Photoprotective and Antiaging Effects of a Standardized Red Orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) Extract in Asian and Caucasian Subjects: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Study

Abstract

The increase in solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) that reaches the Earth’s surface should make us reflect on the need to develop new approaches in protecting the skin from UVR exposure. The present study aims to evaluate the photoprotective and antiaging efficacy of a red orange extract (100 mg/day) in both Asian and Caucasian subjects. A randomized, double-blind, controlled study was carried out in 110 Asian and Caucasian subjects. Product efficacy was measured as follows: (1) the photoprotective effect was measured by the minimal erythema dose (MED) assessment; (2) the efficacy in decreasing the UVA+B-induced skin redness was measured by colorimetry; (3) the antioxidant efficacy was measured by the ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and the malondialdehyde (MDA) assay; and (4) skin moisturization, skin elasticity, skin radiance, the intensity of melanin staining, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and wrinkles were measured to assess the antiaging efficacy. The intake of the product for 56 days was effective in improving the skin reaction to UV exposure; in increasing the skin antioxidant capacity as well as in decreasing UVA-induced lipid peroxidation; in increasing the skin moisturization, skin elasticity, and skin radiance; and in decreasing TEWL, the intensity of melanin staining inside dark spots, and wrinkle depth. Our results suggest that the test product is effective in counteracting both the harmful effects of UVR exposure and aging signs.

Antioxidant Efficacy of a Standardized Red Orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) Extract in Elderly Subjects: A Randomized, Double Blind, Controlled Study

“…The antioxidant properties of the test product were demonstrated in previous in vitro and in vivo studies [ 11 , 14 , 32 ]. This study confirmed the well-known antioxidant efficacy of Citrus sinensis .…”

“…In previous in vitro studies on human keratinocytes, the extract showed anti-inflammatory efficacy [ 2 ], protection against UVB-induced damage [ 12 ], and antioxidant properties [ 40 ]. These results were confirmed by in vivo studies on humans in which the extract showed to be effective in reducing the oxidative stress in subjects exposed to air pollutants [ 11 ], in protecting the skin from the UVB-induced skin erythema [ 13 , 14 ], and in decreasing the photoaging clinical signs [ 14 , 41 ]. This study investigated the efficacy of a standardized Red Orange Complex extract (ROC TM , Bionap Srl, 95032 Piano Tavola Belpasso, CT, Italy) on elderly subjects, exploring more in detail the antioxidant efficacy and, preliminarily, the effect of the extract on the wellbeing and on the menopause symptoms of both male and female subjects, respectively.…”

“…The antioxidant efficacy of these phenolic compounds is well known and recognized [ 3 , 4 ]. Previous in vivo and in vitro studies have also reported that citrus flavonoids have anti-inflammatory properties [ 5 , 6 , 7 ], beneficial effects on metabolic syndrome [ 8 , 9 , 10 ], protect the skin from aging and photoaging [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ], can increase neuronal signaling [ 15 ], have neuroprotective effects [ 16 , 17 , 18 ], and cross the blood–brain barrier [ 19 ].…”

Protective effects of red orange (Citrus sinensis [L.] Osbeck [Rutaceae]) extract against UVA-B radiation-induced photoaging in Skh:HR-2 mice

“…Based on our previous clinical study results, 100 mg/day of ROC was defined as the effective anti-photoaging dosage. This was converted to a mice dose of 20, 40, or 80 mg/kg by the human equivalent dose [ 17 21 ]. Changes in BW and serum clinical parameters were measured to determine the toxicity of ROC ( Table 1 ).…”

“…In a previous study, red orange complex H extract (ROC) was administered to examine its protective effect against UVA-B-induced damage and was found to increase the scavenger activity, UVB protection, and anti-inflammatory properties by activating tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and NF-κB, and downregulating matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) content in vitro [ 16 ]. Furthermore, the results of several clinical studies have evidenced that ROC exerts photoprotective and anti-aging effects [ 17 ].…”