Callistemon Viminalis, a species reduces dilated blood vessels and decreases erythema

[Apurva Tathe]

1. Introduction

Rosacea is a chronic skin inflammatory disease characterized by dilated visible blood vessels causing erythema(redness), telangiectasia, papulopustules and elevated lesion(1). The pathology of rosacea is yet to understand completely but the evidence suggests that the genetic and environmental factors may cause the altered immune system leading to rosacea (2). There are so many oral and topical therapies used for the treatment of rosacea but natural plant components are also emerging as an effective medicine to improve the condition of disease. In this category, a plant species Callistemon viminalis or Melaleuca viminalis commonly known as weeping bottlebrush (2) has shown antimicrobial, antiinflammatory and antioxidant properties. However, its role and effects on rosacea remain unknown and need to be investigated.

Callistemon viminalis, is a plant from Myrtaceae family and native to Australia and commonly occurs along watercourses on the coastal plains and it is also widely grown in tropical and temperate region (3,4).

Extracts of C. viminalis contain triterpenoids, polyphenols, flavonoids, steroids, alkaloids and tannin (5).
Essential Oils : The chemical constituents of the essential oils are :
monoterpene hydrocarbons, α-and β-pinene was found to have anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial effects (6,7,11).

oxygenated monoterpenes, 1,8-cineole has a very good anti-inflammatory effects. It was found to suppress pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in mice(8). α-terpineol has also disinfectant and antioxidant properties(9) and terpinene-4-ol had shown the activity of suppressing pro-inflammatory
mediators. In-vitro study was conducted to show the effectiveness of terpinene-4-ol in penetrating the skin (10,11).

Different parts of plant shows good antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant activities. For example extraction from leaves(experimental part) has a rich amount of 1,8-cineole and Sesquiterpenes which have good antimicrobial activity against some species such as: Saccharomyces cerevisiae,
Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli and n-hexane of leaf extracts showed potential activity against skin pathogen (5).

There are a number of monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and polyphenols present in the plant but only a few important are pointed out in this article.

 

2. Method and Application

To investigate the effects of Callistemon viminalis on rosacea, the leaf part was considered as the main experimental source.The extraction of essential oil from the leaves here was done by maceration method to make infused oil using coconut oil as the coconut oil has also a soothing effect on rosacea.
Concentrated essential oils may cause irritation to inflammed skin.

So to test the effects of leaves, infused oil was made using dried leaves. The dried leaves were put in a jar with coconut oil and was kept under the sun from 10-20 days to few weeks. This infused oil has a very strong smell and It was applied on inflamed skin daily for 4-5 months and the results were
astounding.The dry leaves contain more antioxidant properties and it is known that the antioxidants play an essential role in oxidative stress of cells by donating electrons to free radicals and thereby reducing the inflammation. Antioxidants are like soldiers always protecting our skin cells from the
damaging effects of free radicals.

3. Result

This oil showed astonishing effects on frequent flushing and contraction and reduction in dilated blood vessels and decreased erythema.

Molecular Test : It should be molecularly tested to see the effects of chemical compounds on proinflammatory mediators and signaling pathways which cause rosacea.

Note : Before you use this oil take a patch test on your hand first and see if you have any allergy or sensitivity and if you do make it more diluted with coconut oil. This is good for type I rosacea.

 

4. References

1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rosacea/symptoms-causes/syc-20353815
2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022202X15526900
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melaleuca_viminalis
4. https://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/gnp12/callistemon-viminalis.html
5. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1995764517303905#bib8
6. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/alpha-Pinene
7. https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/17/6/6305
8. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/cineole
9. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/alpha-TERPINEOL#section=Overview
10.https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Terpinen-4-ol#section=Absorption-
Distribution-and-Excretion
11. https://www.aciar.gov.au/publication/Melaleucas-their-botany-essential-oils-and-uses

 

[Guide]

Thanks Apurva for your research and investigation into this. Hope some substantiate your findings. 

"Melaleuca viminalis, commonly known as weeping bottlebrush, or creek bottlebrush is a plant in the myrtle family..." Redirect for Callistemon viminalis

Melaleuca viminalis image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

[Apurva Tathe]

16 hours ago, Admin said:

"Considering properties of the identified major compounds, essential oils of both studied myrtaceae could be used in the medicine field including the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry." 
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S222116911630404X

Amazon doesn't sell Callistemon viminalis essential oil. A google search doesn't show how to purchase it either. Maybe someone can find it?

 

Yes I know this very well it has its medicinal properties and used for food and pharmaceutical industry considering its compounds but not much research has been done on this plant when it comes to skin diseases especially for rosacea and the link you provided It is already mentioned in my articles reference note. Yes you can not find the essential oil online that is why how I made this concoction oil I have explained this in my article.

[Guide]

6 hours ago, Apurva Tathe said:

Yes I know this very well it has its medicinal properties and used for food and pharmaceutical industry considering its compounds but not much research has been done on this plant when it comes to skin diseases especially for rosacea and the link you provided It is already mentioned in my articles reference note. Yes you can not find the essential oil online that is why how I made this concoction oil I have explained this in my article.

I hope others try this. I was just pointing out I couldn't find any essential oil available. Are the leaves available for purchase somewhere?