Efficacy of a multifunctional plant complex in the treatment of the so‐called ‘cellulite’: clinical and instrumental evaluation

Abstract

'Cellulite' or more correctly oedemateous fibrosclerotic panniculopathy, or local lipodystrophy, is a common aesthetic problem for many women, visually characterized by the orange peel or dimpled look of the skin, mainly on the buttocks and thighs. The cause of cellulite is still a matter of debate. It is currently considered an endocrine-metabolic microcirculatory disorder that causes interstitial matrix alterations and structural changes in subcutaneous adipose tissue. The first step in cellulite treatment is stimulation of microcirculation and the removal of accumulated fluids and toxic elements. This can improve the interstitial matrix basal regulation, fibroblast activity and decrease interstitial oedema, with subsequent increase in lipolysis and a better oxygen and nutrition of the adipose tissue. In this paper are reported two trials aimed at evaluating clinically and instrumentally the effects of different orally administered multifunctional plant extracts-based formulations in the treatment of cellulite compared with a placebo.

Patent analysis: a look at the innovative nature of plant-based cosmetics

“…Both genera have considerable anti-melanogenic potential and might be an important source of active ingredients for cosmetics with whitening action of skin blemishes. 18,19 Shophora flavecens roots has anti-melanogenic activity due to kuraridin (1), …”

“…Contrariwise, there is a small reduction in the development of plant-based products to treat cellulite, despite recent reports describing plants as effective ingredients against several pathological steps involved in this pathogenesis. 14,18,19 The analysis of patent applications was also performed based on taxonomic classification of the plants used in the cosmetic formulations. The results showed that most plant-based patent applications in "Preparations for care of the skin" category are angiosperms (n=2004), followed by ginkgophyta (n=49) and gymnosperms (n=42).…”

Cellulite

“…Distante and colleagues have proved that plant extracts such as grape ( Vitis vinifera ), Ginkgo biloba , Asiatic centella, melilotus ( Melilotus of fi cinalis ), and fucus ( Fucus vesiculosus ) contained in orally administered medication show good bioavailability and are effective in improving all clinical signs and symptoms associated to cellulite [ 6 ] . The extract of fucus has an important effect on peripheral fat tissue.…”

“…Cellulite, also called as edematous fi brosclerotic panniculopathy and local or gynoid lipodystrophy [ 6 ] , is characterized by irregular relief alterations to the skin surface of the affected areas, giving orange peel, cottage cheese [ 31 ] , or mattress aspect ( Fig. 2.1 ).…”

Long‐wave infrared radiation reflected by compression stockings in the treatment of cellulite: a clinical double‐blind, randomized and controlled study

“…Thereby, many isolated or associated treatments have been proposed, such as balanced diet [20], regular physical activity [16], manual massage or with equipment [22,24,40,54,55], topical products of vegetable origin, such as caffeine [5,12,25,44], aminophylline-based cream [19], retinoids [52,53], creams with a combination of various substances such as caffeine, retinoid, among others [25,36,56,57], endermology [19,58], subcision [51], selective cryolysis [49], radiofrequency or RF [12,23,33,43,54,59], laser [21,60,61], focused ultrasound [62,63], laser lipolysis [21,50], light-emitting diode or LED-IR [16,23] and extracorporeal pulse activation therapy or EPAT or acoustic wave therapy or AWT or extracorporeal shock waves [35,37,47,48]. The RF is one of the most mentioned methods, but a recent review concluded that the results are modest and usually presented in non-randomized and uncontrolled studies, what makes it difficult to come to a conclusion about the real benefit for cellulite [59].…”