Lumenato protects normal human dermal fibroblasts from neutrophil-induced collagen-3 damage in co-cultures

Research Progress in Skin Aging and Immunity

Skin aging is a complex process involving structural and functional changes and is characterized by a decrease in collagen content, reduced skin thickness, dryness, and the formation of wrinkles. This process is underpinned by multiple mechanisms including the free radical theory, inflammation theory, photoaging theory, and metabolic theory. The skin immune system, an indispensable part of the body's defense mechanism, comprises macrophages, lymphocytes, dendritic cells, and mast cells. These cells play a pivotal role in maintaining skin homeostasis and responding to injury or infection. As age advances, along with various internal and external environmental stimuli, skin immune cells may undergo senescence or accelerated aging, characterized by reduced cell division capability, increased mortality, changes in gene expression patterns and signaling pathways, and altered immune cell functions. These changes collectively impact the overall function of the immune system. This review summarizes the relationship between skin aging and immunity and explores the characteristics of skin aging, the composition and function of the skin immune system, the aging of immune cells, and the effects of these cells on immune function and skin aging. Immune dysfunction plays a significant role in skin aging, suggesting that immunoregulation may become one of the important strategies for the prevention and treatment of skin aging.

Effect of Lumenato a Tomato derived oral supplement on improving skin barrier strength

INTRODUCTION

Improvement of skin barrier strength could lead to healthy and youthful appearance. "Beauty inside-out" approach using nutraceuticals such as tomato derived carotenoids to support skin barrier strength could be of benefit to the ageing population.

METHOD

A panel of 60 female subjects were provided with the Lumenato capsules (containing carotenoids) or placebo capsules as nutritional supplements for 3 months. Skin health and barrier function were observed using evaporimeter which measures trans epidermal water loss (TEWL). Barrier strength was determined by study of the number of strippings required to disrupt skin barrier and barrier repair was observed in terms of TEWL a few hours after barrier disruption. Cutometer was used to observe skin firmness and elasticity. Measurements were obtained before treatment and after 4 and 12 weeks of use.

RESULTS

Results indicated a statistically significant improvement (p < 0.05) in skin barrier strength; a higher number of strippings were required to disrupt skin barrier after 12 weeks of supplement use. There was also a significant improvement in skin firmness and elasticity as observed with a cutometer.

CONCLUSION

Based on the confines and conditions of this study, oral supplementation with Lumenato resulted in significant improvement in skin barrier as well as skin firmness and elasticity.

Substance P&dimethyloxallyl glycine-loaded carboxymethyl chitosan/gelatin hydrogel for wound healing

Recent efforts have focused on preparing drug-loaded hydrogel for wound healing. In order to obtain an ideal hydrogel dressing for skin wound repair, a carboxymethyl chitosan-gelatin hydrogel was prepared for co-delivery of SP (substance P) and DMOG (dimethyloxallyl glycine) by a chemical cross-linking method using genipin as the cross-linking agent. The synthesized hydrogels have good biocompatibility and physicochemical properties due to the low toxicity of the hydrogel material. The three-dimensional network structure of the hydrogels supports cell migration and proliferation, and the combination of SP and DMOG drugs exhibited strong effects on cell proliferation. Moreover, the co-loaded drug hydrogels could significantly promote wound healing in vivo, and provide a potential hydrogel for wound healing.

Effect of Lumenato oral supplementation on plasma carotenoid levels and improvement of visual and experiential skin attributes

BACKGROUND

Cellular metabolism and exposure to solar irradiation result in generation of free radicals which are destructive and can lead to premature aging. Antioxidants and free radical scavengers such as carotenoids successfully protect from these free radicals by quenching and neutralizing them thereby strengthening skin barrier which leads to improved skin moisturization, desquamation, and a more youthful look. This study was designed to evaluate the consumer-perceived efficacy of an oral supplement (Lumenato™) containing a mix of tomato carotenoids and oil-soluble vitamins in improving skin appearance after 12 weeks of supplement use.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Plasma levels of phytoene, phytofluene, zeta-carotene, and lycopene were quantitated before and after 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-week administration of Lumenato by 24 healthy volunteers. Part II of the study addressed skin visual attributes as assessed by validated tools (questionnaires). A total of 60 females, aged 35 to 55 years, completed part II of the study. The subjects answered questionnaires pertaining to their assessment of skin appearance before and after 12 weeks of taking the supplement.

RESULTS

There was a significant increase (p < 0.001) in plasma levels of phytoene, phytofluene, and zeta-carotene after 1- to 4-week treatment with Lumenato. After 12 weeks of using the supplement, the score of different skin parameters was reported to significantly improve (p < 0.001). Improvement was recorded in skin elasticity, firmness, brightness, skin tone, reduction in dark spots and periorbital dark circles, skin hydration, texture and fine lines and wrinkles. A significant (p < 0.001) improvement in overall skin condition after using the supplement was observed. The subjects noticed statistically significant (p < 0.001) improvement in skin elasticity, firmness, brightness, skin tone, reduction in dark spots and periorbital dark circles, skin hydration, texture and fine lines and wrinkles after 12 weeks of using the supplement. The overall skin condition also exhibited a significant improvement (p < 0.001). Self-assessed improvement of the face was identified at the first time point (4 weeks) and improved significantly (p < 0.001) for the 12 weeks of use. Interestingly, these improvements persisted even after treatment was stopped.

CONCLUSION

Based on the confines and conditions of this study, the use of oral supplement containing a mix of tomato carotenoids significantly increased plasma levels of phytoene, phytofluene, and zeta-carotene, and continuous use resulted in improved facial skin attributes which were palpable by the consumers and continued even after treatment was stopped.

Effects of golden tomato extract on skin appearance-outlook into gene expression in cultured dermal fibroblasts and on trans-epidermal water loss and skin barrier in human subjects

Scope

Two experiments were performed to test the effects of rich tomato extract (Golden Tomato Extract, GTE) on human skin. In one experiment, the effects of this extract on gene expression in cultured human dermal fibroblasts were examined. In a second experiment, human subjects consumed the extract and trans‐epidermal water loss (TEWL), and aspects of skin appearance were monitored.

Methods and results

Primary human dermal fibroblasts in culture were treated with the extract. After six hours, RNA was extracted, and gene expression was examined using Affymetrix Human Clariom D array processing. For the clinical study, 65 human subjects consumed a capsule once a day for 16 weeks, and various skin parameters were assessed at predetermined time intervals. Among the genes upregulated by GTE are genes that augment innate immunity, enhance DNA repair, and the ability to detoxify xenobiotics. GTE significantly reduced TEWL in subjects who had high TEWL at baseline, but it had no effect on TEWL in subjects who had lower TEWL at baseline.

Conclusions

Golden tomato extract may provide benefits to the skin by enhancing innate immunity and other defense mechanisms in the dermis and by providing antioxidants to the skin surface to optimize TEWL and the appearance of the skin.