Cosmetic Benefits of Astaxanthin on Human Subjects Kumi Tominaga, Nobuko Hongo, Mariko Karato and Eiji Yamashita Powerpoint by Stacy San Diego,MD

Introduction

Astaxanthin, a potent carotenoid antioxidant. Derived from the microalgae, Haematococcus pluvial. One of the oldest carotenoids isolated and identified from crustaceans It has shown suppression of hyperpigmentation, improvement in moisture and elasticity; and inhibitions of melanin synthesis and photoaging.

Methods

Materials Astaxanthin 3mg capsules mixed with canola oil Placebo capsules for control (canola oil in soft capsules) 1ml of topical solution that contains 78.9 μM astaxanthin without any other active ingredients and base materials.

Subject and Study Design Open-labelled. non-controlled clinical trial 30 healthy Japanese women aged 20 to 55 years old one capsule twice daily (total of 6mg per day) 1 ml of topical application was applied to the face also twice daily measurement of each item were performed at 3 points, at the beginning, after 4 weeks and after 8 weeks

Subject and Study Design randomized double blind placebo controlled clinical trial 36 Japanese male aged 20 to 60yo oral active form twice daily (18 subjects) placebo form twice daily (18 subjects) measurements of each test item were performed at the beginning and after 6 weeks

Measurements of Parameters wrinkle - left crow’s feet, calculated by image analysis based on 6 parameters deepest point mean depth maximum width of the deepest wrinkle area ratio, mean depth and volume ratio of all wrinkles elasticity - left crows feet age spot - left cheek skin texture - left cheek evaluated by corneocyte stripping and image analysis on 4 parameters number, mean depth, volume ratio of texture and projection number of texture

Measurements of Parameters moisture content - left crow’s feet and cheek sebum oil - left cheek and nose transepidermal water loss (TEWL) - left cheek Wrinkle, elasticity, age spots, skin texture and moisture content were measured for Study 1. wrinkle, elasticity, moisture content, sebum oil and TWEL were measured for Study 2.

Results

Study 1 improvement on visible wrinkles of the crow’s feet significant improvements on 4 parameters deepest point of the deepest wrinkle mean depth of the deepest wrinkle maximum width of the deepest wrinkle mean depth of all wrinkles No improvement on the moisture content of the corneocyte layer of the left crow’s feet

Visual Improvements of the left crow’s feet wrinkle as recorded by skin surface photographs and Facial Stage analysis

Significant improvements on deepest point, mean depth, maximum width of the deepest wrinkle and mean depth of all wrinkles

Study 1 elasticity improved at both week 4 and 8 visual age spot reductions were observed visual rough skin improvements were observed. significant improvement on the parameter, mean depth of texture total area of the corneocyte at week-8 significantly improved from the start period moisture content only improved in dry skin subjects

Study 2 Significant improvement in Area ratio and Volume ratio of all wrinkles Moisture content also only improved in dry skin subjects Elasticity, transepidermal water loss, and sebum oil all showed improvement.

Discussion

In study 1, Significant improvements were observed in skin wrinkle (deepest point, mean depth, maximum width of the deepest wrinkle and mean depth of all wrinkles). elasticity skin texture moisture content of corneocyte layer (cheek in 10 dry skin subjects) and corneocyte condition Combination technique may be more beneficial to the skin

In study 2, Significant improvements were observed in skin wrinkle (area ratio and volume ratio of all wrinkles) elasticity TWEL moisture in dry skin subjects sebum oil Combination technique may be more beneficial to the skin Astaxanthin supplementation exhibited cosmetic benefits also in male subjects.

In study 2, Significant improvements were observed in skin wrinkle elasticity TWEL moisture in dry skin subjects sebum oil Combination technique may be more beneficial to the skin Astaxanthin supplementation exhibited cosmetic benefits also in male subjects.

The mechanism of action of wrinkle reduction by astaxanthin could be explained as a dermis condition improvement through collagen fiber recovery. Astaxanthin promotes collagen fiber recovery by protecting the dermal layer from singlet oxygen damage which has been substantiated by an in vitro study using human dermal fibroblasts. Elasticity was also improved as a result of collagen fiber recovery both studies Significant inhibition of melanogenesis in age spots by suppressing the oxidative polymerization in melanocytes and inflammation in epidermis. Topical treatment might be more deeply involved in the improvement of rough skin than oral supplementation

Astaxanthin treatment might normalize the corneocyte conditions protecting the keratinocyte differentiation and cornification from oxidative damages such as inflammation in epidermis Supplementation may help to reduce rough skin and aging odor protecting the sebum oil from peroxidation Significant TWEL improvements may haveresulted in normalizing the corneocyte condition. Atopic skin patients who have high TEWL may be treated by astaxanthin supplementation Astaxanthin was not only found to be beneficial for the skin but also for physical endurance, inflammatory skin diseases and neuroprotective effects.

Conclusion

In conclusion, these results may suggest that astaxanthin derived from H. pluvialis can improve skin condition in all layers such as corneocyte layer, epidermis, basal layer and dermis by combining both oral supplementation and topical treatment and oral supplementation of astaxanthin can improve the skin condition in not only women but also men.

References K. Tomiga et al. Cosmetic benefits of Astaxanthin on humans subjects. Acta Biochimica Polonica. 2012.