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Zamarrón AAuthorJuarranz AAuthor

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August 14, 2023
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Clinical applications of polypodium leucotomos (Fernblock®): an update

Publicated to:Life. 13 (7): 1513- - 2023-07-01 13(7), DOI: 10.3390/life13071513

Authors: Rodríguez-Luna, A.; Zamarrón, A.; Juarranz, A.; González, S.

Affiliations

Alcala Henares Univ, Dept Med & Med Specialties, Madrid 28805, Spain - Author
Autonoma Univ Madrid UAM, Fac Sci, Dept Biol, Madrid 28049, Spain - Author
Univ Rey Juan Carlos URJC, Fac Hlth Sci, Dept Basic Hlth Sci, Alcorcon 28933, Spain - Author
Univ Seville, Fac Pharm, Dept Pharmacol, Seville 41012, Spain - Author
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid - Author
Universidad de Alcalá - Author
Universidad de Sevilla , Universidad Rey Juan Carlos - Author
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Abstract

Exposure to sun radiation leads to higher risk of sunburn, pigmentation, immunosuppression, photoaging and skin cancer. In addition to ultraviolet radiation (UVR), recent research indicates that infrared radiation (IR) and visible light (VIS) can play an important role in the pathogenesis of some of these processes. Detrimental effects associated with sun exposure are well known, but new studies have shown that DNA damage continues to occur long after exposure to solar radiation has ended. Regarding photoprotection strategies, natural substances are emerging for topical and oral photoprotection. In this sense, Fernblock®, a standardized aqueous extract of the fern Polypodium Leucotomos (PLE), has been widely administered both topically and orally with a strong safety profile. Thus, this extract has been used extensively in clinical practice, including as a complement to photodynamic therapy (PDT) for treating actinic keratoses (AKs) and field cancerization. It has also been used to treat skin diseases such as photodermatoses, photoaggravated inflammatory conditions and pigmentary disorders. This review examines the most recent developments in the clinical application of Fernblock® and assesses how newly investigated action mechanisms may influence its clinical use.

Keywords

antioxidantsblue-lightextractfernblock(& regfernblock®hyperpigmentationimpactnrf2p53 expressionphotoagingphotodermatosesphotoprotectionpigmentationpolypodium leucotomosradiationultraviolet)Fernblock ®HyperpigmentationPhotoagingPhotodermatosesPhotoprotectionPhotoprotective activityPolypodium leucotomos

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Life due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2023, it was in position 26/109, thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Biology.

From a relative perspective, and based on the normalized impact indicator calculated from the Field Citation Ratio (FCR) of the Dimensions source, it yields a value of: 6.73, which indicates that, compared to works in the same discipline and in the same year of publication, it ranks as a work cited above average. (source consulted: Dimensions Jul 2025)

Specifically, and according to different indexing agencies, this work has accumulated citations as of 2025-07-16, the following number of citations:

  • Scopus: 6

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-07-16:

  • The use, from an academic perspective evidenced by the Altmetric agency indicator referring to aggregations made by the personal bibliographic manager Mendeley, gives us a total of: 30.
  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 40 (PlumX).

With a more dissemination-oriented intent and targeting more general audiences, we can observe other more global scores such as:

  • The Total Score from Altmetric: 17.5.
  • The number of mentions on the social network X (formerly Twitter): 2 (Altmetric).
  • The number of mentions in news outlets: 2 (Altmetric).

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.
  • Assignment of a Handle/URN as an identifier within the deposit in the Institutional Repository: https://repositorio.uam.es/handle/10486/715235