Tolerability and hydrating effects of an anti-aging gynaecological collagen cream in women in menopause

Background and Aims: A gynaecological cream containing collagen, phytocollagen, hyaluronate and vitamins was investigated in women in menopause. Methods: The cream was daily applied to the vaginal mucosa and the perineal skin as well as to the abdominal skin (healthy skin used as control) for 1 week and then on alternate days for other 2 weeks. Skin hydration and viscoelasticity were measured at baseline and after 8 and 21 days by Corneometer? CM 825 and Cutometer? MPA 850, respectively. The product use comfort and the moisturising of the vaginal mucosa were evaluated by the volunteers through a questionnaire and a visual analogue scale, respectively. Results: The local tolerability was excellent for nearly all of the volunteers (90% - 95%) and according both to dermatologist’s and gynaecologist’s evaluation. Related adverse reactions had a frequency of 15% (10% vulvovaginal burning sensation and 5% vulvovaginal discomfort). The topical hydration increased both in the perineal and the abdominal skin. Hydration increase vs. baseline was more marked on day 8 than on day 21 and was significant in the abdominal skin (p-value < 0.0001). The vaginal moisturising improved significantly (p-value < 0.0001) both on day 8 and 21 vs. baseline. Small changes in the viscoelasticity parameters were observed in both the perineal and the abdominal skin. Few significant improvements were R1 and R8 decreases in the perineum and R0 increase in the abdomen. Conclusions: The tested cream represents a safe product with proven moisturising effect towards the vaginal mucosa when daily applied by menopausal women.

Tomato Seed Extract Containing Lycoperoside H Improves Skin Elasticity in Japanese Female Subjects: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Trial

Background and Objective: Tomato seeds are edible seeds unconsciously ingested with the fruit. However, there are few reports regarding the constituents and biological activities of tomato seed extract (TSE). Recently, we found that saponins are major constituents of TSE including lycoperoside H. Previous reports have described that several plant-derived saponins improve skin diseases such as wounds and microangiopathy. Therefore, to discover the effect of TSE on the skin condition, we conducted a clinical trial of TSE (Tomato Seed Extract-P) standardized with lycoperoside H when orally ingested. Methods: The study was performed as a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. TSE (200 mg daily) containing 1 mg of lycoperoside H was used as the active sample. We enrolled 44 Japanese women who have concerns about facial elasticity and relatively low facial skin elasticity. All subjects were randomly allocated into either the active group (n = 22) or the placebo group (n = 22) using a computerized random-number generator. Capsules containing either the active sample or a placebo were administered for 8 weeks between October 12, 2020, and January 16, 2021. Facial elasticity, specifically the R7 value, was evaluated as the primary outcome. The remaining facial R parameters, upper arm R parameters, and other skin parameters including epidermal moisture, trans epidermal water loss, dermal parameters, and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) parameters were measured at 0, 4, and 8 weeks of ingestion. Blood, urine, and body parameters were also evaluated for safety. Results: Forty-three subjects completed the trial, and the per protocol set comprised 21 subjects in the TSE group and 22 subjects in the placebo group. After ingesting TSE for 8 weeks, the R7 value was significantly higher in the TSE group compared to the placebo group. Furthermore, the change in R7 values from the baseline at 4 and 8 weeks were also higher in the TSE group. Among the secondary outcomes, facial elasticity parameters including R2, R5, R1, and R4 at 4 weeks and facial R5, R1, and R4 and upper arm R2 at 8 weeks were higher in the TSE group. In addition, plasma pentosidine significantly decreased in the TSE group after 8 weeks of ingestion. There were no significant differences in moisture, DermaLab® parameters and AGEs parameters except plasma pentosidine. Laboratory tests revealed no abnormalities suggesting adverse effects of TSE. Conclusions: TSE (200 mg/day) standardized with lycoperoside H improved the facial elasticity parameters. Thus, daily ingestion of TSE was suggested to be beneficial for maintaining the facial skin elasticity. However, the relationship between the reduction of pentosidine and skin elasticity by TSE ingestion should be clarified through further studies. Trial Registration: UMIN-CTR: UMIN000041881. Foundation: Oryza Oil & Fat Chemical Co., Ltd.

A systematic review of objective burn scar measurements

Background:Problematic scarring remains a challenging aspect to address in the treatment of burns and can significantly affect the quality of life of the burn survivor.At present,there are few treatments available in the clinic to control adverse scarring,but experimental pharmacological anti-scarring strategies are now beginning to emerge.Their comparative success must be based on objective measurements of scarring,yet currently the clinical assessment of scars is not carried out systematically and is mostly based on subjective review of patients.However,several techniques and devices are being introduced that allow objective analysis of the burn scar.The aim of this article is to evaluate various objective measurement tools currently available and recommend a useful panel that is suitable for use in clinical trials of anti-scarring therapies.Methods:A systematic literature search was done using the Web of Science,PubMed and Cochrane databases.The identified devices were then classified and grouped according to the parameters they measured.The tools were then compared and assessed in terms of inter-and intra-rater reproducibility,ease of use and cost.Results:After duplicates were removed,5062 articles were obtained in the search.After further screening,157 articles which utilised objective burn scar measurement systems or tools were obtained.The scar measurement devices can be broadly classified into those measuring colour,metric variables,texture,biomechanical properties and pathophysiological disturbances.Conclusions:Objective scar measurement tools allow the accurate and reproducible evaluation of scars,which is important for both clinical and scientific use.However,studies to evaluate their relative performance and merits of these tools are scarce,and there remain factors,such as itch and pain,which cannot be measured objectively.On reviewing the available evidence,a panel of devices for objective scar measurement is recommended consisting of the 3D cameras(Eykona/Lifeviz/Vectra H1)for surface area and volume,DSM I colorimeter for colour,Dermascan high-frequency ultrasound for scar thickness and Cutometer for skin elasticity and pliability.

Longitudinal monitoring and prediction of long-term outcome of scar stiffness on pediatric patients

Background:Hypertrophic scarring after burn injury is one of the greatest unmet challenges in patients with burn injuries.A better understanding of the characteristics of scar maturation and early prediction of the long-term outcome of scarring are prerequisites for improving targeted therapies and pivotal for patient counselling.Methods:Repeated measurements of scar stiffness in 11 pediatric patients were performed over the course of 1 year using 2 suction devices,the Cutometer and the Nimble.In addition,the observer pliability score of the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale was applied.This longitudinal study allowed quantification of the ability of each of the measured parameters to reflect scar maturation,as indicated by change in skin pliability/stiffness,over time(using linear regression);the ability to distinguish individual patients(intraclass correlation coefficient(ICC));the correlation of the devices(Spearman correlation coefficient);and the ability to predict longterm scar maturation based on early scar assessment(using receiver operating characteristic).Results:All the tools used showed significant longitudinal decrease of scar stiffness from 3 months until 12 months after the injury.The Nimble(ICC_(patient)^(Nimble)=0.99)and the Cutometer(ICC_(patient)^(Cuto)=0.97)demonstrated an excellent ability to distinguish between individual patients.The Nimble seemed to be able to predict the 12-month pliability of scars based on early(3-month)measurements(area under the curve(AUC)_(12m)^(POSAS)=0.67;AUC_(12m)^(C)=0.46;AUC_(12m)^(N)=0.79).Conclusions:The results of this preliminary study suggest that all 3 tools provide suitable means to quantify alterations in scar stiffness over time.Initial evidence suggests the Nimble is most favorable for predicting changes in stiffness associated with long-term scar maturation.Further studies with a larger sample size are required to validate tissue suction as a clinical tool for analysis of changes of scar stiffness over time.