In today's world, medicinal plants and their extracts hold a significant place in modern medicine by providing an alternative to synthetic drugs and supporting the therapy of many diseases. The development of phytotherapy, the treatment with herbs, has made impressive progress in shaping new therapeutic strategies. It's notable that many of the medications used today are derived from plants. Medicinal plants, especially their essential oils, are a complex collection of compounds with diverse effects—from antioxidant to antibacterial.
One of the plants long valued in natural therapy is oregano. Belonging to the Lamiaceae family, oregano is known not only for its intense aroma but also for a range of health benefits. Extracts from oregano, particularly essential oils, are rich in active compounds such as carvacrol and thymol, which have proven antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal effects. These properties of the oregano extract, which is a component of our horse repellent Hempqualizer, make it not only ideal for repelling insects but also for caring for wounds, abrasions, or areas where hair growth has diminished.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the effects of oregano and its extracts, which make our repellent Hempqualizer a unique protection for horses while also supporting their health and well-being.
Antibacterial Effect of Oregano Extract
Health professionals have been battling the rapid spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria for years, searching for new molecules with potential antibacterial activity. The interest in medicinal plants such as oregano is growing as natural plant compounds demonstrate antibacterial properties. As early as the 5th century BC, Hippocrates used oregano to fight infections of the skin, respiratory system, and digestive tract due to its antibacterial properties.
The main components of our used CO2 extract from oregano, responsible for its antibacterial action, are the phenols carvacrol and thymol. Due to their hydrophobic nature, these compounds act by dissolving the hydrophobic part of the bacterial membrane, increasing its permeability, and causing the loss of the phospholipid bilayer's structure.
Simply put, carvacrol and thymol damage the structure and function of the bacterial cell membrane, which is crucial for their antibacterial efficacy.
Studies have shown that oregano extract has antibacterial activity against many skin pathogens, including:
Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), a Gram-positive bacterium whose toxins lead to the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Skin infections by S. aureus can manifest as purulent outbreaks, hair follicle inflammation, boils, and even more severe skin infections. Additionally, MRSA strains (methicillin-resistant S. aureus) pose a serious public health threat due to their antibiotic resistance.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), a Gram-negative bacterium that can cause severe skin diseases and is classified by the World Health Organization as a high-priority pathogen due to the risk of hospital infections and high level of antibiotic resistance.
The research results indicate that oregano oil, particularly its components carvacrol and thymol, can be promising compounds in dermocosmetics, offering a natural solution in the fight against bacterial skin pathogens. Their ability to inhibit biofilm formation by P. aeruginosa opens new possibilities in the search for natural compounds that counteract bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation.
Oregano oil and its active ingredients such as carvacrol and thymol are therefore a powerful tool in the natural protection of horses from bacteria, both for preventing infections and for protecting wounds or abrasions.
Antioxidant Effect of Oregano Extract
The skin is the largest organ of the body and plays a crucial role in protection against various external factors such as microorganisms, allergens, xenobiotics, and ultraviolet radiation. This is particularly important in the context of horses, whose skin is exposed to similar threats, including sunlight in the pasture or contact with various substances in the stable environment. Oxidative stress, induced by an excessive amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS), plays a significant role in the development of numerous skin diseases.
The skin's antioxidant system consists of enzymes and non-enzymatic substances that are both produced by the body and supplied from outside. These antioxidants work by inhibiting the formation of free radicals or chelating metal ions, which is crucial for protecting membrane lipids, collagen, amino acids, and DNA structure from damage.
Oregano oil, due to its content of thymol and carvacrol, is extensively studied for its antioxidant activity. These two terpenes, thanks to their ability to form complexes with free radicals and chelate metal ions, contribute significantly to the many pharmacological effects of this plant. Studies have confirmed that oregano oil exhibits strong antioxidant activity, which can help protect the skin from damage caused by ROS.
The use of oregano oil in our repellent Hempqualizer not only protects horses from insects but also supports the protection of their skin from the negative effects of external factors and oxidative processes. Thanks to its antioxidant properties, oregano oil can help maintain the skin health of horses, support their disease resistance, and accelerate wound healing.
The antioxidant effect of oregano oil, combined with its antibacterial properties, makes it an indispensable component of the Hempqualizer preparation, offering comprehensive protection and care for the skin of horses.
Anti-inflammatory Effect
Oregano oil (Origanum vulgare L.) is intensively researched for its anti-inflammatory properties, mainly due to the presence of carvacrol, which reduces TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8, induces the secretion of IL-10, and inhibits the activity of NADPH-oxidase, lipoxygenase, and reactive oxygen species. This is crucial for the relief of inflammation and the acceleration of the healing process.
An in-vitro study on human skin fibroblasts showed that oregano oil significantly reduces levels of inflammatory markers and promotes tissue remodeling, suggesting its potential in treating chronic inflammatory conditions and supporting wound healing. Similarly, a study on the anti-inflammatory effects of carvacrol in experimental models of swelling demonstrated promising results in using this terpene for skin diseases associated with swelling and leukocyte infiltration.
Furthermore, a study on a mouse paw edema model showed that carvacrol significantly lowers levels of IL-1β and PGE2 and downregulates the expression of COX-2, while simultaneously increasing the level of IL-10. The anti-inflammatory property of carvacrol is closely linked to its ability to induce IL-10, which is important for modulating the immune response and relieving inflammation.
The use of oregano extract in our repellent, Hempqualizer, is responsible for its additional effect in the form of relieving skin inflammation, which is particularly important for horses suffering from skin diseases or injuries.
WOUND HEALING
Wound treatment involves physical, chemical, or thermal injuries that disrupt the normal anatomy and function of living tissue. Wound healing is a complex process influenced by various factors such as bacterial infections, tissue hydration, and the presence of inflammation. This process can be divided into four stages: coagulation, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. Since wound pathology includes inflammatory processes, oxidative stress, and even bacterial infections, natural compounds with proven anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities present a promising option in wound healing management.
Studies on human keratinocytes have shown that oregano extract has the potential to accelerate the wound healing process through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Key components such as carvacrol, thymol, and p-cymene have been identified as factors that reduce inflammation markers and DNA damage, and enhance cell migration, which is crucial for rapid wound healing.
A systematic review of the wound-healing effect of thymol and carvacrol has demonstrated that these monoterpenes intervene in three stages of wound healing:
They reduce inflammatory processes and bacterial invasion.
They promote re-epithelialization and tissue remodeling.
They modulate collagen induction.
This underscores the significance of these compounds in the development of new therapies to support wound healing. In the context of horse care, the use of oregano extract in the preparation Hempqualizer not only offers protection against insects but also supports wound healing, which is particularly valuable for animals exposed to various skin injuries.
HaIR GROWTH
How is it possible that our customers notice enhanced hair regrowth on bald spots caused by bites, abrasions, or other "adventures" on their horses, which in some cases is even described as accelerated?
In the context of horse care and concern for the health and appearance of their coat, studies on the effect of oregano extract (Origanum vulgare) on hair growth are significant. The conducted study aimed to investigate the effects of oregano extracts on the proliferation of human hair follicle cells (HHDPC) using the Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay, antioxidant activity via the 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method, expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) through Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) analysis, and hair growth in an animal model using C57BL/6 mice, which were topically applied 0.1 mL of extract daily for 3 weeks.
The mice were divided into four groups, including a normal group (physiological saline, N), a negative control group (Dimethyl sulfoxide, NC), a positive control group using Minoxidil—a common ingredient in most hair growth products (Minoxidil 5 mg/mL, PC)—and an experimental group (Oregano extracts, OV).
The expression of IGF-1 in the skin was significantly increased in the PC and OV groups compared to the N or NC groups. Both PC and OV also showed significant stimulation of hair growth compared to the N or NC groups.
Moreover, hair regeneration in the OV group was significantly higher than in the PC group.
These results suggest that oregano extracts effectively stimulated hair growth in the animal model and were even more effective than Minoxidil, commonly used in most popular hair growth products.
This could have direct applications in horse care, particularly in cases where issues with hair growth, bald spots, or poor coat condition are observed. The use of the repellent Hempqualizer could not only protect the horses' skin from insects but also support the regeneration and growth of hair, contributing to the improvement of the overall health status and appearance of the coat.
Comments