Lemongrass essential oil obtained from Cymbopogon flexuosus is composed mainly of the monoterpenoid citral. In an original study conducted by doTERRA scientists, the effect of Lemongrass on the BioMAP® skin fibroblast system was characterized using ELISA biomarker analysis and RNA microarrays to measure protein levels and quantify gene expression.
The BioMAP system allowed doTERRA scientists to investigate how healthy cellular activity was supported by Lemongrass essential oil. The researchers added certain factors to cultured human skin cells and induced a cellular response in vitro that was expected to be similar to a cellular inflammatory response in vivo. Then some of the cells were exposed to essential Lemongrass oil, while others were left alone.
Both groups of cells were lysed (taken apart) and their internal contents analyzed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). ELISAs are tests that use antibodies to detect a specific protein and measure its concentration in the sample. The proteins of interest in this study are biomarkers known to be increased (produced in excess) during inflammatory processes in a cell. VCAM-1, IP-10, I-TAC, MIG, collagen I and III, EGFR, and PAI-1 were some of the 17 biomarkers studied.
Han and his collaborators found that Lemongrass-exposed cells had significantly lower levels of 11 of the 17 biomarkers compared with cells not exposed to Lemongrass. Other experiments showed that gene expression (measured by RNA levels) in these cells was also significantly altered. Pathways related to tissue remodeling and inflammation were also affected.
The results of this exciting study suggest that essential Lemongrass oil does indeed help support healthy skin, immune response and overall cellular well-being.*
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*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.