Placenta is an important organ that during fetal development provides a link between maternal and fetal body and performs respiratory, excretory, trophic, protective, endocrine and immune functions.

However, even without special knowledge since early times, mankind has considered the biological role of the placenta  to be much wider and even allocated it certain mythical properties. Some ancient peoples had a common tradition  to preserve placenta after birth, sometimes the child was  even swaddled together with placenta.

Biological properties of placenta extract were first described by the famous Russian ophthalmologist VP Filatov only at the beginning of the last century, although in Europe and Asia, in India and China placenta extracts with curative intent were used much earlier, primarily to stimulate wound healing.

Modern studies of the biochemical composition of the placenta showed that it contains a lot of unique biologically active substances: important growth factors and their receptors, hormones and some special proteins.

Preparations of placenta extracts are widely used in complex treatment and rehabilitation of patients with systemic inflammatory diseases of connective tissue, psoriasis, vitiligo, burns, wounds, chronic ulcers, gynecological diseases, immunodeficiencies, etc. It is important that the placenta extracts are able to implement its action on the cellular and subcellular level.

Consequently, due to its biochemical composition, placenta extract is characterized by the following properties:

1.  immunoregulatory;
2. regenerative;
3. neuroprotective;
4. anti-inflammatory and analgesic;
5. antiallergic;
6. antineoplastic;
7. normalize hormonal function in women.

Unique biochemical composition of the placenta creates prerequisites for use of placental extracts in the following fields of medicine:

1.  Dermatology and Cosmetology.
2. Internal Medicine.
3. Surgery and Traumatology.
4. Neurology.
5. Oncology.
6. Gynecology.

 Application of placenta extracts in dermatology and cosmetology.

 It is proved that the extract of placenta stimulates the formation of collagen, the main protein of connective tissue, which ensures skin turgor. Also placenta extract contains numerous growth factors which have a regenerating effect. All this creates the preconditions for the successful application of placenta extract in cosmetics and anti-aging therapy, to reduce wrinkles, for scar treatment, skin repair.

The experimental and clinical studies have also shown that placental extract can be used successfully in the treatment of psoriasis, vitiligo, burns, chronic wounds, skin whitening . It is proved that the action of placental extract in a dose of 1.0 mg / ml promotes hair growth.

It is known that the placenta extract has anti-inflammatory properties, mediated by its inhibiting effect on the enzyme cyclooxygenase -2, which produces inflammatory mediators. It is worth noting that mechanism of action of most anti-inflammatory pharmaceuticals is associated with inhibition of this enzyme.

Thus, the presence of a wide variety of growth factors, proteins and vitamins in placenta extract, its modulatory effect on the activity of pro-inflammatory enzymes, stimulation of collagen formation suggests that placenta is a valuable material for the production of individual products to preserve the beauty and health.

The Clinic of the Institute of Cell Therapy has gained significant experience in the use of placenta extracts in cosmetics as well as in programs of anti-age therapy.

 Application of placental extract in internal medicine.

The impaired function of the immune system – immune deficiency or allergy mediate the development of many diseases of the internal organs. Immunodeficiency disorders often complicate the course of diseases of the bronchopulmonary system and kidneys, they also slow the healing processes, promote infection development. At the same time the development of autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, nonspecific ulcerative colitis, multiple sclerosis) occur due to excessive antibodies production, when the immune system produces antibodies against its own tissues, damaging them.

The special value of placental extract is that depending on the condition of the immune system the effect of placental preparations can be both immunopotentiating and immunosuppressive. This allows the use of placental extracts in the complex treatment of immunodeficiency disorders, rehabilitation of patients after infectious diseases and surgery as well as in the cases of allergy and autoimmune diseases.

To date, the effectiveness of placenta extract is confirmed in the treatment of recurrent respiratory infections, bronchitis, asthma, liver dysfunction, and atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels.

 Application of placenta extract in neurology.

Numerous papers confirm the neuroprotective effects of placental extract, so the drug can be considered promising for the treatment and rehabilitation of patients with neurological diseases and injuries of the spinal cord and brain.

It is also shown that the use of placenta extract in children with mental retardation (under 5 years) with the level of IQ 85-90 led to an increase in their IQ coefficient and improvement of the the processes associated with learning, memory and analysis. And the increase of the level of dopamine in the brain under the action of placenta extract indicates its anti-stress effect.

 Application of placenta extract in surgery and traumatology.

One of the most pronounced therapeutic effects of placental extract is stimulation of wound healing. The efficiency of placental extracts was reported in the treatment of venous ulcers of lower extremities, diabetic foot. Therapeutic efficacy of placenta extract was proven in an open randomized comparative clinical study involving 79 patients (aged 18 years ˃ ) after orthopedic surgery for open dislocation, spinal surgery, chronic wounds. Also, there is evidence that placental extract can be used successfully for the treatment of periodontal disease.

 Application of placenta extract in oncology.

It was revealed that placental extract may exert an antitumor effect, resulting in both tumor cell death and decrease of their malignant properties. It is also shown that the use of placenta extracts reduces radiation stomatitis and cystitis. These complications often occur in cancer patients after irradiation.

Application of placenta extract in gynecology.

Due to the high content of biologically active hormones and hormone-like substances in balanced proportions , numerous studies have reported the positive effects of the use of placenta drugs on hormonal balance in women, reduction of undesirable manifestations of menopause and gestosis.

A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that included 108 postmenopausal women found that treatment with placenta extract during 4 weeks significantly reduced the pathological manifestations of menopause

The efficiency of placental extract in the treatment of erosive lesions of the cervix and vagina was also shown.

 Achievements of Ukrainian scientists in the field of cryopreservation of placenta.

According to the renowned placenta researcher Chakraborty PD, who in his papers compiled clinical experience of use of placental drugs, chemical composition of placenta extract significantly depends on the method of its preparation. Therefore, the methodology used to obtain placental preparations, largely determine the efficacy and safety of their use.

To date, scientists from the Institute of CellTherapy developed and put into practice the unique methods of placenta extract production, as well as the separation of stem cells from placental tissue, which are successfully used in the treatment of immunodeficiencies, for stimulation of hematopoiesis and comprehensive rehabilitation programs of patients as well as in dermatology and cosmetology.

more articles