Biological Activity of Polynesian Calophyllum inophyllum Oil Extract on Human Skin Cells^[*]

Abstract

Oil from the nuts of Calophyllum inophyllum, locally called “Tamanu oil” in French Polynesia, was traditionally used for wound healing and to cure various skin problems and ailments. The skin-active effect of “Tamanu oil emulsion” was investigated on human skin cells (keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts) and showed cell proliferation, glycosaminoglycan and collagen production, and wound healing activity. Transcriptomic analysis of the treated cells revealed gene expression modulation including genes involved in the metabolic process implied in O-glycan biosynthesis, cell adhesion, and cell proliferation. The presence of neoflavonoids as bioactive constituents in Tamanu oil emulsion may contribute to these biological activities. Altogether, consistent data related to targeted histological and cellular functions brought new highlights on the mechanisms involved in these biological processes induced by Tamanu oil effects in skin cells.

Key words

Calophyllum inophyllum - Calophyllaceae - French Polynesia - human skin cells - wound healing - transcriptomics

^* Dedicated to Professor Dr. Dr. h. c. mult. Kurt Hostettmann in recognition of his outstanding contribution to natural product research.

^** Phila Raharivelomanana and Chantal Pichon have an equal contribution as co-last authors in this work.

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