Biochemical studies on a novel antioxidant from lemon oil and its biotechnological application in cosmetic dermatology.

It is generally accepted that lipid peroxides play an important role in the pathogenesis of free radical-induced cellular injury and that antioxidants such as glutathione, ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol are vital in cellular defense against endogenous and exogenous oxidants. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a natural compound, derived from lemon oil extract, in controlling free radical-induced lipid peroxidation and tissue damage in the skin. We provide evidence that a compound isolated from lemon oil, which we have called Lem1, is endowed with a strong antioxidant activity and that it is capable of inhibiting free radical-mediated reactions, evaluated by both in vitro and in vivo biochemical systems. The present study aims to give a preclinical perspective on the biochemical properties of Lem1, a natural compound, as well as to provide a better understanding of the endogenous antioxidant potential of skin and the real validity of a natural antioxidant biotechnology in the antiaging management of the skin.

An ex vivo biochemical model to study the antioxidant clinical properties of cosmetic products in human antiaging skin care.

It is generally accepted that lipid peroxides play an important role in the pathogenesis of free radical-induced cellular injury and that endogenous thiols are vital in cellular defense against oxidative stress. The purpose of this study was to investigate in cultured human skin fibroblasts the effect of oxidative stress on the synthesis of heat shock protein (HSP70) and on the sulfhydryl group content in the absence and presence of alpha-tocopherol as an antioxidant compound. The interesting observation emerging from this study was a marked increase in malonaldehyde and fluorescent peroxide levels associated with a significant thiol depletion and induction of HSP70 stress proteins observed in primary cultures of normal human skin fibroblasts subjected to heat shock or incubated with hydrogen peroxide. These changes were significantly reduced in the presence of alpha-tocopherol. Our findings suggest a correlation between the mechanisms of oxidative stress, antioxidants and HSP70 induction, which can be assessed to evaluate either the perturbation of skin oxidant/antioxidant balance or the protection afforded by antioxidant test compounds.

Oxidative stress and antioxidants at skin biosurface: a novel antioxidant from lemon oil capable of inhibiting oxidative damage to the skin.

Atmospheric pollutants are an important source of oxidative and nitrosative stress both to terrestrial plants and to animals. Skin, which has a highly differentiated and certainly complex organizational structure, is particularly vulnerable to free radical damage because of its contact with oxygen and with other environmental stimuli. Fruit and vegetables contain several classes of compounds that when ingested can potentially contribute to antioxidant defenses. In the present study we employed a novel gas chromatographic method to assess the antioxidant properties of a natural compound isolated from lemon oil, which we have called Lem1. We provide experimental evidence that Lem1 is endowed with a strong antioxidant activity and that it is capable of inhibiting free radical-mediated reactions, as evaluated in vitro and in vivo. The present study extends our previous findings and demonstrates that topical application of Lem1 in healthy volunteers significantly increases the antioxidative potential of skin biosurface, thus highlighting the effectiveness of a natural antioxidant biotechnology in the antiaging management of skin.