Polypodium Leucotomos by Ray Sahelian, M.D.

The extract of the fern Polypodium leucotomos is an oral photoprotectant with strong antioxidant properties and may protect against sunburn. I could not find any research regarding this herb and lupus. Polypodium leucotomos has been tested in vitiligo and psoriasis.

Polypodium Leucotomos chemical composition
The major phenolic compounds include 4-hydroxycinnamic acid (p-coumaric), 3 methoxy-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (ferulic), 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid (caffeic), 3-methoxy-4-hydroxybenzoic acid (vanillic) and 3-caffeoilquinic acid (chlorogenic).

Polypodium Leucotomos Research
Phenolic components and antioxidant activity of Fernblock, an aqueous extract of the aerial parts of the fern Polypodium leucotomos.
Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol. 2006 Apr;28(3):157-60. Industrial Farmaceutica Cantabria, Arequipa 1, Madrid, Spain
Fernblock, an aqueous extract of the aerial parts of the fern Polypodium leucotomos is used as raw material for topical and oral photoprotective formulations. Phenolic compounds were identified as 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, 4-hydroxycinnamic acid, 4-hydroxycinnamoyl-quinic acid, ferulic acid, and five chlorogenic acid isomers.

Polypodium leucotomos extract inhibits trans-urocanic acid photoisomerization and photodecomposition.
J Photochem Photobiol B. 2006 Mar 1;82(3):173-9. Epub 2006 Jan 4. R&D Department, Industrial Farmaceutica Cantabria, C Arequipa 1 EDIF Ofic 5 planta, IFC, 28043 Madrid, Spain.
In this report, we demonstrate a possible molecular mechanism by which a hydrophilic extract of the leaves of the fern Polypodium leucotomos (Fernblock, PL) blocks ultraviolet (UV)-induced skin photodamage. The extract inhibits UVA and UVB light induced photoisomerization of trans-urocanic acid (t-UCA), a common photoreceptor located in the stratum corneum, and also blocks its photodecomposition in the presence of oxidizing reagents such as H2O2, and titanium dioxide (TiO2). PL protects in vitro human fibroblasts from UV-induced death as well.

Oral Polypodium leucotomos extract decreases ultraviolet-induced damage of human skin.
J Am Acad Dermatol. 2004 Dec;51(6):910-8. Wellman Laboratories of Photomedicine, Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
We investigated the photoprotective effect of oral administration of an extract of the natural antioxidant Polypodium leucotomos. A total of 9 healthy participants of skin types II to III were exposed to varying doses of artificial UV radiation without and after oral administration of Polypodium leucotomos (7.5 mg/kg). A significant decrease in erythema was found in Polypodium leucotomos -treated skin. Histologically, Polypodium leucotomos -treated biopsy specimens showed less sunburn cells, cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers, proliferating epidermal cells , and dermal mast cell infiltration. It appears oral administration of Polypodium leucotomos is an effective systemic chemophotoprotective agent leading to significant protection of skin against UV radiation.

Predominant effects of Polypodium leucotomos on membrane integrity, lipid peroxidation, and expression of elastin and matrixmetalloproteinase-1 in ultraviolet radiation exposed fibroblasts, and keratinocytes.
J Dermatol Sci. 2003 Jun;32(1):1-9. Departments of Biology and Chemistry/Biochemistry, Georgian Court College, Lakewood, NJ, USA.
The goal of this research was to determine the effects of Polypodium leucotomos in the absence or presence of UVA or UVB radiation on membrane damage, lipid peroxidation, and expression of elastin and MMP-1 in fibroblasts and keratinocytes, respectively. Fibroblasts and keratinocytes, respectively, were irradiated by a single exposure to UVA or UVB radiation, and then incubated with, or without, Polypodium leucotomos,  Conclusion: Lower concentration of Polypodium leucotomos (lower than 0.1%), may be beneficial in preventing photoaging by improving membrane integrity and inhibiting MMP-1, without increasing elastin expression. Higher concentration (greater than 0.1%) of Polypodium leucotomos may reverse the loss of normal elastic fibers associated with intrinsic aging.

Vitiligo repigmentation with Anapsos (Polypodium leucotomos)
Int J Dermatol. 1989 Sep;28(7):479. Mohammad A.

[2 years personal experience in anapsos treatment of psoriasis in various clinical forms]
Med Cutan Ibero Lat Am. 1983;11(1):65-72. Pineiro Alvarez B.
A personal experience on 495 patients affected by several forms of psoriasis and its answer to the treatment with anapsos (Polypodium Leucotomos Extract) is presented. The whitenings between 80% and 100% of the affected skin were achieved on 304 patients (61.41%); 46 patients whitened between 30% and 80% of their lesions, 15 obtained null results and only 11 had relapses. It is remarkable the high number of abandonments to treatment which came at 119 patients (24.04%) due to slowness of process and other reasons probably. The association with PUVA which shortens the treatment and gives other advantages is pointed out as positive. The average time of treatment was 6 months, and daily doses were from 80 mg. and 720 mg. depending on age, weight and treatment phase. Side effects appeared in two patients only: one with intense pruritus and the other one with gastric disturbances. In both cases, these side effects disappeared when the treatment was interrupted.

Polypodium Leucotomos Kalawalla questions
Q. My 21 yr. old daughter has systemic lupus erythematosus. Her exhaustion is extreme. If she takes Plaquenil or Chloroquine, she then has 'Lupus Psychosis'. Do you know anything about Kalawalla, from Organic Hope (organichope.com).
     A. We had not previously heard of kalawalla. We looked on the internet and found Kalawalla to be listed as Polypodium Leucontomos on one website. There's a company selling kalawalla 300 mg 50.1 standardised extract. We searched Medline and found no listing for kalawalla. Another search on Medline revealed no listing for Polypodium Leucontomos, but there were listings for Polypodium Leucotomos. Kalawalla and Rapuani are apparently brand names for Polypodium Leucotomos. We did not find research with this herb and lupus.