An invasive weed common in American backyards may help prevent visible signs of aging, a new study has found.
In laboratory studies on human cells, the prickly fruit of the cockle plant has been shown to reduce damage from UV rays and accelerate wound healing.
Extracts from the fruit also appeared to boost collagen production, a property common to many high-end skin care products that promise to maintain skin elasticity and help prevent wrinkles.
Cocklebur or Xanthium strumarium is native to parts of Europe, Asia and North America, and lives mainly in open, often wet places such as riverbanks in farmland and other areas.
It is widely used in traditional Chinese and Native American medicine to treat a variety of ailments, from nasal congestion and headaches to arthritis and tuberculosis.
Compounds in the prickly fruit of cockle tree reduced damage from UVB radiation – rays that can cause sunburn, darkening and thickening of the outer layer of the skin – and accelerated wound healing in laboratory tests involving cells and tissues
Cockle seed contains a chemical called carboxyaractyloside that can poison and kill livestock if eaten.
In humans, consumption of the prickly plant can cause mild symptoms, including an unpleasant taste and nausea, or more severe symptoms, such as abdominal pain, vomiting, low blood sugar, seizures and severe liver damage.
Despite the risks associated with ingesting parts of the plant, the fruit and leaves have long been an integral part of traditional medicine.
The researchers at Myongji University in South Korea said their findings suggest that extracts from the fruit could be an attractive ingredient in topical skin creams and other cosmetics.
Eunsu Song, a graduate student at Myongji University who conducted the research, said: “We found that clams have the potential to protect the skin and help improve collagen production.
“It is likely to show a synergistic effect when mixed with other effective anti-aging compounds such as hyaluronic acid or retinoic acid.”
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Researchers have studied the molecular properties of cockle fruit extracts and isolated certain compounds that may have some antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
They then performed laboratory experiments in cells and on a 3D tissue model with properties similar to human skin to study how these compounds affect collagen production, wound healing, and damage from UVB radiation—the kind that causes skin aging, sunburn, and skin cancer.
Their results were presented at the annual meeting of the American Society For Biochemistry And Molecular Biology in Seattle.
Native Americans traditionally used gorse leaves to brew as a tea to treat a variety of ailments, including kidney disease, arthritis, and tuberculosis.
The plant was also once used to treat malaria, rabies and leprosy.
Researchers found that fruits grown in South Korea have slightly higher antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and greater wound healing activity than those grown in China. And they reiterated the fact that the plant can be deadly to animals and cause nausea and discomfort in humans.
Ms. Song said, “Cocktail fruits also contain a toxic component, carboxyatractyloside, in their berries, which can damage the liver.
Cocklebur has shown potential as a cosmetic by increasing collagen synthesis; however, it showed negative results at higher concentrations.’
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
