Tomato based supplement protects skin from UV damage and photo‐aging processes

The Mediterranean diet, and particularly tomato rich diet is linked to favorable effects on human health and beauty. The benefits of healthy diverse nutrition on various aspects of skin wellness have been the subject of on‐going research. In recent years the role of tomato carotenoids in the photo‐protection of human skin and their contribution to beauty parameters has been gaining attention. As UV damage is a major risk factor for skin health and a major contributor to skin aging processes, protecting human skin from UV damage is of great value. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of a supplement combining a carotenoid‐rich Tomato Nutrient Complex and Rosemary extract on cellular processes related to skin wellness and protection from UV damage Pre‐clinical study in human keratinocytes revealed that both the Tomato Nutrient complex and the Carnosic acid present in Rosemary extract are potent activators of the antioxidant defense mechanism (EpRE/ARE). Furthermore, a synergistic inhibition of pro‐inflammatory cellular processes was evident. For example‐we found a synergistic inhibition of UV‐induced IL‐6 secretion following UV treatment. Of note, the effect of the whole fruit extract, containing several tomato phytonutrients was better than lycopene as a standalone as measured in several models. To further explore the mechanism by which the Tomato Nutrient Complex can help reduce photo‐damage we evaluated its protective effect in a human clinical trial. We found that tomato phytonutrients regulated the expression of a few UV‐inducible genes serving as biomarkers to skin health (eg ICAM‐I, HO‐1, MMP‐1). Moreover, preliminary results from a follow up study suggest that a supplement designed as a response to the pre‐clinical study and combining Tomato Nutrient Complex and Rosemary extract was protective in reducing erythema intensity following UV exposure. In conclusion This study suggests that tomato phytonutrients, especially when combined with Rosemary extract possess favorable, synergistic effects on various aspects of skin health, supporting the body's own defense mechanisms and allowing the skin to better cope with environmental challenges that are reflected in both skin health and skin appearance. Support or Funding Information This study was founded by Lycored Ltd