against UV-induced damage...Short-term oral supplementation with Sol Defense Gummies containing PLE was associated with measurable improvements in photoprotection as evidenced by increases in MED and reductions in erythema. These findings support the potential of this novel PLE delivery method as a convenient adjunct to conventional photoprotection strategies."

Journal • Dermatology • Genetic Disorders • Oncology • Skin Cancer

Exploring the In Vitro Photoprotective Effect of a Combination of Aspalathus linearis Natural Extracts: First Steps in Developing New Technologies for Photoprotection Strategies. (PubMed, Int J Mol Sci) - "Finally, an additional photoprotective effect was observed when Aspalathus linearis extracts were combined with a Polypodium leucotomos extract (Fernblock®), a well-known botanical ingredient with demonstrated photoprotection activities. Thus, this work provides a solid scientific basis for the inclusion of this technology in future topical and systemic photoprotective strategies."

Journal • Preclinical

U036 - Welcome to the Jungle: Plant Dermatoses and Plant Extracts in Dermatology (AAD 2025) - "This session will also review emerging use of plant extracts in dermatology including arnica, bromeliad, polypodium leucotomos extract, and more!...Identify dermatoses caused by exposure to various wild, garden, and house plant species and recognize representative plant species. Discuss therapeutic applications of plant extracts in dermatology."

Contact Dermatitis • Dermatitis • Dermatology • Immunology • Urticaria

Systematic review on dietary supplements in the prevention and/or treatment of actinic keratosis and field cancerization. (PubMed, Actas Dermosifiliogr) - "The review confirms the efficacy of polyphenols in preventing and treating AKs and related skin conditions. However, the role of vitamins and other supplements requires further investigation due to inconsistent and/or scarce findings. Future clinical trials should focus on diverse populations at higher risk of skin cancer and explore new ingredients as well as combinations of various ingredients to optimize therapeutic applications."

Journal • Review • Actinic Keratosis • Dermatology • Genetic Disorders • Oncology • Skin Cancer • Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Concurrent management of vitiligo and acquired disorders of hyperpigmentation: a comprehensive literature review and current practice gaps. (PubMed, Int J Dermatol) - "In addition, the use of oral tranexamic acid to treat melasma does not diminish the response to NBUVB phototherapy. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections and oral Polypodium leucotomos extract may also be beneficial for comanaging vitiligo and AHD. However, practice guidelines are needed to optimize care for this patient population."

Journal • Review • Dermatology • Dermatopathology • Immunology • Lichen Planus • Vitiligo

Oral Supplements and Photoprotection: A Systematic Review. (PubMed, J Med Food) - "Supplement keywords included "dietary supplements," "vitamins," "minerals," "carotenoids," "lutein," "isoflavones," "polyphenols," "Polypodium leucotomos," "heliocare," "herbal medicine," "probiotics," "prebiotics," "astaxanthin," "rosmarinic acid," "botanical," and "herb," and outcome keywords included "photoprotection," "ultraviolet rays," UVA," "UVB," and "blue light." A total of 47 studies were included in the systematic review...Supplementation with photoprotective active ingredients may be especially favorable for individuals with predisposed ultraviolet sensitivity, such as those with polymorphic light eruption. Future research is necessary to determine optimal dosing and supplementation duration for intended photoprotective outcomes."

Journal • Review • Dermatology

The effect of Fernblock® in preventing blue-light-induced oxidative stress and cellular damage in retinal pigment epithelial cells is associated with NRF2 induction. (PubMed, Photochem Photobiol Sci) - "In this context, we explored the potential protective properties of the vegetal extract from Polypodium leucotomos, Fernblock® (FB), using the widely known treatment with lutein as a reference for comparison...Notably, the nuclear translocation of NRF2 induced by blue light was similar to that observed in cells pre-treated with FB, while lutein pre-treatment resulted in nuclear NRF2 levels similar to control cells, suggesting key differences in the mechanism of cellular protection exerted by these compounds. These results may represent the foundation ground for the use of FB as a new ingredient in the development of alternative prophylactic strategies for blue-light-associated diseases, a currently rising medical interest."

Journal • Inflammation • CDKN1A • TNFA

Improvement in light tolerance with oral Polypodium leucotomos extract in a patient with nonsegmental vitiligo treated with narrow-band UV-B phototherapy. (PubMed, JAAD Case Rep) - No abstract available

Journal • Dermatology • Immunology • Vitiligo

U003 - Welcome to the Jungle: Plant Dermatoses and Plant Extracts in Dermatology (AAD 2024) - "This session will also review emerging use of plant extracts in dermatology including arnica, bromeliad, and polypodium leucotomos extract...Identify dermatoses caused by exposure to various wild, garden, and house plant species and recognize representative plant species. Discuss therapeutic applications of plant extracts in dermatology."

Contact Dermatitis • Dermatitis • Dermatology • Immunology • Urticaria

Protective effect of an extract of Polypodium leucotomos against oxidative stress and melanogenesis induced by ultraviolet A radiation and air pollutants (EADV 2023) - "We have concluded that air pollutants, alone and combined with UVR, are capable to produce oxidative stress and melanogenesis in different skin cell typeskeratinocytes and melanocytes. We also have demonstrated that a cell pre-treatment with an extract of Polypodium leucotomos prevents detrimental effects induced by PM2,5 and the combination of BaP and UVA radiation."

Oxidative stress

Evaluation of the effectiveness and safety of combined oral and topical photoprotection with a standardized extract of Polypodium leucotomos (Fernblock®) in a Moroccan population with xeroderma pigmentosum. (PubMed, Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed) - "In our study, more than 60% of patients taking a supplement with Fernblock® did not develop new lesions, and furthermore, we detected that patients following almost ideal photoprotection were 2.5 times less likely to develop NMSC lesions."

Journal • Dermatology • Genetic Disorders

Severe Actinic Damage: a role of topical and oral immune photoprotection. A randomised, prospective, assessor-blinded, 12-months trial of 131 subjects controlled with reflectance confocal microscopy (WCD 2023) - "Polypodium leucotomos extract (PLE) has demonstrated the pleiotropic immune photoprotection mechanisms in several trials... In patients with SAD treatment with PLE-based topical and oral photoprotection give a positive clinical and anatomical outcome. Such combination seems to have advantages compared to topical photoprotection alone"

Clinical • Dermatology

"Vuestra empresa y otra estáis patrocinando el RACISMO @NIVEAUSA @la_Mutua @HeliocareUK @AFFLELOU_OPTICO @kitkatspain @GSK_ES voltadol @JDE1753 MARCILLA @ISDIN @TROMBOCID @Somatolinecosmt @BayerPharma @CarrefourES @burguerkingfk @Aquarius_Esp #ApagonAlChiringuito" (@CristobalChorra)

Prevention of the development of new lesions of xeroderma pigmentosum after one year taking a supplement with extract of Polypodium leucotomos. (EADV-Sp 2023) - "18 patients completed the study. Eleven patients (61%), taking the supplement finished the study without new lesions. Among them, more than 60% adopted photoprotective behavior close to ideal."

Dermatology • Genetic Disorders • Immune Modulation

The combination of oral and topical photoprotection with a standardized Polypodium leucotomos extract is beneficial against actinic keratosis. (PubMed, Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed) - "Improvements in AK and field cancerization parameters were greatest in group [TO], suggesting that topical and oral photoprotection improves the clinical and anatomical outcome compared to control conditions. The combination of topical and oral immune photoprotection provides an advantage compared to topical photoprotection alone."

Journal • Actinic Keratosis • Dermatology • Oncology

U089 - Welcome to the Jungle: Plant Dermatoses and Plant Extracts in Dermatology (AAD 2023) - "This session will also review emerging use of plant extracts in dermatology including arnica, bromeliad, and polypodium leucotomos extract...Identify dermatoses caused by exposure to various wild, garden, and house plant species and recognize representative plant species. Discuss therapeutic applications of plant extracts in dermatology."

Contact Dermatitis • Dermatitis • Dermatology • Immunology • Urticaria

Nutraceutical Strategies for Alleviation of UVB Phototoxicity. (PubMed, Exp Dermatol) - "Certain nutraceuticals - most prominently spirulina, soy isoflavones, long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, the green tea catechin epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and Polypodium leucotomos extract - have been shown to oppose photocarcinogenesis, as well as sunburn and photoaging, in UVB-exposed hairless mice. It is proposed that spirulina provides protection in this regard via phycocyanobilin-mediated inhibition of Nox1-dependent NADPH oxidase; that soy isoflavones do so by opposing NF-κB transcriptional activity via estrogen receptor-beta; that the benefit of eicosapentaenoic acid reflects decreased production of prostaglandin E2; and that EGCG counters UVB-mediated phototoxicity via inhibition of the epidermal growth factor receptor. The prospects for practical nutraceutical down-regulation of photocarcinogenesis, sunburn, and photoaging appear favorable."

Journal • Review • Genetic Disorders • Non-melanoma Skin Cancer • Skin Cancer • Solid Tumor • EGFR • ER • NF-κβ

Polypodium leucotomos targets multiple aspects of oral carcinogenesis and it is a potential antitumor phytotherapy against tongue cancer growth. (PubMed, Front Pharmacol) - "The determination of a prophylactic and/or therapeutic antitumor role of the polyphenolic extract Polypodium leucotomos(PL) would be relevant in developing new tools for prevention and treatment...PL also appears to contribute to the modulation of immune-inflammatory oral tumor-associated responses. Taken together, these results suggest that PL plays an important antitumor role in processes associated with oral carcinogenesis and may be a potential phytotherapeutic target for the prevention and/or adjuvant treatment of TSCCs."

IO biomarker • Journal • Head and Neck Cancer • Immunology • Inflammation • Oncology • Oral Cancer • Solid Tumor • Squamous Cell Carcinoma • Tongue Carcinoma • BCL2 • CDH2 • MMP1 • MMP2 • PCNA • TIMP1 • TIMP2

Uses of Polypodium leucotomos Extract in Oncodermatology. (PubMed, J Clin Med) - "This review aims to report the mechanisms through which Polypodium leucotomos acts and to analyze its uses in oncodermatology with references to in vitro and in vivo studies. Additionally, alternative uses in non-neoplastic diseases, such as pigmentary disorders, photosensitivity, and atopic dermatitis, have been considered."

Journal • Atopic Dermatitis • Dermatitis • Dermatology • Genetic Disorders • Immunology • Oncology • Skin Cancer

Protective Effect of the Hydrophilic Extract of Polypodium leucotomos, Fernblock, against the Synergistic Action of UVA Radiation and Benzo[a]pyrene Pollutant. (PubMed, Antioxidants (Basel)) - "Our data indicate that FB prevented cell damage and reduced oxidative stress and melanogenic signaling pathway activation caused by a combination of BaP and UVA light irradiation. Altogether, our findings support the fact that FB is able to prevent skin damage caused by the exposure to a combination of UVA and the air pollutant BaP."

Journal

Topical and topical plus oral immune photoprotection with Polypodium Leucotomos extract in severe actinic damage. A multicenter, randomized, prospective, assessor-blinded, 12-month controlled trial with confocal microscopy evaluation in 132 subjects. (EADV 2022) - No abstract available

Clinical

Short-term administration of Polypodium leucotomos extract does not inhibit CYP3A4-mediated metabolism of midazolam in healthy subjects: an open-label, two-period, fixed-sequence study. (PubMed, Int J Dermatol) - "These parameters did not differ from those recorded in period 1 (area under the concentration-time curve: 18.74 ± 2.97 ng h/ml, maximum serum concentration: 8.78 ± 1.67 ng/ml, half-life: 2.52 ± 0.52 h). Therefore, short-term oral administration of P. leucotomos extract did not cause food-drug interactions mediated by CYP3A4 inhibition in humans."

Journal • CYP3A4