Photoprotective Action
In a recent study with the most direct dermatologic implications, boldine was shown to be photostable, with its antioxidative capacity remaining intact, thereby allowing the compound to confer photoprotection (J. Photochem. Photobiol. B 2005;80:65–9). Furthermore, in vitro tests of compounds extracted from lichens and the boldo tree revealed that their ultraviolet filtering power was similar to, or better than, that of octylmethoxycinnamate, suggesting their potential usefulness in sunscreen formulations (J. Photochem. Photobiol. B 2002;68:133–9).
Conclusions
Natural antioxidants are too plentiful, and the number under active investigation for medical and cosmetic uses too copious, to suggest that any one compound is the antioxidant du jour. That said, boldine has been studied with increasing frequency over the past 15 years, after a long history of use in folk medicine, and the evidence is ample enough to suggest that clinical trials are the next important step to determine the medical role of this natural botanical.
Direct applications in dermatology have not yet been seen, but given the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities exhibited by this aporphine alkaloid, there is cause to promote its use in research. Boldine is already being incorporated into several cosmeceutical moisturizers, antiaging sera, eye and lip balms, and antioxidant masks available online.