Natural ingredients for skin care are continually in demand. In relation, a recent study published in the European Journal of Biological Research explored the chemical composition and potential skin benefits of Algerian peppermint essential oil (PEO).
Researchers from Ecole Normale Superieure, SAIDAL Pharmaceutical and the University Saad Dahab, Algeria; the University of Alabama, Huntsville, AL; and Aromatic Plant Research Center, Lehi, Utah identified 23 compounds in the PEO. According to the article abstract, the main component was menthol (53.29%). Also, PEO showed a high content of oxygenated monoterpene compounds (92.75%).
Topical application of PEO at doses of 200 and 20 μL/kg significantly reduced xylene-induced acute ear edema in animal models by 38.09% and 36.50%, respectively. Histological observation confirmed PEO inhibited the skin inflammatory response.
Furthermore, in vivo wound healing was examined in a cream prepared from PEO (0.5% w/w). Topical administration of the cream showed a significant decrease in the unhealed wound area rate between Day 6 and Day 9 of treatment.
The authors concluded the findings support the anti-inflammatory, wound-healing and analgesic properties of PEO, with potential application in skin care products.
