A new product of multi‐plant extracts improved skin photoaging: An oral intake in vivo study

Abstract Background Besides the topical application of cosmetics, nutraceuticals represent a promising strategy for preventing skin photoaging and skin cancers. Methods To determine the effect of a new multi‐plant extracts product containing Cucumis melo extract, acerola extract, olive fruit, aloe vera gel, grape seed extract, and lycopene, a randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind clinical trial and an ultraviolet (UV)‐induced murine photoaging model were deployed. 55 healthy subjects aged 45–60 were enrolled and randomized to take the product or placebo orally for 12 weeks. Skin aging and whitening indexes were measured with non‐invasive techniques. 90 Balb/c mice aged 7–8 weeks were randomly divided into six groups: normal, UV, UV+vehicle, UV+different doses of the product (0.500 g/kg.BW, 0.250 g/kg.BW, 0.125 g/kg.BW, respectively). Except the normal group, mid‐dorsal regions were irradiated with UVA+UVB for 8 weeks. Factors of oxidative stress, tyrosinase, and histological analysis of the mid‐dorsal skin were determined. Results In the clinical trial, the TEWL, hydration, sebum, elasticity, and the L*, a*, melanin index change from baseline, ITA° were significantly improved in the experiment group. In the animal experiment, compared to the UV+vehicle group, UV+high dose group showed significantly lower malondialdehyde (MDA) and tyrosinase, but higher superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px). The UV+moderate dose group showed significant improvement of MDA and GSH‐Px, and the UV+low dose group only showed improvement of GSH‐Px. Histological photoaging manifestations were attenuated in the UV+high and moderate dose groups. Conclusions The multi‐plant extracts product improved skin photoaging possibly via antioxidant and anti‐tyrosinase ways.