English ivy nanoparticles better sunscreens than off the shelf prescriptions

Washington(ANI): Inspired by English ivy's amazing clinging power, a researcher has discovered that the tiny particles secreted from ivy rootlets could hold the key to making sunscreen safer and more effective.

Mingjun Zhang an associate professor of biomedical engineering at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, found that ivy nanoparticles might protect skin from UV radiation at least four times better than the metal-based sunblocks found on store shelves today.

Ivy nanaoparticles, according to Zhang, can be used in many breakthrough applications in items such as military technologies, medical adhesives and drug delivery, and, now sun-block.

"The discovery of ivy nanoparticles' application to sunscreen was triggered by a real need. While hearing a talk at a conference about toxicity concerns in the use of metal-based nanoparticles in sunscreen, I was wondering, 'Why not try naturally occurring organic nanoparticles?'" said Zhang.

Zhang speculated the greenery's hidden power lay within a yellowish material secreted by the ivy for surface climbing.

The properties of the nanoparticles in the secretion create the ability for the vine leaves to hold almost 2 million more times than its weight.

It also has the ability to soak up and disperse light, which is integral to sunscreens.

"Nanoparticles exhibit unique physical and chemical properties due to large surface-to-volume ratio which allows them to absorb and scatter light," Zhang said.

"Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are currently used for sunscreen for the same reason, but the ivy nanoparticles are more uniform than the metal-based nanoparticles, and have unique material properties, which may help to enhance the absorption and scattering of light, and serve better as a sun-blocker," he added.

The team's study indicates that ivy nanoparticles can improve the extinction of ultraviolet light at least four times better than its metal counterparts.

Unlike, metal-based sunscreens used today that can pose health hazards, ivy nanoparticles exhibit better biocompatibility with humans and the environment.

The team's studies indicate that the ivy nanoparticles were less toxic to mammalian cells, have a limited potential to penetrate through human skin, and are easily biodegradable.

Sunscreens made with ivy nanoparticles may not need to be reapplied after swimming.

That's because the plant's nanoparticles are a bit more adhesive so sunscreens made with them may not wash off as easily as traditional sunscreens.

And while sunscreens made with metal-based nanoparticles give the skin a white tinge, sunscreens made with ivy nanoparticles are virtually invisible when applied to the skin.