Comparative analysis between the active components presented in patented Polypodium leucotomos and Pinus pinaster botanical extracts (Fernblock ® and Pycnogenol ®) and in products available for pharmacy's compounding and preparations

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The use of botanical extracts in dermatological treatments has received special attention in worldwide literature, especially for its antioxidant action. Different products containing Polypodium leucotomos and Pinus pinasters extracts are commercially available in industrialized presentations or compounding. However, in the second case, there is no standardization in the extraction process and there is a lack of data regarding the quantitative and qualitative content in the referred formulations that demonstrate its effectiveness and safety. PURPOSES: to assess the different concentrations of actives in standardized and patented botanical extracts of Polypodium leucotomos (Fernblock®) and Pinus pinaster (Pycnogenol®), respectively, comparing them to products offered by compounding pharmacies. METHODOLOGY: The products were assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography, and pharmacologically active markers were identified in peaks by retention time. RESULTS: the concentrations of identified actives varied in the different products analyzed, being undetectable in many of them. Only industrialized products with standardized and patented extracts showed all the expected markers. CONCLUSION: consistency was observed in specific products containing the patented extracts of Polypodium leucotomos (Fernblock®) and Pinus pinaster (Pycnogenol®), demonstrating the importance of standardization in extraction processes and studies on the efficacy and safety profiles.

Keywords

• antioxidants
• plant extracts
• flavonoids