Jojoba

In rodent models, jojoba liquid wax reduced carrageenin-induced paw edema, prostaglandin E2 levels, croton oil-induced ear edema, and LPS-induced nitric oxide and TNF-alpha release. In an ex vivo human skin organ culture model, jojoba wax reduced LPS-induced IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-alpha secretion by approximately 30%, with emulsified preparations achieving anti-inflammatory efficacy comparable to dexamethasone.

A small double-blind RCT found that a formulation containing 1.25% hydrolyzed jojoba esters plus glycerol significantly reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL) compared to glycerol alone at both 8 and 24 hours post-application (P < 0.05). A dermatology review further supports jojoba's moisturizing and skin-barrier properties due to its structural similarity to human sebum.

In vitro, jojoba liquid wax accelerated wound closure in human HaCaT keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts with extremely low cytotoxicity, acting through calcium-dependent PI3K-Akt-mTOR and p38/ERK1/2 MAPK signaling pathways. Jojoba also stimulated collagen I production in fibroblasts. A dermatology review corroborates wound healing as a potential application.

In vitro, four commercial jojoba wax preparations demonstrated significant antiviral activity against Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1) with an EC50 of approximately 0.96 µg/mL, confirmed by plaque reduction assays, RT-PCR, and immunocytochemistry. The antiviral effect was independent of simmondsin content. No antibacterial or antifungal activity was observed.

In male albino rats, oral jojoba oil co-administration with the pesticide fipronil significantly enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT) and glutathione levels while reducing oxidative stress markers, compared to fipronil alone. This is a single animal toxicology study and the antioxidant effects were demonstrated in the context of toxicant-induced oxidative stress, not baseline supplementation.