Search Results (8)

Facial aging is a complex process manifesting as skin hyperpigmentation, textural irregularities, and a diminished elasticity, hydration, and evenness of tone. The escalating demand for minimally invasive aesthetic interventions has driven the development of advanced hydrogel-based injectable formulations. This clinical study assessed the safety and efficacy of Hydragel A1, an injectable hydrogel containing hyaluronic acid (HA), niacinamide, and tranexamic acid (TXA), designed to simultaneously address multiple facets of facial skin aging. A cohort of 49 female participants underwent a series of objective and subjective assessments, including the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS), instrumental measurements (Antera 3D, Chromameter, Cutometer, Dermascan, Corneometer), and standardized photographic documentation at baseline (Day 0) and 14, 28, and 70 days post-treatment. The results demonstrated statistically significant improvements in skin hydration, texture, elasticity, and pigmentation following Hydragel A1 administration. Notably, no serious adverse events or significant injection site reactions were observed, confirming the favorable safety profile of the investigated device. Collectively, these findings underscore the potential of a combined HA, niacinamide, and TXA injectable formulation to provide a comprehensive approach to facial skin rejuvenation, effectively targeting multiple aging-related mechanisms. Full article

Background/Objectives: Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in skin aging and carcinogenesis. Phytochemicals such as sulforaphane (SF, from broccoli sprouts or seeds) or curcumin (CUR, from turmeric) can be highly protective against this stress. They each induce a suite of cytoprotective and antioxidant enzymes that are coordinately transcribed via the Keap1-Nrf2-ARE pathway in mammals, such as the prototypical cytoprotective enzyme NAD(P)H dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1). Methods: Eighteen healthy human volunteers (9 males, 9 females, aged 18–69. were randomized to receive daily glucoraphanin (GR), which is converted to SF upon ingestion (450 mg; 1 mmol), CUR (1000 mg; 2.7 mmol), or both (450 mg GR + 1000 mg CUR), as oral supplements. After 8 days of a diet low in both compounds, blood and urine were collected for compliance and biomarker measurements. Randomized spots on the buttock’s skin were exposed to 2 x M.E.D. of UVB, and punch biopsies were obtained 1 and 3 days later for biomarker and histological measurement. Erythema was measured with a chromameter daily for 3 consecutive days following UVB. The process was repeated after receiving oral supplements, both with and without UVB exposure. Results: Compared to baseline, each treatment (n = 6 for each) induced NQO1 mRNA levels in skin biopsies: 3.1-fold with GR, 3.3-fold with CUR, and 3.6-fold with the combination of GR and CUR. Across all treatments (n = 18), expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α were reduced, as were IL-6, IL-17, STING, and CYR61, though less robustly. Modulation of these biomarkers persisted, but was less pronounced, in biopsies taken following UV exposure. The presence of SF and its metabolites in the skin post-treatment was confirmed by examining 6 of 12 subjects who ingested GR. Supplement effects on erythema following UV exposure were not significant, and no significant changes were measured in the same biomarkers in blood cells (PBMC), or by counting dyskeratotic keratinocytes. Supplements were well tolerated and compliance was excellent. Conclusions: Oral GR and CUR are well tolerated and have for the first time been shown to result in increased expression of cytoprotective genes and reduced expression of inflammatory cytokine genes in human skin in vivo. This mechanism-based clinical study suggests that an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective benefit from these oral supplements is delivered to the skin in humans. Full article

Cherimoya (Annona squamosa L.) is a nutrient-rich fruit. However, it is not easy to store because of its susceptibility to browning. In order to prolong the storage period of cherimoya, the fruit was treated with chlorine dioxide (ClO₂) at different concentrations (20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 mg L⁻¹) and stored at 15 °C for 8 days. The quality and biochemical indexes of the fruit were investigated using a chromameter, high-performance liquid chromatography and scanning electron microscopy, etc. The results showed that all the treatments with various concentrations of ClO₂ could delay the increase in the browning index, loss of weight, and decrease in hardness. Meanwhile, ClO₂ treatment effectively reduced the consumption of starch, titratable acids, and phenolics as well as inhibited the polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity and enzymatic oxidation. It can be seen from the Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FTIR) that the C=O stretching peak at 1731 cm⁻¹ disappeared at a ClO₂ concentration of 60 mg L⁻¹. We think the ClO₂ treatment may inhibit the oxidation of phenol to quinone. According to the Arrhenius formula, the values of the apparent activation energy (E_a) for enzymatic browning reaction were estimated. The E_a with catechol in cherimoya pericarp and flesh were 67.00 and 47.83 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. It was found that the phenolic enzyme reaction with catechol has a much smaller E_a and a higher affinity for PPO. Therefore, treatment with ClO₂ at a suitable concentration for cherimoya stored at 15 °C could effectively maintain fruit quality and prolong the storage period; the most appropriate concentration is 60 mg L⁻¹. Full article

The potencies of topical corticosteroid products have mainly been classified using clinical data but in some instances, the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) vasoconstrictor assay (VCA) to assess the skin blanching response has also been used. However, the reported skin blanching response data were often based on a single visual reading and lack information on the dose (amount/quantity) or dose duration. Although several lists classifying potencies of various topical corticosteroid products have been published, the inherent potencies of topical corticosteroid raw materials used as active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) have not been investigated. The objective was to rank the inherent potencies of topical corticosteroid APIs and to standardize dosing such that the relevant compounds could be compared on a normalized molar basis. The potencies of clobetasol propionate, halcinonide, mometasone furoate, and fluocinolone acetonide were compared using the resulting E_max data following the fitting of the relevant response data to the E_max model where mometasone furoate > fluocinolone acetonide = clobetasol propionate > halcinonide. This ranking lists the respective inherent potencies of the APIs, which will facilitate the choice of a suitable candidate for incorporation into an appropriate topical corticosteroid product for a specific clinical indication. Full article

The stability of chocolate is mainly influenced by cocoa butter re-crystallization during storage, shown through fat bloom (appearance of white layers of cocoa butter on chocolate surface). The aim of this study was to examine the influence of cocoa shell addition on stability of dark and milk chocolate over a one-year storage period. Dark and milk chocolates were produced in a ball mill. Four chocolates were produced, two with the addition of cocoa shell (5% in milk and 15% in dark) and two control chocolates without the addition. The effect of cocoa shell on chocolate stability was examined by determining total color change and whiteness index (calculated from parameters L*, a* and b* determined using chromameter), total polyphenol content (TPC) (using the Folin–Ciocalteau method) and thermo-physical properties (using differential scanning calorimetry). Total color change and whiteness index were lower in chocolates with cocoa shell than in control samples. Over a period of one year, milk and dark chocolate with cocoa shell had lower enthalpy. Total polyphenol content in all chocolates did not change significantly through the storage period, although chocolates with cocoa shell had lower TPC because part of the cocoa liquor was replaced with cocoa shell. Full article

Various cosmetics having a single function are increasingly being used, but cosmetics having multifunctional activities remain limited. We aimed to develop a multifunctional cosmetic cream having antioxidant, anti-tyrosinase, anti-aging and antimicrobial activities. Antimicrobial activities were performed by disc-diffusion method. Cell toxicity and cell proliferations were evaluated in a 96-well plate with different cell lines such as HaCaT, RAW264.7, CCD-986Sk, B16F1, and B16F10. Mushroom tyrosinase inhibition, elastase inhibition, and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activities were evaluated and IC₅₀ was calculated. Mesoporous silica particle was synthesized using Pluronic P123 and tetraethyl ortho-silicate (TEOS). Facial pictures were captured by VISIA-CR (Facial Imaging System for Clinical Research). Roughness of image was analysed by PRIMOS software and brightness of image was analyzed by Chromameter CR-400. The crude product of strain T65 inhibited the different human pathogenic bacteria such as Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus epidermidis. The IC₅₀ of T65 crude product for mushroom tyrosinase, elastase, and DPPH radical scavenging activities were 58.73, 14.68, and 6.31 µg/mL, respectively. T65 crude product proliferated collagen type I in CCD-986Sk cell up to 145.91% ± 9.11% (mean ± SD; mean of 24, 48, and 72 h) at 250 pg/mL. Synthesized mesoporous particles (SBA-15) confirmed the sustainable performance by control-release for three days. Formulated functional cosmetic cream containing T65 embedded SBA-15, significantly decreased the skin roughness by 4.670% and increased the skin brightness by 0.472% after application of 4 weeks. T65 crude product inhibited both Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens. Synthesized mesoporous particle, SBA-15, confirmed the physiologically active substance was released in sustainable release condition. T65 crude product showed impeccable antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-aging, and whitening activities with non-cytotoxic effects to different cell lines related to the human skin. Full article

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of an oral supplement (CP) containing collagen peptide, soy peptide, and chrysanthemum extract in Chinese female adult volunteers with melasma. The approval of the Institutional Ethics Committee of the third affiliated hospital, Sun-Yat Sen University, was obtained before the study. A signed consent was obtained from each volunteer prior to study to enable the volunteer to appreciate the aim of the study and the consequences of her consent. Sixty-two female volunteers aged 30–60 years were included in the study, and were randomized into a treatment group or a placebo group. The skin tone of the pigmented spots was evaluated using Chromameter, and pigment density was evaluated using Mexameter before and after the treatment. Significant changes in skin tone parameters of L value and ITA° (individual typology angle) were detected in the lesion area after the treatment (P < 0.01). When compared with placebo group, the treatment group achieved significant improvement in the brightness of the pigmented spots at the 45 and 60-day time points. A significant decrease in the level of melanin was observed in the treatment group when compared with the placebo group (p < 0.01). All data demonstrated through non-invasive in vivo instrumental measurement that daily oral intake of CP had clinical efficacy of reducing melasma severity. Full article

Objective: A temperature-sensitive state-changing hydrogel mask was used in this study. Once it comes into contact with the skin and reaches the body temperature, it uniformly and quickly releases the active compounds, which possess moisturizing, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties. Methods: An open label clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of the test product on skin hydration, skin tone and skin ageing. Subjects applied the product to one side of their face and underwent Corneometer^® and Chromameter measurements, Visual assessment of facial skin ageing and facial photography. All assessments and Self-Perception Questionnaires (SPQ) were performed at baseline, after the first application of the test product and after four applications. Results: After a single treatment we observed an increase in skin moisturisation, an improvement of skin tone/luminosity and a reduction in signs of ageing, all statistically significant. After four applications a further improvement in all measured parameters was recorded. These results were confirmed by the subjects’ own perceptions, as reported in the SPQ both after one and four applications. Conclusion: The hydrogel mask tested in this study is very effective in improving skin hydration, skin radiance and luminosity, in encouraging an even skin tone and in reducing skin pigmentation. Full article