Wrinkle reduction using a Sasang constitutional medicine-based topical herbal cream in So-eum subjects: A split-face randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study

Abstract

Background Skin aging is caused by exogenous and endogenous factors and is commonly manifested as wrinkling, sagging, and looseness of the skin. The herbal extract including Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Atractylodes chinensis (Bunge) Kodiz, Curcuma longa L., and Cinnamomum cassia (L.) J.Presl (ZACC extract), is widely used for So-eum (SE) Sasang constitutional type individuals. This study aimed to examine the protective effects of the ZACC extract against skin aging in 21 SE type subjects. Methods The safety and clinical efficacy of herbal cream were evaluated after application on human skin in a split-face randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The Sasang Constitution Analysis Tool (SCAT) was used to select 21 SE type subjects, who applied herbal cream and placebo cream for 12 weeks. Visual assessment, wrinkle parameters, questionnaires, and skin safety were evaluated. Results The visual assessment score was decreased by using of the herbal cream, but there were no significant differences between groups. Among the wrinkle parameters, R1 (skin roughness) and R4 (smoothness depth) values were significantly improved after the application of the herbal cream compared to those observed after application of the placebo cream for 12 weeks. No significant differences were observed in evaluation of the product efficacy and usability by questionnaires. There were no adverse dermatologic reactions in the SE type subjects during the evaluation period. Conclusion The ZACC herbal cream may be used to prevent or slow skin aging, including wrinkle formation, in SE type individuals.

The Safety and Efficacy of 1-Monoeicosapentaenoin Isolated from the Trebouxiophyceae Micractinium on Anti-Wrinkle: A Split-Face Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study

“…The detailed methodology used in this study has been described earlier [ 19 , 20 , 21 ]. Briefly, we recruited over 20 volunteers who started or had already formed wrinkles and were aged between 30 and 65 years according to the guidelines for efficacy evaluation of functional cosmetics established by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) in Korea.…”

“…The preparation of base of the cream is as described in our previous report [ 21 ]. The cream containing 0.1% 1-MEST (test cream) and the cream without 1-MEST (placebo cream) was used in this study as the test and control groups, respectively.…”

“…Skin wrinkle parameters were assessed as described in our previous studies [ 19 , 20 , 21 ]. Briefly, to reflect the skin wrinkles of volunteers, SILFLO replicas were produced using a mixture of resin and catalyst after removing the hair around the test area.…”

“…The detailed method for evaluating the visual Assessment was described previously [ 19 , 20 , 21 ]. According to the MFDS guidelines, two investigators independently assessed the wrinkles around the participants’ eyes under constant lighting conditions (dayglow color, 820 lm, and 22 W).…”

“…A detailed method for evaluating self-questionnaires was reported earlier [ 19 , 20 , 21 ]. Briefly, the self-questionnaire evaluating the efficacy of test products was completed by all volunteers following each evaluation session.…”