• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.91-101
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• 2012

This study's purpose is to research the antioxidant power of Calaguala (Polypodium leucotomos, PL) as an oral supplement: Calaguala, a native of Central America, is a fern which belongs to the family polypodiaceae protecting the skin from the ultraviolet and active oxygen free radicals. The total 14 volunteers, each female 7 & male 7, were divided into 2 groups, then exposed to UV for 30 min after taking Calaguala and placebo. The total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was analyzed by taking the blood samples from anticubital vein 3 hours after UV exposure. First, Calaguala siginifcantly decreased the concentration of active oxygen free radicals 4 weeks later. The concentration of active oxygen free radical in PL group declined more than placebo group, when measured 30 min and 3 hours after UV exposure. Second, Calaguala did not significantly increase TAC 4 weeks later, but significantly decreased TAC 3 hours after exposure, when compared with placebo group. Now days, the photo allergy and photo aging caused by air pollution and ozone destruction have drastically increased, and thus the amount of UV radiation reaching the earth's surface increased. The increase of active free oxygen radicals resulted in accelerating the diseases and aging. The first superficial protecting protection by reflection & dispersion and the second body internal protection by taking oral photo antioxidant such as Calaguala should be continuously researched.