Sichuan pepper as a skin "spice"
Keywords:
Sichuan pepper, Zanthoxylum, Anti-itching, Soothing, Sanshool, Lifting, WrinklesAbstract
Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim is a perennjal plant endemjc to the Sichuan province of China. Traditionally, it is employed as a culinary spice for its unique tingling-inducing properties, bound to the presence of a complex mixture of alkamides, and especially hydroxy-a-sanshool. Alkamides have a multi-receptor binding profile, being capable to interact with a host of ionotropic- (calcium-, potassium- and sodium type) and metabotropic- (peripheral cannabinoid receptors, CB2) receptors, and are responsible for both the chemestetic and the analgesie properties of the plant, known as the "toothache tree" for its use in fo lk dentistry. Apart from the dietary uses, the pericarps of the seeds of Z. bungeanum are the source of an oily extract used in dermatology and in cosmetic formulations to reduce itching and skin discomfort on sensitive and challenged skins. Preclinical and clinica! studies have been carried out to elucidate the molecular mechanism of activ ity of this extract and validate its clinical use in the treatment of itching of various ori gin. Recently, the lipophilic extract of the pericarp of Z. bungeanum has also been reported to exert liftjng activity, showing visible and transient improvement of facial wrinkles.