Effects of Isoflavones on the Skin of Postmenopausal Women: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Accorsi-Neto A, Haidar M, Simões R, Simões M, Soares-Jr J, Baracat E. Effects of isoflavones on the skin of postmenopausal women: a pilot study. Clinics. 2009;64(6):505-10. OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of isoflavones on the skin of postmenopausal women. DESIGN: A prospective study was performed with 30 postmenopausal women before and immediately after the end of treatment with 100 mg/day of an isoflavones-rich, concentrated soy extract for six months. A skin punch was performed in the gluteal region for sample collection before and immediately after the treatment program. Morphometric determination of epidermal thickness, the papillary index (wrinkling), and the amount of dermal elastic and collagen fibers was assessed. In addition, the number of blood vessels in the sample was also evaluated. The paired Student's t-test was used for statistical analysis (P ≤ 0.05). RESULTS: Isoflavone treatment resulted in a 9.46% increase in the thickness of the epidermis in 23 patients. In addition, the papillary index was reduced in 21 women. The papillary index was inversely proportional to skin wrinkling, i.e., there were a large number of papillae after treatment. The amount of collagen in the dermis was increased in 25 women (86.2%). In 22 women (75.8%) we observed that the number of elastic fibers increased. The number of dermal blood vessels was significantly increased in 21 women. CONCLUSION: Our data show that the use of a concentrated, isoflavone-rich soy extract during six consecutive months caused significant increases in epithelial thickness, the number of elastic and collagen fibers, as well as the blood vessels.

Genistein aglycone, a soy‐derived isoflavone, improves skin changes induced by ovariectomy in rats

“…Topical administration of oestrogen is also possible, but it needs to be administered by a skilled dermatologist given that concentration and application areas must be monitored to assess any adverse effects on the physiology of the skin. More emphasis has been placed on some natural compounds, particularly isoflavones, which have tissue‐specific oestrogen‐like actions without the undesirable side effects (Accorsi‐Neto et al ., 2009; Moraes et al ., 2009). Accordingly, the data presented in this study demonstrate for the first time that a relatively long‐term, systemic treatment with genistein shows comparable efficacy to oestrogen in reversing some molecular, histological and functional changes of the skin associated with ovariectomy and ageing in rodents.…”

“…Asians, who consume high levels of isoflavones in their diet, appear to show different skin damage compared with their Caucasian counterparts (Goh, 1990). A number of studies have included soy isoflavones alone or in combination with other agents and showed positive effects on skin appearance and composition (Skovgaard et al ., 2006; Draelos et al., 2007; Izumi et al ., 2007; Accorsi‐Neto et al ., 2009).…”

Review of Soybean Phytochemicals and Their Bioactive Properties Relevant for Skin Health

“…While many reports on the beneficial effects of soybean constituents on skin health have been published [60,61], the underlying mechanisms responsible and the precise physiological outcomes require further understanding. To date, a number of soybean constituents have been incorporated in cosmetic products that imbue functional properties such as skin whitening or anti-wrinkle activity.…”

The effects of natural S-equol supplementation on skin aging in postmenopausal women

“…These results indicate that the efficacious dose of natural S-equol on skin aging is EQL10, the same dose that is efficacious for menopausal symptoms and bone health. Accorsi-Neto et al 19 used skin biopsies to show that oral intake of a higher dose of isoflavone-rich soy extract (100 mg isoflavones/d) for 6 consecutive months in postmenopausal women significantly increased skin epithelial thickness and the number of elastic and collagen fibers. We did not perform histological assessments, but the effects of the natural S-equol supplement on wrinkles may be due to the same mechanism.…”

“…Previous studies have reported that oral intake of soy isoflavone improves skin aging in clinical trials. 19,20 However, only a few double-blind, placebo-controlled trials have been conducted in postmenopausal women who have low levels of serum estrogen. 21 Equol is a metabolite of daidzein and produced in the gastrointestinal tract by gut microflora.…”