title: Assessment of cubosomal alpha lipoic acid gel efficacy for the aging face: a single-blinded, placebo-controlled, right-left comparative clinical study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A poloxamer solution acting as a vehicle for the lipid base particulate system (cubosome dispersions) containing alpha lipoic acid (ALA) has achieved encouraging results in skin aging.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Evaluate the efficacy of 5% Cubosomal ALA as an anti-aging formulation.
  
  
  METHODS
  This single-blinded, placebo-controlled, comparative study was conducted on 20 females. Patients were instructed to apply a gel formulation containing the active ingredient over the right half of their face and a placebo gel on the left half twice daily for 6 months. Global aesthetic improvement scale (GAIS) was utilized as a measure of clinical progress. The thicknesses of the epidermis and dermis were assessed before and after treatment using an ultrasound biomicroscope.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The GAIS score assessment at 3 and 6 months showed a significantly greater improvement on the right sides in comparison with the left sides. At the end of the treatment period, the mean epidermal thickness significantly increased on the right side in comparison with the left side and the mean dermal thickness increased more on the right side in comparison with the left side; however, this difference was not significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  5% Cubosomal ALA is an effective and safe modality for improving aging face.
authors.affiliation: Dermatology department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: El-Komy
authors.affiliation: Dermatology department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Suzan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shalaby
authors.affiliation: Dermatology department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Rehab
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hegazy
authors.affiliation: Dermatology department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Rania
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3280-0796
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Abdel Hay
authors.affiliation: Pharmaceutical Technology department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Misr International University, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Saly
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sherif
authors.affiliation: Pharmaceutics department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Ehab
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bendas
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D020405:Dermis / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D004817:Epidermis / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D004954:Esthetics; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012060:Rejuvenation; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000187:drug effects*; D008063:Thioctic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D005782:Gels; D008063:Thioctic Acid
keywords: alpha lipoic acid; anti-aging; placebo; skin aging