Poplars may soon become more popular

I’ve always been a big fan of the scientific breakthrough. I guess one reason why I am so impressed with the talent of researchers is that even working in this field for years, I have realized that I still could never match that of the scientists who publish in ACS’s 39 scientific journals. Let me give you just one example of the level of my analytical abilities. It took me approximately four years to realize that if I took an enclosed walkway from my Metro station to the parking lot, it would be faster than taking the streets, and I would stay dry when it rained. I’m not kidding about this.

 

So I was flabbergasted this week when I read about a very surprising breakthrough in the ACS Weekly PressPac. It was one of those wonderful studies that prompts you to ask: How did they ever think of this one? It involves poplar trees. Poplar trees?  I can see majestic oaks or colorful maples in the fall, but who talks about poplars, with all due respect to poplar-lovers?

 

Antioxidants are popular anti-aging ingredients in skin creams, and now scientists are reporting a new source of these healthful substances — leaf buds of poplar trees. Their study appears in the ACS’ Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

Xavier Vitrac and colleagues note that there’s a long history of using poplar buds to treat various health problems, such as colds, sinusitis, sunburn and arthritis. A substance found in beehives that is made from poplar buds (called propolis) also appears to have similar disease-fighting benefits. Propolis’ effects seem to be due to poplar bud compounds, but very little is known about these substances. To see whether poplar buds are a good source of antioxidants for skin creams, the researchers decided to test an extract from the buds.

The group found that poplar bud extract had moderate antioxidant activity, and it demonstrated anti-aging effects on cells in the laboratory. “The collective antioxidant properties and transcriptional effect of this extract suggest potential anti-aging properties which could be utilized in cosmetic and nutraceutical formulations,” the scientists say.
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For more details, go to skin treatment.

 

 

Image: iStock