Standardized Terminalia chebula Fruit Extract: A Natural Ingredient That Provides Long-Lasting Antioxidant Protection and Reverses Visible Signs of Pollution-Induced Skin Damage

Abstract

Background Identification of long-lasting natural antioxidants to protect against and repair skin damage induced by exposure to environmental pollution is in high demand. Objective To investigate a standardized Terminalia chebula (TC) fruit extract for its long-lasting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to reverse the visible signs of pollution-induced skin damage in an 8-week clinical study. Material and Methods Chemical and cell-based in vitro studies were performed to characterize long-lasting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties; a clinical study with subjects with normal to dry skin living in a high-pollution city for the previous 5 years was conducted to assess if a formulation containing 1% standardized TC fruit extract affected significant improvements in skin’s visible condition and appearance compared with its placebo. Results The standardized TC fruit extract provided longer-lasting and more efficient neutralization of reactive oxygen species (ROS) than tocopherol; treatment of keratinocytes with the fruit extract prior to being stressed with urban dust safeguarded against increases in intracellular ROS, inhibited release of inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8 and protected membrane lipids against peroxidation. A clinical study yielded statistically significant improvements in dermatologist scores and subject self-assessments for skin texture, hydration, tone, firmness and radiance as compared to its placebo. Conclusion These studies validate the use of this standardized TC fruit extract not only as a restorative to diminish visible signs of existing damage but also as a preventative to help defend skin against damages caused by chronic exposure to environmental pollution.

Preventative effects of antioxidants on changes in sebocytes, outer root sheath cells, and Cutibacterium acnes-pretreated mice by particulate matter: No significant difference among antioxidants

“…Nobile et al 35 assessed the effects of polyphenol-enriched dietary supplements against air pollution by directly measuring antioxidant capacity in the subject's saliva and skin in vivo. Randhawa et al 36 confirmed the beneficial effects of antioxidants from Terminalia chebula fruit extract on inflammatory cytokine production in a cell-based in vitro study and in a clinical study, applied the antioxidant directly to the subject's skin. Similarly, antioxidants from Deschampsia antartica extract and antioxidant serum were evaluated in vivo through direct skin treatment in clinical subjects.…”

Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Supplementation with Standardized Terminalia chebula Fruit Extracts Reduces Facial Sebum Excretion, Erythema, and Wrinkle Severity

“…The effects of TC were evaluated on the localization and abundance of filaggrin (FLG), aquaporin, (AQP9) and loricrin (LOR) in full-thickness human skin biopsies [ 17 ]. Also, TC is reported to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects [ 29 ] that can attenuate UVB damage and reverses pollution-induced skin damage [ 3 , 29 ]. This may be reflected in the improvement in the wrinkle severity and erythema measures in the TC group compared to the placebo group.…”

“…There has been growing interest in the use of TC for both the gut and the skin health. For example, non-standardized extracts of Terminalia chebula have demonstrated photoprotective properties [ 3 , 4 ]. Non-standardized TC has also been effectively formulated with retinol and niacinamide in topical lotions for anti-aging effects [ 5 ].…”

“…Non-standardized TC has also been effectively formulated with retinol and niacinamide in topical lotions for anti-aging effects [ 5 ]. A recent study with 1% lotion of standardized TC fruit extract has shown longer-lasting and more efficient neutralization of reactive oxygen species (ROS) than natural tocopherol; treatment of keratinocytes with TC prior to being stressed with urban dust safeguarded against increases in intracellular ROS, inhibited release of inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8, and protected membrane lipids against peroxidation [ 3 ]. A clinical study further demonstrated statistically significant improvements in dermatologist scores and subject self-assessments for skin texture, hydration, tone, firmness, and radiance as compared to placebo [ 3 ].…”

Formulation and Evaluation of Body Scrub Cream Containing Ethanol Extract of Black Cumin Seeds (Nigella sativa L.) and Coffee Grounds (Coffea arabica L.) as Anti-aging

“…The process of skin damage is characterized by the appearance of wrinkles, scales, dryness, and cracks. One of the things that cause skin damage is free radicals [3].…”