title: Effects of topical boswellic acid on photo and age-damaged skin: clinical, biophysical, and echographic evaluations in a double-blind, randomized, split-face study.
abstract: Boswellic acids (BAs) are pentacyclic triterpenes with strong anti-inflammatory activity; their most important source is the extract of the gum resin of Boswellia serrata, a tropical tree that grows in India and Africa. In the present randomized, double-blind, split-face, comparative study we have assessed efficacy, tolerability, and safety of a base cream containing 0.5 % BAs as compared to the same cream without these active ingredients in the treatment of clinical manifestations of photoaging of facial skin. Fifteen female volunteers were enrolled; they applied creams once daily for 30 days. At baseline, at the end of the treatment, and after a 2-month follow-up, clinical findings were assessed according to the Dover classification scale for photoaging and by biophysical and ecographic measurements. We registered a significant improvement of tactile roughness and fine lines in the half side of the face treated with BAs; noninvasive instrumental diagnostic investigations showed an improvement of elasticity, a decrease of sebum excretion, and a change of echographic parameters suggesting a reshaping of dermal tissue. The treatment was always well tolerated without adverse effects. The present findings seem to indicate that the topical application of BAs may represent a suitable treatment option for selected features of skin photoaging.
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Department, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy. ale.pedretti@alice.it
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pedretti
authors.forename: Rossana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Capezzera
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zane
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Facchinetti
authors.forename: Piergiacomo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Calzavara-Pinton
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000187:drug effects*; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D014315:Triterpenes; C054625:boswellic acid