Clinical abstract from Journal of American Academy of Dermatology: Orally administered Polypodium Leucotomos Extract decreases psoralen-UVA–induced phototoxicity, pigmentation, and damage of human skin
“… A total of 10 healthy patients with skin phototypes II to III were exposed to PUVA alone and to PUVA with oral Polypodium Leucotomos Extract. The study sought to assess oral Polypodium Leucotomos Extract in decreasing PUVA-induced phototoxicity of human skin. Clinically, phototoxicity was always lower in PL-treated skin after 48 to 72 hours, and pigmentation was also reduced 4 months later. Histologically, Polypodium Leucotomos treated skin showed a significant numeric reduction of sunburn cells, reduced phototoxicity, and less pain and burning sensations…”
Conclusion: Polypodium Leucotomos is the first oral agent to decrease the acute phototoxicity and the subsequent development of hyperpigmentation induced by PUVA and leads to a decrease of sunburn cell formation.