Protective Properties of Botanical Extracts against 5G Radiation-induced Damage to Human Skin, as
Abstract
Protective Properties of Botanical Extracts against 5G Radiation-induced Damage to Human Skin, as Demonstrated in Preliminary Data from a Keratinocyte Cell Culture Model Havas F, Cohen M, Krispin S, Attia-Vigneau J. Protective Properties of Botanical Extracts against 5G Radiation-induced Damage to Human Skin, as Demonstrated in Preliminary Data from a Keratinocyte Cell Culture Model. Front. Biosci. (Landmark Ed) 2024, 29(1). doi: 10.31083/j.fbl2901031. Abstract Background: Next-generation 5G communication technology involves increasing use of 3–100 GHz wireless bands in population centers. Though still non-ionizing, this implies higher radiation energy vs. existing bands. The range is also shorter, needing more numerous emitters, closer to the user—resulting in higher electromagnetic energy exposure. With no universal consensus regarding exposure risks, there is some concern among the public and the scientific community, following indications that 5G radiation can impact immune function, trigger inflammatory responses, and influence expression of genes affecting protein folding, oxidative stress, tissue/extracellular matrix (ECM) matrix turnover, and more. This work aims at identifying botanical extracts for protection of human skin from these impacts, based on a preliminary cell culture-based model. Methods: We irradiated human epidermal keratinocytes at 6 GHz, evaluating effects on Interleukin1-α (IL1-α), a key inflammatory cytokine; TIMP metallopeptidase inhibitor 1 (TIMP1), shown to inhibit collagenase; Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPLT4), which plays a role in wound healing and epidermal differentiation; and S100 calcium-binding protein A9 (S100A9), involved in immune recruitment during injury, by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunostaining. We next used this model to identify substances able to mitigate the effects of 5G irradiation, through the evaluation of the influence of treatment by one of several botanical extracts on the observed effects of 5G irradiation. Results: After a remarkably short 1-h exposure, clear effects on keratinocyte function were observed: increased inflammatory cytokine IL1-α; reduced collagenase inhibitor TIMP1; increased wound healing/differentiation facilitator ANGPLT4; and increased SA100A9, involved in immune recruitment during injury. On this basis, we then showed the protective effects of selected botanical extracts, capable of reducing the increase in IL1-α induced by 5G exposure, possibly in part due to anti- inflammatory and antioxidant properties of compounds present in these extracts. Conclusions: Our results show a clear influence of 5G irradiation on the keratinocytes, possibly indicating injury and damage responses. What’s more, we showed how these preliminary data can be used to identify botanical extracts capable of offering some protection against these effects for users of 5G technology, e.g., when employed as active ingredients in protective cosmetic applications. Open access paper: doi.org
AI evidence extraction
Main findings
In a keratinocyte cell culture model, 1-hour exposure to 6 GHz irradiation was reported to increase IL1-α, increase ANGPLT4, increase S100A9, and reduce TIMP1. The authors report that selected botanical extracts reduced the 5G-associated increase in IL1-α in this model.
Outcomes measured
- IL1-α (inflammatory cytokine)
- TIMP1 (collagenase inhibitor)
- ANGPLT4 (wound healing/epidermal differentiation)
- S100A9 (immune recruitment during injury)
- Immunostaining markers (not further specified)
Limitations
- Preliminary in vitro cell culture model; findings may not translate to humans or real-world exposures.
- Exposure metrics beyond frequency and duration (e.g., SAR/power density) are not provided in the abstract.
- Sample size and replication details are not reported in the abstract.
- Only a limited set of biomarkers were assessed; broader endpoints are not described.
- Botanical extracts are not specified in the abstract, limiting interpretability and reproducibility from the abstract alone.
Suggested hubs
-
5g-policy
(0.78) Study explicitly examines 5G-relevant frequency (6 GHz) and frames potential biological impacts.
View raw extracted JSON
{
"publication_year": null,
"study_type": "in_vitro",
"exposure": {
"band": "RF",
"source": "5G",
"frequency_mhz": 6000,
"sar_wkg": null,
"duration": "1 hour"
},
"population": "Human epidermal keratinocytes (cell culture model)",
"sample_size": null,
"outcomes": [
"IL1-α (inflammatory cytokine)",
"TIMP1 (collagenase inhibitor)",
"ANGPLT4 (wound healing/epidermal differentiation)",
"S100A9 (immune recruitment during injury)",
"Immunostaining markers (not further specified)"
],
"main_findings": "In a keratinocyte cell culture model, 1-hour exposure to 6 GHz irradiation was reported to increase IL1-α, increase ANGPLT4, increase S100A9, and reduce TIMP1. The authors report that selected botanical extracts reduced the 5G-associated increase in IL1-α in this model.",
"effect_direction": "harm",
"limitations": [
"Preliminary in vitro cell culture model; findings may not translate to humans or real-world exposures.",
"Exposure metrics beyond frequency and duration (e.g., SAR/power density) are not provided in the abstract.",
"Sample size and replication details are not reported in the abstract.",
"Only a limited set of biomarkers were assessed; broader endpoints are not described.",
"Botanical extracts are not specified in the abstract, limiting interpretability and reproducibility from the abstract alone."
],
"evidence_strength": "low",
"confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
"peer_reviewed_likely": "unknown",
"stance": "concern",
"stance_confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
"summary": "This preliminary in vitro study exposed human epidermal keratinocytes to 6 GHz (5G-relevant) radiation for 1 hour and measured inflammatory and skin-related biomarkers. The authors report increased IL1-α, ANGPLT4, and S100A9, with reduced TIMP1, interpreted as possible injury/damage responses. They further report that selected botanical extracts reduced the IL1-α increase induced by exposure in this model.",
"key_points": [
"The study used a human keratinocyte cell culture model to assess responses to 6 GHz irradiation.",
"After 1 hour of exposure, IL1-α was reported to increase, consistent with an inflammatory response marker.",
"TIMP1 was reported to decrease, while ANGPLT4 and S100A9 were reported to increase.",
"Biomarkers were assessed using ELISA and immunostaining.",
"The authors report that some botanical extracts reduced the exposure-associated increase in IL1-α.",
"The work is presented as preliminary and aimed at identifying protective cosmetic ingredients."
],
"categories": [
"5G",
"RF EMF",
"In Vitro",
"Skin",
"Inflammation"
],
"tags": [
"5G",
"6 GHz",
"Keratinocytes",
"Human Skin",
"In Vitro",
"Inflammation",
"IL1-α",
"TIMP1",
"ANGPLT4",
"S100A9",
"Botanical Extracts",
"Oxidative Stress",
"Cosmetic Applications"
],
"keywords": [
"5G",
"6 GHz",
"keratinocyte",
"IL1-α",
"TIMP1",
"ANGPLT4",
"S100A9",
"ELISA",
"immunostaining",
"botanical extracts",
"inflammation",
"oxidative stress"
],
"suggested_hubs": [
{
"slug": "5g-policy",
"weight": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
"reason": "Study explicitly examines 5G-relevant frequency (6 GHz) and frames potential biological impacts."
}
],
"social": {
"tweet": "Preliminary in vitro study: human keratinocytes exposed to 6 GHz for 1 hour showed changes in inflammatory/skin biomarkers (↑IL1-α, ↑ANGPLT4, ↑S100A9, ↓TIMP1). Authors report some botanical extracts reduced the IL1-α increase. doi:10.31083/j.fbl2901031",
"facebook": "A preliminary cell-culture study exposed human epidermal keratinocytes to 6 GHz (5G-relevant) radiation for 1 hour and reported changes in several biomarkers (increased IL1-α, ANGPLT4, S100A9; reduced TIMP1). The authors also report that selected botanical extracts reduced the IL1-α increase in this model. doi:10.31083/j.fbl2901031",
"linkedin": "Front. Biosci. (Landmark Ed) paper reports preliminary in vitro findings in human keratinocytes after 1-hour 6 GHz exposure (↑IL1-α, ↑ANGPLT4, ↑S100A9, ↓TIMP1) and describes screening botanical extracts that reduced the IL1-α increase in the model. doi:10.31083/j.fbl2901031"
}
}
AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.
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