Pomegranate Extract Both Orally Ingested and Topically Applied to Augment the SP
- By:Pretty
The skin is the most environmentally-stressed organ in mammals, particularly in humans. Not only is the skin subjected to toxic chemicals and hostile environments, but it is also the only organ directly exposed to ultraviolet light (UVL) in the presence of oxygen (1). Lengthy exposure of the skin to UVL typically damages the skin, resulting in sunburn, photoaging and carcinogenesis.
Ultraviolet light exposure in the presence of oxygen results in the creation of free radicals. In the skin, these radicals frequently trigger the release of inflammatory mediators, commonly manifested as sun burn; cytoskeletal alterations, breaking down the collagen in the skin which may also result in structural DNA changes, such as DNA strand breaks and dimer formation (2). The body attempts to neutralize the free radicals generated by UV light through the use of antioxidants. Antioxidants are commonly found in two forms: enzymatic and non-enzymatic. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase are some of the natural enzymatic antioxidants used by the body. SOD accelerates the spontaneous reduction of superoxide free radicals into peroxides and oxygen. Catalase then further decomposes hydrogen peroxide and free organic hydroperoxides. Some non-enzymatic antioxidants, such as Vitamin E (tocopherol), Vitamin A (beta-carotene), and Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) have each been individually applied to assist the skin in scavenging free radicals and neutralizing the harmful effects of UV light (3). Conventional skin protection efforts typically attempt to either shield the skin from UV light to prevent the production of free radicals or provide additional agents capable of neutralizing the free radicals.
Topical applications are one attempt to help shield the skin from the sun’s harmful UV effects. These sunscreens often are water- or oil-based lotions or ointments that incorporate photo-protectant materials such as titanium and zinc oxide which protect by mechanically blocking the sun’s energy from reaching the surface of the skin. Although the most widely used form of protection against exposure to sunlight, these topical applications tend to suffer from several drawbacks. First, large amounts of photo-protective materials are usually incorporated into the topical applications, some of which have recently become suspected of having toxicity or otherwise being harmful under these conditions. Furthermore, the effectiveness of such topical applications is dependent upon a constant and uniform coverage of the skin, which is often difficult to obtain. Many individuals fail to use these topical sunscreens on a regular or continual basis, as is required under prolonged UV exposure. Finally, sunscreens and other topical applications do not consistently provide good protection for all types of ultraviolet light.
Various conventional supplements have attempted to boost the body’s natural antioxidant activity using vitamins, minerals, and herbs. Vitamin C, for example, is believed to reduce sun damage, and Vitamin E has been used topically as an anti-inflammatory agent and for protection of cells from UVL. Also, carotenoids may have usefulness as antioxidants, protecting against both free radicals and singlet oxygen, a highly reactive, diamagnetic excited state of dioxygen. Moreover, it is thought that minerals are typically needed to maintain the effectiveness of the body’s enzymatic antioxidants. Both copper and zinc are thought to be necessary in the proper functioning of SOD(4). Manganese is believed to be a cofactor in the mitochondrial form of SOD. Also, selenium is thought to be necessary for glutathione peroxidase activity, one of the enzymatic antioxidants found naturally in the body. Unfortunately, few experiments into the skin-protecting effects of these antioxidants have provided scientific or conclusive results.
In particular, a study that orally administered vitamin E supplements to participants and then tested their response to the sun found that Vitamin E did not mitigate the UV damage, despite the fact that the subjects were given thirteen times the recommended daily allowance (5). Furthermore, beta-carotene has been reported to have beneficial effects in some studies, but has had no effect in others. Finally, another study noted the photo-protective effect of the oral administration of butylated hydroxy toluene, but little effect was shown using Vitamin C or E.
Certain herbs have also been found helpful in protecting the skin from the sun’s harmful effects. Herb extracts such as burdock root, echinacea, yellow dock root and grape seed possessed detoxifying properties that have been individually applied to help the body eliminate harmful free radicals. Burdock root contains the active ingredient inulin, and is useful in treating cancerous skin conditions, as well as inflammation. Echinacoside and caffeoyl derivatives present in echinacea act as antioxidants, which protect the skin when applied topically (6). Yellow dock root contains the active constituent chrysarobin, which has been used in the treatment of chronic skin diseases, such as eczema, leprosy, psoriasis, and cancer (8). Potent bioflavanoids, known as oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs), are found in grape seeds. These OPCs are thought to be potent antioxidants possessing 20 times the antioxidant power of Vitamin C and 50 times the antioxidant power of Vitamin E. These herbs have been individually used both topically and orally to protect the skin from various afflictions.