Herbal Blend Supplementation Improves Skin Health and Antioxidant Status in Post-Menopausal Women

by | Oct 20, 2023 | 2022, Antioxidants, Menopause, Skin Health, Women's Health

Written by Taylor Woosley, Staff Writer. 12-week once-daily consumption of a nutraceutical supplement containing Glycine max, Cimicifuga racemosa, Vitex agnus-castus, and Oenothera biennis extracts significantly improved skin elasticity (p < .0001) and smoothness (p < .0001), while also increasing glutathione levels (p = .0242). 

skin health - womenMenopause occurs naturally in most women between ages 45 and 52 years and is marked by changes in hormonal status and the cessation of the menstrual cycle1. The reduction in levels of reproductive hormones, particularly estrogen, causes symptoms that include changes to the metabolism, central nervous system, and skin2. Estrogen deprivation accelerates many of the skin changes often attributed to exogenous aging alone, including dryness, atrophy, fine wrinkling, and poor wound healing3.

Phytoestrogens represent a diverse group of plant-derived compounds that are structurally like the main endogenous estrogen hormone in women and are found in a variety of medicinal plants4. Plants such as black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemose), soybean (Glycine max), and evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) are phytoestrogens widely used for lessening menopausal and post-menopausal syndrome5. Additionally, chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus) has pharmacological evidence denoting its dopaminergic activity, closeness to opioid receptors, and ability to increase melatonin secretion, support its ability to reduce menopausal symptoms6.

Tumsutti et al. conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trial to analyze the effects of a commercial herbal blend formulation, Estosalus® (Glycine max, Cimicifuga racemosa, Vitex agnus-castus, and Oenothera biennis extracts) on skin-related menopause symptoms. Subject inclusion consisted of menopausal women (aged 45-60 years) with facial skin showing type II-III fine lines and wrinkles. 101 participants were randomized to either the Estosalus® group (n = 50) or placebo (n = 51) and were instructed to consume one soft gel before breakfast daily for 12 weeks, while keeping to their regular diet and lifestyle habits. The Estosalus® soft gel contained 7.5 g of soya bean, 520 mg of black cohosh, 400 mg of chasteberry, and 500 mg of evening primrose oil. The placebo group consumed a physically similar soft gel containing soybean oil.

A food record was utilized to assess diet and nutrient intake. Primary dermatological endpoint measures were conducted at baseline (week 0), week 6, and week 12. Secondary biochemical outcomes were assessed at baseline and week 12. Dermatological measures included skin elasticity (measured using a cutometer), skin tone (analyzed for melanin index), and skin radiance based on the gloss DSC parameter. Furthermore, a Corneometor was used to measure skin hydration on the left and right upper cheeks. A Visioscan was utilized to assess skin texture on the left and right outer corners of the eyes. Participants were also asked to self-evaluate their skin condition via a questionnaire at week 12. Fasted blood samples were obtained at baseline, week 6, and week 12 to analyze glutathione (GSH), malonyldialdehyde (MDA), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cr), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase to evaluate kidney and liver health status.

Repeated measures ANOVA with Bonferroni correction was utilized to compare groups with normal distributions, while the Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test was used for multiple comparisons of non-normal datasets. No significant differences between all participants were noted for age, weight, body mass index, body fat, blood pressure, kidney, or liver function markers (p > .999). Significant findings of the study are as follows:

  • At 6 weeks, subjects in the treatment group experienced significantly improved skin roughness (p = .018) compared to placebo.
  • At 12 weeks, the treatment group showed significant improvements in skin elasticity (p < .0001), roughness (p = .0001), smoothness (p < .0001), scaliness (p = .0052), and wrinkle density (p = .0098) compared to placebo.
  • No significant difference was noted in melanin index, gloss, hydration, and trans epidermal water loss between groups.
  • Compared to placebo, the treatment group had significant increases in GSH levels (p = .0242) and a decrease in the level of MDA (p < .0001) compared to placebo.

Results of the study show that 12-week consumption of a nutraceutical supplement significantly improved skin health, particularly regarding skin elasticity, roughness, and smoothness compared to the placebo group. Furthermore, it increased antioxidant levels and improved overall oxidative stress status. Study limitations include the lack of measuring phenolic metabolites via blood samples.

Source: Tumsutti, Pakagamon, Mart Maiprasert, Pansak Sugkraroek, Rungsima Wanitphakdeedecha, and Akkarach Bumrungpert. “Effects of a combination of botanical actives on skin health and antioxidant status in post‐menopausal women: a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial.” Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 21, no. 5 (2022): 2064-2072.

© 2021 The Authors. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC

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Posted October 19, 2023.

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. Johnson A, Roberts L, Elkins G. Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Menopause. J Evid Based Integr Med. Jan-Dec 2019;24:2515690×19829380. doi:10.1177/2515690×19829380
  2. Kendall AC, Pilkington SM, Wray JR, et al. Menopause induces changes to the stratum corneum ceramide profile, which are prevented by hormone replacement therapy. Sci Rep. Dec 15 2022;12(1):21715. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-26095-0
  3. Rzepecki AK, Murase JE, Juran R, Fabi SG, McLellan BN. Estrogen-deficient skin: The role of topical therapy. Int J Womens Dermatol. Jun 2019;5(2):85-90. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2019.01.001
  4. Tjeerdsma AM, van Hunsel F, van de Koppel S, Ekhart C, Vitalone A, Woerdenbag HJ. Analysis of Safety Concerns on Herbal Products with Assumed Phytoestrogenic Activity. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland). Aug 10 2023;16(8)doi:10.3390/ph16081137
  5. Mohapatra S, Mirza MA, Ahmad S, et al. Quality by Design Assisted Optimization and Risk Assessment of Black Cohosh Loaded Ethosomal Gel for Menopause: Investigating Different Formulation and Process Variables. Pharmaceutics. Jan 31 2023;15(2)doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics15020465
  6. Naseri R, Farnia V, Yazdchi K, Alikhani M, Basanj B, Salemi S. Comparison of Vitex agnus-castus Extracts with Placebo in Reducing Menopausal Symptoms: A Randomized Double-Blind Study. Korean J Fam Med. Nov 2019;40(6):362-367. doi:10.4082/kjfm.18.0067