Scent of sandalwood aids healing of human skin: Study

Researchers claim that the human skin is responsive towards the scent of Sandalwood, which helps it heal.

The study, which was led by Dr. Daniela Busse and Prof Dr. Dr. Dr. Med. Habil. Hanns Hatt at the Ruhr-Universitat Bochum, found that in addition to having 350 different types olfactory receptors in the nose, human beings the odor receptors in the outermost layer of their skin, keratinocytes, as well.

The olfactory receptor in skin, namely OR2AT4, is activated by a synthetic sandalwood scent, so-called Sandalore, and the activated OR2AT4 receptor triggers a calcium-dependent signal pathway. That pathway ensures an increased proliferation and a quicker migration of skin cells, processes which typically facilitate wound healing.

 

In collaboration with the Dermatology Department at the University of Munster, the cell physiologists from Bochum demonstrated that effect in skin cell cultures and skin explants.

Prof Hanns Hatt said that though the results showed that receptors possess therapeutic and cosmetic potential, the concentrated fragrances should be handled with care until the functions of different types of olfactory receptors in skin cells have been ascertained.

The findings are published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.