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When I received a call from our company president, I assumed I would
be hearing more about the company’s recent encouraging activities
in Europe. Instead, I was asked what I knew about oregano, oil of oregano
to be more specific. I was being asked specifically about the antibacterial
effects of oil of oregano, and whether I thought oregano oil, encapsulated
in one of Dermazone’s liposome-based product formulations, could
be used to treat acne. In spite of my board-certification in infectious
diseases and my background in clinical care and research, I was at a loss.
I soon discovered that neither oregano nor oregano oil were listed in
the indexes of the major textbooks of Dermatology or Infectious Diseases.
As medical director for Dermazone Solutions, it was now my job to learn
more about oil of oregano and to explore the feasibility of the presidents’
inquiry. Putting my initial skepticism aside, I set in motion a literature
review as I waited for the promised vial of oregano oil to arrive. I ordered
isolates of Propionibacterium acnes, a bacterium thought to be important
in the causation of acne, from our biological supplier. I also visited
our local hospital to collect some bacterial isolates.
The oil of oregano arrived a few days later and it was a simple matter
to set up a straightforward experiment to see if our laboratory could
demonstrate any anti-bacterial effect against the following bacterial
isolates; Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and a highly
resistant form of S aureus known as MRSA, the letters of which stand for
methicillin-resistant S aureus. These bacteria were chosen because of
their propensity to cause serious and complicated skin infections. Each
isolate was obtained through the local hospital microbiology laboratory.
These particular isolates had been cultured from patients with aggressive
skin infections and were therefore known to be quite virulent. The bacteria
were inoculated onto agar plates to which were added small absorbent cellulose
discs containing either oregano oil, broad-spectrum antibiotics as positive
controls, or saline as a negative control.
The results were not only unexpected; they were stunning.
The oregano oil strongly inhibited growth in all three isolates, and
nearly obliterated any visible growth in several of the agar plates. In
addition, the anti-bacterial effect of the oregano oil was stronger than
that of the broad-spectrum antibiotics which I had included as positive
controls. I marveled at how the oil purified from a common herb, could
demonstrate an anti-bacterial effect to match that of expensive broad-spectrum
antibiotics.
Over the next several weeks the results were confirmed time and again.
Our microbiology laboratory confirmed that P acnes was also strongly inhibited
by this remarkable oil. The literature search corroborated our in vitro
findings with reports of oregano oil’s antibacterial effect, in addition
to revealing reports on its anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-parasitic
activity.
Since oregano oil applied directly to the skin can be irritating, the
next step was to determine if the Dermazone laboratory could encapsulate
oregano oil in Dermazone’s proprietary soy-based liposomes, which
are a liposome-based form of nanotechnology (Lyphazome® Technology).
The small spheres in the Lyphazome technology function as nanospheres
or microcarriers, and are specifically designed to protect active ingredients
while they are delivered and targeted specifically to the deeper layers
of the epidermis, the outer layer of the skin. This patented liposome
system is the secret to the success of Dermazone’s cosmeceutical
products to date. These unique liposomes (Lyphazome Technology) are able
to encapsulate a wide variety of active ingredients, acting as an efficient
nanosphere drug delivery system for the skin. Our laboratory was able
to successfully encapsulate oregano oil at a number of different concentrations.
Finally, and after substantial laboratory evaluation, Dermazone finalized
a proprietary oregano-based acne treatment system consisting of three
products for topical application. Each agent contains encapsulated oregano
oil as well as a proprietary blend of other active ingredients, including
vitamen E, sweet orange oil, egyptian geranium oil, retinol and tea tree
oil. The product, which is now commercially available under the Celazome
line of Dermazone, is called O-PLEX. In vitro, the product demonstrates
strong inhibition of P acnes. Preliminary feedback from customers using
O-PLEX demonstrates beneficial results starting as early as seven days
of use.
This remarkable herb, oregano, has been admired and used for its broad-based
medicinal properties since ancient times. The Babylonians used oregano
for medical purposes as early as 3000 BC. Oregano also had a tradition
as a significant medicinal in ancient Greece, Rome, China and Egypt. The
Greek word for oregano was “oreganos”, meaning “joy of
the mountains”. Oregano was thought by the ancients to be effective
in a broad range of disease, including cardiac, respiratory, gastrointestinal,
infectious and venomous disorders. It was also touted as a wound healer
and antiseptic. Oregano was a favorite medicinal for ancient Greek physicians
and herbalists and became a ubiquitous and positive symbol in ancient
Greek and Roman culture. If it was seen to grow on a grave, then the departed
were assured happiness. It was used to crown both Greek and Roman couples
at wedding ceremonies as a result of its reported ability to dismiss sadness,
promote love and generally bestow good health.
In the seventeenth century, the myriad health benefits of oregano were
studied and extolled by English herbalists Gerard, Salmon (Salmon’s
Herbal) and William Langham (Garden of Health, 1633). Today, the most
public and high-profile discussion of the medical uses of oregano can
be found in the works of Cass Ingram D.O. (The Cure is in the Cupboard).
Dr. Ingram’s observations and recommendations draw, in part, on literature
citations as well as his own personal experience in treating patients
with oregano products.
The oregano plant (Oreganum vulgare) is a perennial of the mint family
and is found in a variety of locales. Oregano is classified in the division
Magnoliophyta, class Magnoliopsida, order Lamiales, and family Labiat.
There are over 60 varieties of oregano with very few actually possessing
medicinal properties. While medicinal properties have been described with
Spanish (Thymus capitus) and Mexican (Lippia) oregano, most of the modern
research has been done on the wild, mountain-grown Mediterranean or Greek
oregano. The three forms of wild, mountain-grown Mediterranean oregano
containing medicinal capability include oregano oil, crushed oregano,
and oregano juice. Today, most suppliers of high-grade oregano oil obtain
their oil by farming the wild mountain Mediterranean oregano plant. The
oil of oregano is most commonly obtained through a process of steam distillation
of the sun-dried, crushed plant.
The medicinal properties of oregano oil appear to derive from two phenols;
thymol and cavacrol, which together comprise up to 90% of the pure oregano
oil. While each agent alone demonstrates antimicrobial activity, combined
together the effect is additive. The antimicrobial capabilities of different
varieties of the oregano plant depend upon their content and concentration
of thymol and cavacrol.
As an internal medicine and infectious disease specialist in private
practice, I have treated many patients with acne. Generally speaking,
acne is a frustrating disease to treat. Results are often variable. When
positive results are achieved, they are often frustratingly slow to come
about. Most positive responses are “partial” rather than “complete”
responses. Regardless of the treatment regimen, both patient and physician
have to worry about the ever-present concern of potential side-effects,
which can occur on a short-term as well as long-term basis.
Had I been asked, before I learned about oregano, what the characteristics
of the “ideal” acne medication would be, my response would have
been that the medication should have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory
activity, a rapid onset of action, and an excellent safety profile. Knowing
what I know now, I would respond that the medication should contain oregano
oil, packaged in a microcarrier or nanosphere system that would assure
delivery of the oil in a non-irritating fashion into the base of the epidermis.
Dermazone Solutions has met this need with its recent commercial release
of the O-PLEX system. The testimonials to date, regarding tolerability,
speed of action, and efficacy, only strengthen our confidence in this
product.
Let’s look more closely at this frustrating problem of acne, in
order to better appreciate what Dermazone Solutions has done for individuals
with this disorder. Acne, like oregano, has been with us since ancient
times. The first use of the term “acne”, (“acne” in
Greek, meaning peak) was by Aetius Amidenus, court physician to Emperor
Justinian. While the term became obsolete in the middle Ages, by the 1800’s
it occurred regularly in medical dictionaries. Acne is primarily, but
not exclusively, a problem of adolescence, occurring in over 80% of adolescents.
The clinical spectrum is broad, ranging from barely noticeable minimal
facial acne to “acne fulminans”, a scarring, cosmetically catastrophic
disorder with systemic manifestations, including bone involvement, fevers,
enlargement of spleen, liver, and significant prostration.
Acne is a disorder of the skin, specifically the pilosebaceous unit.
This unit consists of a hair within a hair follicle, around which is wrapped
a sebaceous gland which produces sebum, consisting of ceramides, triglycerides,
sterols, esters, squalenes and free fatty acids. Sebum production is increased
as a consequence of the hormonal changes of puberty. This effect is seen
in both males and females. A comedone (blackheads and whiteheads) occurs
when excess sebum builds up and blocks the hair follicle. This blockage
is also contributed to by excess keratinization, or increased proliferation
and retention of epithelial cells, occurring in the hair follicle.
The normal microbial flora of the hair follicle includes a variety of
bacteria; Staphylococcus epidermidus, P acnes, Propionibacterium ovale)
and fungi (Malessezi species.). The increase in sebum results in overgrowth
of P acnes, which feeds on the excess sebum. This process increases the
production of various fatty acids which, in turn, cause inflammation by
attracting a type of white blood cell called polymorphonuclear leukocytes,
more commonly known as neutrophils. The combination of these factors causes
the unsightly reddened, nodular and cystic features common to acne.
From the above discussion, I think we can clearly identify four areas
involved in acne pathogenesis; 1). Increased sebum production, 2). Increased
epithelial cell production and adhesiveness (keratinization), 3). Bacterial
overgrowth by P acnes, and 4). Inflammation produced by the action of
P acnes on the sebum. Most acne medications today act on one , and sometimes
two areas of acne pathogenesis. In addition, antibiotics used in acne
treatment today are only effective against bacteria, and not fungi. Oregano
oil is anti-fungal as well as antibacterial. Oregano oil acts on three
and possibly all four of the steps of acne pathogenesis. It is well-known,
by parents and physicians alike, that all acne treatments on the market
today can be associated with side-effects, some of which can be quite
serious. Other than short-lived and concentration dependant local irritation,
we know of no short or long-term adverse effects of oregano oil.
You might ask why pure or diluted oregano oil could not be applied directly
to the skin to treat acne. First, oregano oil is too irritating to apply
directly, even when diluted in other oils. Second, the raw oil can be
occlusive, thereby further blocking hair follicles further and aggravating
an acne condition. Third, the oil must be emulsified and then carried
or delivered into the deeper layers of the epithelium, directly to the
site of the four stages of acne pathogenesis. To accomplish all this requires
a microcarrier or nanotechnology system which can successfully encapsulate
the volatile oil, emulsify it in order to deliver it in protected form
through the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the skin, and establish
a depot of oil which can have long-lasting effect. There is only one microcarrier
or nanotechnology system known to be able to achieve both ends; the Lyphazome
system, patented and owned by Dermazone Solutions.
The O-PLEX system is easy to use, pleasant smelling, effective and non-toxic.
I urge you to read the testimonials that have come to our attention from
users of this remarkable product. The same patented, soy-based microcarrier
system which has created some of the most popular and sought-after moisturizers,
sunscreens and anti-aging products, now brings you a safe and effective
treatment for acne.
After bringing you the O-PLEX acne treatment system, the staff at Dermazone
Solutions are back at the laboratory benches to bring you more products
to “improve the quality of your life.” As medical director of
Dermazone Solutions, I take pride in the company, its remarkable technology,
and our knowledgeable and dedicated staff. I encourage you to contact
me or our technical, administrative or sales staff by e-mail for your
input and questions. Thank you for your attention and your interest.
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