The efficacy of a novel tomato extracts formulation on skin aging and pigmentation:A randomized,double-blind,parallel-controlled trial

Background:Oxidative stress is a significant factor in skin aging and pigmentation,which can be precipitated by various circumstances.Antioxidants and tyrosinase inhibitors,such as carotenoids,yeast extract(glutathione),sodium hyaluronate,astaxanthin,and niacin,can individually protect the skin against aging through distinct mechanisms.These mechanisms potentially enhance the skin barrier and improve signs of aging and pigmentation.However,the synergistic effects of these compounds,as found in a golden tomato extract formulation,have been scarcely explored.Objective:To evaluate the effects of an orally administered formulation on the skin aging and pigmentation.Material and Methods:In this study,a randomized,double-blind,parallel-controlled trial was conducted,utilizing the WONDERLAB?Tomato Niacinamide beverage.Out of all participants,62 volunteers completed the experiment and were included in the statistical analysis.Results:The results indicated that after eight weeks of consuming the research product,there were no significant changes in the skin indicators within the placebo group.In contrast,the treatment group receiving the sample formulation exhibited a 35.63%increase in stratum corneum hydration and a 29.39%reduction in transepidermal water loss(TEWL),suggesting enhanced skin hydration.Visual assessments revealed improvements in skin color and gloss index by 15.03%and 11.41%,respectively,in the treatment group.Furthermore,the skin gloss and individual typology angle(ITA)value increased by 18.59%and 6.36%,respectively,leading to a lighter skin tone.Significant enhancements were also observed in skin pigmentation,color uniformity,and redness.After eight weeks of intervention with the sample,blood levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and glutathione peroxidase(GPx)increased,while malondialdehyde(MDA)levels decreased.Conclusion:These findings confirm that continuous intake of the tomato extract formulation over eight weeks effectively improved the volunteers'skin whitening and hydration,and visibly brightened skin tone through an antioxidant mechanism.

Prospective study of probiotic supplementation results in immune stimulation and improvement of upper respiratory infection rate

The human gut microbiota is an important environmental factor for human health with evolutionarily conserved roles in immunity,metabolism,development,and behavior of the host.Probiotic organisms are claimed to offer several functional properties including stimulation of immune system.The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of a probiotic supplementation on adult volunteers who have contracted the common cold four or more times in the past year.This study is a single center,doubleblind,randomized,controlled,prospective trial.Subjects received a probiotic drink containing Lactobacillus paracasei(at least 3×10^7 colony forming units(CFU)ml^-1),Lactobacillus casei 431®(at least 3×10^7 CFU ml1)and Lactobacillus fermentium PCC®(at least 3×10^6 CFU ml^-1)or an identical placebo without probiotics for a 12-week study period.The consumption of probiotics significantly reduced the incidence of upper respiratory infection(p<0.023)and flu-like symptoms with an oral temperature higher than 38℃(p<0.034)as compared to the placebo group.Subjects that consumed probiotics demonstrated a significantly higher level of IFN-g in the serum(p<0.001)and sIgA in the gut(p<0.010)as compared to the placebo group and a significant higher level of serum IFN-g(p<0.001)and gut sIgA(p<0.001)as compared to their baseline test results.In contrast,there were no significant differences in the serum IL-4,IL-10,IgA,IgG or IgM between the probiotics and the placebo groups.Results of this study demonstrated that probiotics were safe and effective for fighting the common cold and influenza-like respiratory infections by boosting the immune system.