Resveratrol-procyanidin blend: nutraceutical and antiaging efficacy evaluated in a placebocontrolled, double-blind study

Abstract

Background: Skin is constantly exposed to pro-oxidant environmental stress from several sources, including air pollutants, ultraviolet solar light, and chemical oxidants. Reactive oxygen species have been implicated in age-related skin disorders. Dietary bioactive antioxidant compounds, such as polyphenols, have beneficial effects on skin health. The advantage of a nutritional administration route is that blood delivers nutraceutical bioactive compounds continuously to all skin compartments, ie, the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous fat. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the topical and systemic effects of a dietary supplement containing resveratrol and procyanidin on age-related alterations to the skin, the skin antioxidant pool, and systemic oxidative stress levels.

Methods: An instrumental study was performed in 50 subjects (25 treated with supplements and 25 with placebo) to identify clinical features induced by chronoaging or photoaging. Product efficacy was evaluated after 60 days of treatment in terms of in vivo and in situ skin hydration, elasticity, and skin roughness levels, systemic oxidative stress levels by plasmatic derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites and oxyadsorbent tests, and extent of the skin antioxidant pool.

Results: After 60 days of treatment, values for systemic oxidative stress, plasmatic antioxidant capacity, and skin antioxidant power had increased significantly. Additionally, skin moisturization and elasticity had improved, while skin roughness and depth of wrinkles had diminished. Intensity of age spots had significantly decreased, as evidenced by improvement in the individual typological angle.

Conclusion: Nutraceutical and pharmacological intervention with a supplement characterized by a specific blend of resveratrol and procyanidin may be a promising strategy to support treatments for the reduction of skin wrinkling, as well as reducing systemic and skin oxidative stress.

Keywords: antiaging; nutraceuticals; procyanidin; resveratrol supplementation; skin.

Figure 1

Antioxidant evaluation. (A) Derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites test (Carratelli units). (B) Oxyadsorbent test (mmol HClO/L) both as a function of time in days (dd). Notes: Data are reported as the mean ± standard error of the mean. Intergroup statistical analysis (active versus placebo) is reported inside the bars of the histogram. The lines report the intragroup statistical analysis (T60 vs T0). Statistical analysis is marked with (*) in increasing numbers depending on significance. Abbreviation: d-ROMs, derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites test.

Figure 2

Skin Antioxidant capacity: FRAP test- ( μmol Fe²⁺/L) as a function of time in days (dd). Notes: Data are reported as mean ± SEM. Intergroup statistical analysis (active vs placebo) is reported inside the bars of the histogram. The lines report the intragroup statistical analysis (T60 vs T0). Statistical analysis is marked with (*) in increasing numbers depending on significance. Abbreviation: FRAP test, ferric-reducing ability of plasma test.

Figure 3

Skin antiaging effect. (A) Skin moisturization (corneometric units). (B) Skin elasticity (R2 parameter) – (Ua/Uf ratio) both as a function of time in days (dd). Notes: Data are reported as the mean ± standard error of the mean. Intergroup statistical analysis (active versus placebo) is reported inside the bars of the histogram. The lines report the intragroup statistical analysis (T60 vs T0). Statistical analysis is marked with (*) in increasing numbers depending on significance.

Figure 4

Skin surface (μm). (A) Skin roughness. (B) Wrinkle depth, both as a function of time in days (dd). Notes: Data are reported as the mean ± standard error of the mean. Intergroup statistical analysis (active versus placebo) is reported inside the bars of the histogram. The lines report the intragroup statistical analysis (T60 vs T0). Statistical analysis is marked with (*) in increasing numbers depending on significance.

Figure 5

Intensity of brown spot: ITA° - grades (°) as a function of time in days (dd). Notes: Data are reported as the mean ± standard error of the mean. Intergroup statistical analysis (active versus placebo) is reported inside the bars of the histogram. The lines report the intragroup statistical analysis (T60 vs T0). Statistical analysis is marked with (*) in increasing numbers depending on significance.