ABSTRACT
CONTEXT: Coffee silverskin (CS), a food by-product of the coffee roasting industry, has been studied as an active ingredient for skin care products due to its high potential of antioxidant activity and low cytotoxicity. Another food waste used as ingredient with promising characteristics is obtained from Medicago sativa (MS), which antioxidants and isoflavones content is high. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate and characterize a new body formulation containing two food by-products extracts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Different parameters (such as pH, rheological behavior, color, antioxidant content and microbiological analysis) of a body cream formulation containing by-products (CSMS) and a formulation without extracts (F) were evaluated under a stability study during 180 days at different temperatures. Moreover, the in vitro cell toxicity and the in vivo skin safety and protective effects were also assessed. RESULTS: Formulation showed stable physical properties and antioxidant activity during 180 days of storage. In vitro toxicity was screened in two skin cell lines (fibroblasts and keratinocytes) and any toxicity was reported. The in vivo test carried out showed that, with respect to irritant effects, CSMS formulation can be regarded as safe for topical application and the skin hydratation improved after 30 days of its use. Also, considering the consumer acceptance, more than 90% of volunteers classified it as very pleasant. CONCLUSIONS: CSMS formulation is stable and safe for topical use as no adverse and/or side effects were observed during the application period of testing, improving skin protective properties.
Subject(s)
Antioxidants/administration & dosage , Antioxidants/chemistry , Plant Extracts/administration & dosage , Plant Extracts/chemistry , Skin Cream/administration & dosage , Skin Cream/chemistry , Skin/metabolism , Administration, Topical , Adult , Cell Line , Chemistry, Pharmaceutical/methods , Coffee/chemistry , Cosmetics/administration & dosage , Cosmetics/chemistry , Drug Stability , Female , Food , Humans , Male , Medicago sativa/chemistry , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Consumers nowadays are playing an active role in their health-care. A special case is the increasing number of women, who are reluctant to use exogenous hormone therapy for the treatment of menopausal symptoms and are looking for complementary therapies. However, food supplements are not clearly regulated in Europe. The EFSA has only recently begun to address the issues of botanical safety and purity regulation, leading to a variability of content, standardization, dosage, and purity of available products. In this study, isoflavones (puerarin, daidzin, genistin, daidzein, glycitein, genistein, formononetin, prunetin, and biochanin A) from food supplements (n = 15) for menopausal symptoms relief are evaluated and compared with the labelled information. Only four supplements complied with the recommendations made by the EC on the tolerable thresholds. The intestinal bioavailability of these compounds was investigated using Caco-2 cells. The apparent permeability coefficients of the selected isoflavonoids across the Caco-2 cells were affected by the isoflavone concentration and product matrix.
Subject(s)
Dietary Supplements/analysis , Enterocytes/metabolism , Intestinal Absorption , Isoflavones/analysis , Phytoestrogens/analysis , Absorption, Physiological , Australia , Caco-2 Cells , Cell Membrane Permeability , Dietary Supplements/economics , Dietary Supplements/standards , European Union , Female , Food Additives/adverse effects , Food Additives/analysis , Food Additives/chemistry , Food Inspection , Food Labeling , Guidelines as Topic , Humans , Isoflavones/chemistry , Isoflavones/metabolism , Molecular Structure , Osmolar Concentration , Phytoestrogens/chemistry , Phytoestrogens/metabolism , Phytoestrogens/standards , Postmenopause , Self Care , United StatesABSTRACT
Numerous studies in humans, animal models and cell lines have suggested the potential benefits from the consumption of green tea polyphenols, including prevention of cancer and heart diseases. However these potential effects have been strongly limited by green tea catechins low bioavailability, which hinders the development of therapeutic applications. In this review formulations that are being proposed for delivery of green tea catechins are discussed. New delivery systems are presented as valid alternatives to overcome the limitations such as green tea catechins poor stability or intestinal absorption.