Effects of the Mixture of Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Pycnogenol and Evening Primrose Oil on the UV-Induced Pigmentation and Wrinkle Reductions in Human Skin

Solar UV radiation damages human skin by affecting skin tone and resiliency and leads to premature aging (photoaging). The skin damage is caused by the activation of the AP-1 transcription factor, which increases matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression and collagen degradation. An increase of interleukin (IL)-6 is also correlated with the activation of MMP-1 expression. β-thujaplicin has shown both acaricidal and antimicrobial activities. Also, β-thujaplicin has been shown to be protective against apoptosis due to the oxidative effects of UV irradiation. However, the effect of β-thujaplicin on UVB-induced MMPs had not been investigated. In this study, after UVB exposure, MMP-1 and IL-6 production in human skin fibroblasts was examined in the presence of β-thujaplicin, vitamin C, and vitamin E. The expression of MMP-1, MMP-3, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP-1, TIMP-3) and procollagen mRNA was also investigated. Results showed that UVB-induced MMP-1 production was suppressed by the β-thujaplicin treatment in a dose-dependent manner, but not by vitamin C and vitamin E. β-thujaplicin also prevented the up-regulation of MMP-1 and MMP-3 mRNA. Moreover, the UVB-suppressed procollagen gene expression was restored to normal by β-thujaplicin. Neither UVB nor β-thujaplicin affected the mRNA expression of TIMP-1 and TIMP-3. The IL-6 production induced by UVB was lower in β-thujaplicin treated fibroblasts than in the controls. In conclusion, this study shows the capability of β-thujaplicin in preventing MMP-1 production due to UVB irradiation via inhibition of MMP gene expression. Importantly, the UVB-suppressed procollagen gene expression can be restored to normal by β-thujaplicin. These findings indicate that β-thujaplicin is a promising and potent agent to inhibit UVB-induced MMP-1 and MMP-3 gene expression in skin fibroblasts.

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A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Efficacy of Evening Primrose Oil for Mastalgia Treatment

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18126295 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (12) ◽

pp. 6295

Author(s):

Lina Liana Ahmad Adni ◽

Mohd Noor Norhayati ◽

Ritzzaleena Rosli Mohd Rosli ◽

Juliawati Muhammad

Keyword(s):

Vitamin E ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Similar Efficacy ◽

Breast Pain ◽

Evening Primrose Oil ◽

Evening Primrose ◽

Number Of Patients ◽

Significant Impairment ◽

Mean Differences ◽

Topical Nsaids

Mastalgia, or breast pain, is common among women which can lead to significant impairment in daily living. Hence, finding an effective treatment that can alleviate the symptom is very important. Thus, we carry out this study to determine the efficacy of evening primrose oil (EPO) for mastalgia treatment in women. The review included published randomised clinical trials that evaluated EPO used for treating mastalgia against a placebo or other treatments, irrespective of the blinding procedure, publication status, or sample size. Two independent authors screened the titles and abstracts of the identified trials; full texts of relevant trials were evaluated for eligibility. Two reviewers independently extracted data on the methods, interventions, outcomes, and risk of bias. The random-effects model was used for estimating the risk ratios and mean differences with 95% confidence intervals. Thirteen trials with 1752 randomised patients were included. The results showed that EPO has no difference to reduce breast pain compared to topical NSAIDS, danazol, or vitamin E. The number of patients who achieved pain relief was no different compared to the placebo or other treatments. The EPO does not increase adverse events, such as nausea, abdominal bloating, headache or giddiness, increase weight gain, and altered taste compared to a placebo or other treatments. EPO is a safe medication with similar efficacy for pain control in women with mastalgia compared to a placebo, topical NSAIDS, danazol, or vitamin E.

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Evening Primrose Oil and Vitamin E in Mastalgia Which Is Better?

Journal of Medical Science And clinical Research ◽

10.18535/jmscr/v4i11.81 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 04 (11) ◽

pp. 13999-14003 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Natasha Thakur ◽

Keyword(s):

Vitamin E ◽

Evening Primrose Oil ◽

Evening Primrose

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Comparative study of effectiveness of vitamin E and evening primrose oil for pain relief in moderate cyclical mastalgia.

The Professional Medical Journal ◽

10.29309/tpmj/2019.26.08.3878 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 26 (08) ◽

pp. 1328-1332

Author(s):

Ramlah Ghazanfor ◽

Usman Qureshi ◽

Rafay Ghazanfer Adil ◽

Sara Malik ◽

Maham Tariq ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vitamin E ◽

Reproductive Age ◽

P Value ◽

Evening Primrose Oil ◽

Evening Primrose ◽

Pain Scores ◽

Lactating Females ◽

Group A ◽

Cyclical Mastalgia ◽

Group B

In breast clinics worldwide, cyclical mastalgia is the commonest presenting complaint among patients of reproductive age. Non-pharmacological options are preferred mode of treatment due to their better side effect profile. This study compares the effectiveness of two such non-pharmacological options i.e. Vitamin E and Evening Primrose Oil. Study Design: Randomized controlled single blinded trial. Setting: Surgical Unit 1 Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi. Period: Six months from July to Dec 2017. Materials and Methods: Observing all scientific and ethical protocols. All non-pregnant and non-lactating females of reproductive age were included in study. Two groups A and B, of 190 patients each, were made. Group A received Vitamin E capsules 400 mg once daily whereas group B received evening primrose oil 500 mg capsules twice daily. After six months, mean reduction in pain scores in both groups was calculated using a t-test (p-value < 0.05 was considered significant). Results: Total number of 380 female patients (190 in each group) were enrolled in study for a period of 6 months. Mean age was 30.00+16.54 years. Mean score at presentation was 5.69+0.08 in vitamin E group and 5.66+0.8 in EPO group. After 6 months, score was 3.70+1.5 in vitamin E group and 4.78+1.47 in EPO group, which was statistically significant (p value < 0.05). Conclusion: Vitamin E, when taken for 6 months, is more effective than evening primrose oil in reducing pain in moderate cyclical mastalgia.

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