Sandalwood fragrance heals wounds faster

Accelerated wound healing of the skin by sandalwood fragrance

09/07/2014

Our skin can smell and can be influenced by certain fragrances. Researchers at the University of Bochum found that out. Thus, tiny olfactory receptors reside in the keratinocytes, the cells that form the outer layer of the skin. One of these olfactory receptors reacts to sandalwood scent, write the researchers in the journal „Journal of Investigative Dermatology. "The scent is intended to promote wound healing and skin regeneration.

Sandalwood fragrance stimulates the wound healing of the skin
The human nose contains about 350 different types of olfactory receptors. They have also been discovered in other tissues such as the intestine, prostate, kidney, and sperm. Dr. Daniela Busse and Prof. Hanns Hatt from the Department of Cell Physiology at the Ruhr University Bochum have now detected olfactory receptors in keratinocytes.

According to the researchers, one of the scent receptors, OR2AT4, can be activated using Sandalore, a synthetic sandalwood fragrance. This stimulates a calcium-dependent pathway in the cell, resulting in increased skin cell division. In addition, the cells migrate faster. These are processes that would typically occur in wound healing, the researchers report. In cooperation with scientists from the University of Münster, the Bochumers demonstrated the effect on skin cell cultures and skin explants.

In addition to OR2AT4, other olfactory receptors have been discovered in human skin, whose function the scientists want to investigate even more closely. „The results show that they have therapeutic and cosmetic potential, "explains Hatt. „But we should also keep in mind that one should be careful with concentrated fragrances unless we know what function the various fragrance receptors in skin cells have. "

The researchers' findings could provide a new starting point for the development of medicines and cosmetics.

Sandalwood fragrance in natural medicine
Sandalwood is considered an old remedy in natural medicine. So the fragrance should have a soothing and sensual balancing effect on the psyche. Often therefore incense sticks and perfumes are offered with sandalwood fragrance.

The use of sandalwood oil is recommended by naturopaths in any type of mucosal inflammation. In addition, psoriasis can be treated with sandalwood extract - applied externally - if it is a lighter form. (Ag)