Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of topically applied water-in-oil (w/o) emulsion of
H. rhamnoides
using standard R cutometer parameters.
Methods: A w/o emulsion of 1 % hydro-alcoholic extract of
H. rhamnoides (formulation) and placebo
control (base) were used in the study. Eleven healthy male volunteers with a mean age of 24.5 years
were selected after obtaining informed consent. The subjects were assigned to blindly use either the
formulation or the base for 7 consecutive weeks. The skin mechanical parameters determined with a
cutometer, were R0 (first maximum amplitude), R2 (gross-elasticity), R6 (viscoelasticity), R7 (biological
elasticity) and R8 (total recovery). In addition, the antioxidant activity of the formulation was evaluated
by 1, 1-diphenil-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method.
Results: Topical application of 1 % organic extract emulsion of
H. rhamnoides improved most of the
biomechanical parameters evaluated when compared to the base group (p < 0.05). However, skin
extensibility and firmness of the active formulation- and base-treated groups (R0) were not different (p <
0.01). Of note, a significant correlation between the active formulation and the improvement of the skin
mechanical parameters was observed. The active formulation was found to be superior than the placebo
control.
Conclusion: The topical antioxidant emulsion of
H. rhamnoides significantly improved skin
biomechanical parameters after 7 weeks of treatment. The data obtained suggest that
H. rhamnoides
could be an alternative pharmacological tool for treating age-related loss of skin elasticity.
