Natural Arctium lappa fruit extract improves the clinical signs of aging skin.
BACKGROUND
Subclinical, chronic tissue inflammation involving the generation of cytokines (e.g., interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha) might contribute to the cutaneous aging process.


OBJECTIVE
This study aims to screen for an active ingredient with anti-inflammatory (i.e., reduction of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha) and matrix-stimulating efficacy which improves the clinical signs of skin aging in vivo.


METHODS
In vitro studies with pure Arctiin were performed investigating the inhibition of cytokine induction and stimulation of collagen neo-synthesis. In vivo home-in-use studies using an Arctium lappa fruit extract-containing formulation were carried out to determine procollagen and hyaluronan synthesis, hyaluronan synthase-2 gene expression, and reduction of wrinkle volume after treatment.


RESULTS
In vitro studies on human dermal fibroblasts and monocyte-derived dendritic cells supplemented with pure Arctiin showed relative to untreated control cells a stimulation of collagen synthesis and a decrease in interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha concentration, respectively. In addition, topical in vivo application of an A. lappa fruit extract-containing formulation for 12 weeks significantly stimulated procollagen synthesis and increased hyaluronan synthase-2 expression as well as hyaluronan levels compared to vehicle-treated control areas. Similarly, after a 4-week treatment with an A. lappa fruit extract-containing formulation, wrinkle volume in the crow's feet area was significantly reduced as compared to treatment with the vehicle.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data show that topical treatment with a natural A. lappa fruit extract significantly improves the metabolism of the dermal extracellular matrix and leads to a visible wrinkle reduction in vivo. In conclusion, A. lappa fruit extract represents a targeted means to regenerate dermal structures and, thus, offers an effective treatment option for mature skin.
Knott
Anja
A
Research & Development, Beiersdorf AG, Hamburg, Germany.
Reuschlein
Katja
K
Mielke
Heiko
H
Wensorra
Ursula
U
Mummert
Christopher
C
Koop
Urte
U
Kausch
Martina
M
Kolbe
Ludger
L
Peters
Nils
N
Stäb
Franz
F
Wenck
Horst
H
Gallinat
Stefan
S
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D031170:Arctium / Q000737:chemistry*; D002478:Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects; D003094:Collagen / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016207:Cytokines / Q000187:drug effects; D005145:Face; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000096:biosynthesis; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011347:Procollagen / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000187:drug effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000187:drug effects
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D015850:Interleukin-6; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011347:Procollagen; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D003094:Collagen