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IN VITRO MULLEIN OIL INVESTIGATIONS AND IN VIVO EFFECTS OF MULLEIN OIL CREAM ON HUMAN SKIN PHYSIOLOGY

DRAGANA R. PAVLOVIĆ 1*, MARIJA TASIĆ-KOSTOV 1, MAJA GRIGOROV 1, BOJAN ZLATKOVIĆ 2, TATJANA MIHAJILOV-KRSTEV 2

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Preparations of mullein flowers are traditionally used mainly for respiratory problems but also on the skin as bactericides and topical anti-inflammatory agents. To evaluate the effect of Verbascum phlomoides (Mullein) flower oil, an in vivo study that included 14 volunteers (13 with healthy skin and 1 patient with atopic dermatitis) was conducted. Cream formulations containing homemade mullein oil (10% w/w) and placebo cream were investigated on human skin pre-irritated with sodium lauryl sulfate for seven days. Non-invasive measurements of skin biophysiology measured and compared skin hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin pH. The same measurements were done on the skin of the patient who only applied tested creams on areas of the palms affected with atopic dermatitis. Additionally, determination of the swelling index of the mullein flower and in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant tests were done. No antimicrobial effect of mullein oil or cream was observed, while in vitro antioxidant activity was noticed. Mullein oil and cream demonstrated a stronger inhibition of lipid peroxidation than placebo samples. Application of mullein cream improved the parameters of pre-irritated skin even after a three-day treatment. Mullein cream also led to a significant decrease in TEWL. After a five-day treatment, a significant increase in the hydration of the atopic dry hands of a patient with atopic dermatitis was notable. Formulations containing mullein oil for topical application could be used as a multifunctional treatment to relieve irritation and effectively hydrate and regenerate the skin barrier. This conclusion is consistent with ethnopharmacological information on topical application of mullein.