Green Mandarin Extract Improves Skin Depth, Volume, Texture and UV-Induced Wrinkles

by | May 2, 2022 | Botanicals, Skin Health

Written by Taylor Woosley, Staff Writer. 12-week supplementation with 300 mg/day of putgyul extract improved skin elasticity, moisture levels, skin gloss, and firmness compared to control, offering a natural and safe approach to combat skin aging.

women's health skin healthThe skin is the largest organ of the body and is a front-line barrier of defense from foreign organisms 1. Skin aging is the result of both intrinsic factors, such as changes in immune functions and genetics, and extrinsic factors, such as environmental exposure 2. Constant exposure to internal and external stressors leads to degradation of barrier function, loss of moisture, elasticity, and sebum production 3. Furthermore, another major cause of aging is the overpopulation of oxidative stress through accumulated reactive oxygen species (ROS) 4.

Green mandarin extract, also known as putgyul extract (PTE), originates from unripe mandarin oranges that are touted for their robust nutritional properties. Green mandarin contains many biologically active compounds, including flavonoids, vitamin C, fiber, and phenolic acids 5. Putgyul extract has been previously researched for its ability to inhibit the degradation of collagen and cytokines that induce inflammatory responses 6. Additionally, PTE contains high levels of ceramides which play a crucial role in moisture levels and barrier function, while also promoting anti-inflammatory properties 7.

Ham et. al conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to examine the potential anti-aging properties of green mandarin (putgyul) extract. Participants (n=80) were included based on the following criteria: female, between age 40 and 60, with dry skin and periorbital wrinkles. Subjects were assigned to either the control group or the PTE group (300 mg/day) for 12 weeks. Participants attended 5 visits in total during the study: week 0 (randomization), week 3 (screening), week 4, week 8, and week 12. One of the primary efficacy endpoints was development of periorbital wrinkles which was measured using the device PRIMOSCR SF that analyzes wrinkle parameters. Photography of the entire face was achieved using VISIA® CR to visually evaluate periorbital wrinkles. Moisture levels were measured on the cheeks using Corneometer® CM 825 and skin gloss was evaluated with a Spectrophotometer® CM26dG. Measurements for these various devices were measured three times and the average was calculated. Three pictures of the face were taken at each visit to observe changes to the left, right, and overall portions of the face. Participants completed a questionnaire at weeks 4, 8, and 12 post-intake and discussed efficacy of supplementation on areas related to moisturization, increase in skin gloss, firmness, wrinkle reduction, and overall skin improvement. After 12 weeks of supplementation, the results are as follows:

  • A significant difference in the average depth of periorbital wrinkle analysis was noted between the changes in the PTE group compared to control (p = 0.011).
  • When comparing the control to the PTE group, significant changes were noted for volume of periorbital wrinkles (p = 0.009) and skin roughness (p = 0.004).
  • When observing results of the subject questionnaire, significant differences between time points were noted for time points in ‘skin became moist’ (p = 0.001), ‘skin became glossier’ (p=0.001), and ‘skin became firmer (p = 0.001).
  • Subjective survey results show that participants experienced firmer skin at week 8 (p=0.018) and at week 12 (p = 0.040).

Study results confirm the use of putgyul extract as a potential approach to combat aging effects of the skin. The various bioactive compounds of green mandarin, such as high levels of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory elements, offer a promising approach to protection of skin integrity. Further research should explore different dosage amounts of PTE to compare efficacy and should also include a larger and more diverse study group to observe any potential differences between various gender, age, and racial groups.

Source: Ham, Young-Min, Seon-A. Yoon, Hyejin Hyeon, Ho-Bong Hyun, Sung-Chun Kim, Boram Go, Yong-Hwan Jung, and Weon-Jong Yoon. “Clinical Evidence of Effects of Green Mandarin (Putgyul) Extract on Skin Aging: A Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.” Nutrients 14, no. 7 (2022): 1352.

© 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/).

Click here to read the full text study.

Posted May 2, 2022.

Taylor Woosley studied biology at Purdue University before becoming a 2016 graduate of Columbia College Chicago with a major in Writing. She currently resides in Glen Ellyn, IL.

References:

  1. Chung BY, Park SH, Yun SY, Yu DS, Lee YB. Astaxanthin Protects Ultraviolet B-Induced Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in Human Keratinocytes via Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway. Ann Dermatol. Apr 2022;34(2):125-131. doi:10.5021/ad.2022.34.2.125
  2. Zhang Y, Liu X, Wang J, et al. Analysis of Multi-Part Phenotypic Changes in Skin to Characterize the Trajectory of Skin Aging in Chinese Women. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2022;15:631-642. doi:10.2147/ccid.S349401
  3. Xu D, Li C, Zhao M. Theragra chalcogramma Hydrolysate, Rich in Gly-Leu-Pro-Ser-Tyr-Thr, Alleviates Photoaging via Modulating Deposition of Collagen Fibers and Restoration of Extracellular Components Matrix in SD Rats. Mar Drugs. Apr 1 2022;20(4)doi:10.3390/md20040252
  4. Lee HP, Kim DS, Park SH, et al. Antioxidant Capacity of Potentilla paradoxa Nutt. and Its Beneficial Effects Related to Anti-Aging in HaCaT and B16F10 Cells. Plants (Basel). Mar 24 2022;11(7)doi:10.3390/plants11070873
  5. Karthikeyan A, Kim HH, Preethi V, et al. Assessment of Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects of Citrus unshiu Peel (CUP) Flavonoids on LPS-Stimulated RAW 264.7 Cells. Plants (Basel). Oct 18 2021;10(10)doi:10.3390/plants10102209
  6. Choi SH, Choi SI, Jung TD, et al. Anti-Photoaging Effect of Jeju Putgyul (Unripe Citrus) Extracts on Human Dermal Fibroblasts and Ultraviolet B-induced Hairless Mouse Skin. Int J Mol Sci. Sep 25 2017;18(10)doi:10.3390/ijms18102052
  7. Kim C, Ji J, Ho Baek S, et al. Fermented dried Citrus unshiu peel extracts exert anti-inflammatory activities in LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages and improve skin moisturizing efficacy in immortalized human HaCaT keratinocytes. Pharm Biol. Dec 2019;57(1):392-402. doi:10.1080/13880209.2019.1621353