Ingested hyaluronan moisturizes dry skin

Abstract

Hyaluronan (HA) is present in many tissues of the body and is essential to maintain moistness in the skin tissues, which contain approximately half the body’s HA mass. Due to its viscosity and moisturizing effect, HA is widely distributed as a medicine, cosmetic, food, and, recently marketed in Japan as a popular dietary supplement to promote skin moisture. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study it was found that ingested HA increased skin moisture and improved treatment outcomes for patients with dry skin. HA is also reported to be absorbed by the body distributed, in part, to the skin. Ingested HA contributes to the increased synthesis of HA and promotes cell proliferation in fibroblasts. These effects show that ingestion of HA moisturizes the skin and is expected to improve the quality of life for people who suffer from dry skin. This review examines the moisturizing effects of dry skin by ingested HA and summarizes the series of mechanisms from absorption to pharmacological action.

Beneficial Effects of Oral Supplementation With Ovoderm on Human Skin Physiology: Two Pilot Studies

“…Another component of skin, also present in Ovoderm, that plays an important role in maintaining its structure and hydration is HA. Several studies have shown its efficacy as an oral supplement to promote skin moisture (Kawada et al, 2014). Other GAGs included in Ovoderm composition are glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, which have been extensively studied as dietary supplements for different purposes (Murad & Tabibian, 2001).…”

Effect of ultrasonic degradation of hyaluronic acid extracted from rooster comb on antioxidant and antiglycation activities

“…The United States of America, Canada, Italy and Belgium sell HA as a dietary supplement. These facts reveal that HA is widely used as a dietary supplement (Kawada et al 2014).…”

Hyaluronic acid–nimesulide conjugates as anticancer drugs against CD44-overexpressing HT-29 colorectal cancer in vitro and in vivo

“…[14][15][16] Hyaluronic acid (HA), which is composed of disaccharide repeats of d-glucuronic acid and N-acetyl-d-glucosamine, is a linear polysaccharide that binds specifically to cell surface receptors, such as CD44, RHAMM and ICAM-1, to activate a wide range of intracellular signals and regulate various cellular processes, including morphogenesis, wound healing, inflammation and pathologic conditions. [17][18][19] In addition, with its excellent hydrophilicity, high biocompatibility, nontoxic and nonirritant properties, HA is a favorable natural material for biomedical applications, such as cosmetics, 20 cell therapy, 21 tissue engineering 22 and drug delivery. [23][24][25] One of the advantages of using HA conjugation is that it improves the water solubility of hydrophobic drugs such as paclitaxel and curcumin [26][27][28] and provides the targeting ability for drug delivery system.…”