Plants with unique metabolic properties are an ideal source for satisfying the increasing demand for ‘natural’ active ingredients, as they can produce exceptional compounds. Resurrection plants, to this end, are characterised by the ability to survive extreme desiccation without dying and to revive within a few hours after the addition of water. The Myrothamnaceae family comprising Myrothamnus flabellifolia is the only family with woody representatives that can grow to a respectable size.
The resurrection properties of M. flabellifolia are based on physical stabilisation (such as leaf morphology, cell-wall composition etc.) and metabolic adaptation. As an example, water loss increases the production of protective constituents such as galloylquinic acids.
This is of major significance for cosmetic applications, because desiccation not only threatens resurrection plants but also the skin. Our own studies and results from the literature suggest that the metabolites from M. flabellifolia effectively impart skin protection by:
- improving cell-membrane plasticity
- defending skin lipids against oxidative damage and
- shielding functional components from drought stress.
In conclusion, the unique resurrection properties of M. flabellifolia could be convincingly transferred to the consumer suffering from harsh conditions: Myramaze, a novel extract of M. flabellifolia, rapidly regenerated and invigorated stressed skin – for more than 48 hours after a single application.
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