Administration of Apple Polyphenol Supplements for Skin Conditions in Healthy Women: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Abstract

This clinical study was performed to evaluate the effects of continuous apple polyphenol (AP) administration on facial skin conditions and pigmentation induced by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation in healthy women participants. Participants (n = 65, age 20-39 years) were randomized to receive tablets containing AP (300 or 600 mg/day) or placebo in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Continuous administration of AP for 12 weeks significantly prevented UV irradiation induced skin pigmentation (erythema value, melanin value, L value), although a dose-dependent relationship was not clearly observed. In contrast, no significant differences were detected between the groups with regard to water content and trans-epidermal water loss. Our study demonstrated that APs and their major active compounds, procyanidins, have several health benefits. Here, we report that continuous administration of AP for 12 weeks alleviated UV irradiation induced skin pigmentation, when compared with placebo, in healthy women.

Keywords: Apple polyphenols; UV irradiation; pigmentation; procyanidin; skin condition.

Figure 1

CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) diagram. AP: apple polyphenols.

Figure 2

Apple polyphenol (AP) administration prevents increase in the erythema value. (A) Changes in erythema value in the placebo and AP groups. (B) Representative imaging of an irradiated area in the placebo group (upper) and AP groups (middle and lower) at 1 week after UV irradiation. Data are shown as means ± standard deviation. Significant differences among the groups were determined using repeated-measures of two-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s multiple comparisons test (* p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01).

Figure 3

Apple polyphenol (AP) administration prevents increase in the melanin value. Changes in melanin value in the placebo and AP groups. Data are shown as means ± standard deviation. Significant differences among the groups were determined using repeated-measures of two-way ANOVA followed by the Dunnett’s multiple comparisons test (* p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01).

Figure 4

Apple polyphenol (AP) administration prevents decrease in the L value. Changes in L value in the placebo and AP groups. Data are shown as means ± standard deviation. Significant differences among the groups were determined using repeated-measures of two-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s multiple comparisons test (* p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01).