Skin Research

In addition to the health support of the Enzogenol pine bark extract as a food or dietary supplement, there are several functional applications for topical use in personal care formulations.

These applications are based on skin cell culture studies demonstrating that Enzogenol:

• Penetrates the skin*
• Boosts the skin cells natural internal free radical defense*
• Stimulates skin cell growth*
• Protects the skin cells from external free radical damage*
• Protects skin cells from damaging UV radiation*
• Binds and protects collagen*

Rate of Enzogenol compound penetration through skin

Research has shown that the proanthocyanidin (PA) compounds in Enzogenol can penetrate the skin.* In this study a 1% Enzogenol solution (in 10% glycerin) was applied to the outside of a sample of rat skin; while the inside of the skin was in contact with a buffer solution. Liquid samples were taken periodically from the inside buffer and were assayed by HPLC for the presence of catechin and polymeric PAs that had penetrated across the skin.¹

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Growth stimulation in skin fibroblasts

Research has demonstrated that Enzogenol can stimulate skin cell growth.* Here human skin fibroblasts were incubated with Enzogenol added to the growth medium at 1 μg/ml. In comparison to untreated cells Enzogenol stimulated cell growth by up to 10%.¹

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Reduction of intracellular peroxide load in skin fibroblasts

Research on internal oxidative stress has shown that Enzogenol can protect skin cells from the free radicals that are produced internally through the normal skin metabolism.* In this study human skin fibroblasts were incubated without or with increasing concentrations of Enzogenol and the intracellular load of hydrogen peroxide produced by the cells was determined.²

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Protection of human skin tissue from UVA and UVB radiation

Research in the full thickness 3D human skin model (EpiDerm-FT) has shown that Enzogenol can protect human skin from the harmful effects of UVA and UVB exposure.*

In this study human skin tissue was treated with Enzogenol (10mg/ml or 30mg/ml) before irradiation with UVA (400mJ/cm²)  and UVB (1600mJ/cm²). The results showed that tissues treated with either dose of Enzogenol showed a complete
lack of inflammatory response demonstrating the strong protective effect of Enzogenol.³

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Protecting skin fibroblasts from UV radiation—minimising growth depression

Research shows that Enzogenol can protect skin cells from the harmful effects of UV-radiation.* Here human skin fibroblasts were treated with UV-radiation. UV led to growth depression of 28-52% in the controls, whereas the Enzogenol protected cells showed much lower growth depression of 8-29%.¹

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pH dependent absorption to PA of collagen type I and protection from collagenase

Proanthocyanidins bind to and stabilize collagen.* PAs, the main polyphenolic compounds that make up 80% of Enzogenol, can bind to and stabilize collagen, with the highest adsorption capacity between pH 4-7 covering the natural pH level of the skin (5.5-6.5). PA binding protects collagen from digestion/solubilization by collagenase.

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¹This research was carried out by Dr. Paul Davies of the Bioactivities Invesigation Group, Otago School of Medicine, Wellington, New Zealand.

²This research was carried out by the Henry Wellcome Laboratory for Clinical Biogerontology Research, School of Clinical Medical Sciences, University of Newcastle, UK.

³This research was carried out by agresearch, New Zealand. C`lient report CLR 14-40 ( FBP 45187) October 2014.

Ku, C. S. et al Chemosphere 67: 1618-1627; 2007.

Han, B. et al J Biomed Mater Res A 65A: 118-124; 2003.

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*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, Medsafe, TGA or other authorities. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.