Polar lipids from wheat extract oil improve skin damages induced by aging: Evidence from a randomized, placebo‐controlled clinical trial in women and an ex vivo study on human skin explant

Abstract

Background Polar lipids from wheat (Triticum vulgare/aestivum) extract oil (WEO) are known to improve skin hydration. Aims These studies aimed to assess WEO benefits on the skin appearance of middle‐aged women. Methods A double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled clinical study was carried out on 64 healthy women, aged from 45 to 60 years, to investigate antiaging effects and benefits for the skin. The study lasted 20 weeks including 12 weeks of oral supplementation with WEO or placebo and 8 weeks of follow‐up. Wrinkles in the “crow's‐feet” area were evaluated by the Lemperle score. Skin hydration was measured using a corneometer, while roughness and radiance were determined by clinical scoring. Collagen content was quantified in human skin explants exposed to ultraviolet (UV) irradiations and treated with WEO or vehicle control. Results Compared to the placebo group, the Lemperle score was significantly reduced in the WEO group between W0 and W8 to reach a clinically significant 1 grade at W12. Facial hydration was significantly improved in the WEO group from W0 to W12, whereas leg hydration was significantly increased after 4 weeks and lasted throughout the supplementation period. Skin roughness and radiance were also significantly improved from W0 to W8 in the WEO group compared to placebo group. A higher collagen content was measured in the UV‐irradiated skin explants treated with WEO compared to the untreated ones. Conclusion These results confirmed the moisturizing effect of WEO and, for the first time, revealed its potential antiaging properties.

Aging-associated alterations in epidermal function and their clinical significance

“…For example, oral administration of either vitamin C or linoleic acid improved senile xerosis [125]. Likewise, orally-taken wheat extract oil increased stratum corneum hydration [126,127], while orally-taken milk, containing green tea extract, borage oil and vitamin E, improved epidermal permeability barrier [128]. Similarly, oral supplements of flaxseed and borage oil increased stratum corneum hydration, while decreasing transepidermal water loss rates in humans [129].…”

General Health Benefits and Pharmacological Activities of Triticum aestivum L.

“…They demonstrated the capability of a formulation containing 3.45% wheat bran extract and 0.05% tomato lycopene to reduce melasma size significantly from 6.59 ± 3.47 to 5.97 ± 3.83 with no recurrence observed one month after the end of the treatment. Furthermore, Boisnic et al [ 104 ] elucidated wheat extract oil containing polar lipids, the antiaging properties during a placebo-controlled clinical study on 64 healthy women. According to study results, the Lemperle score in the wheat extract oil group was significantly lower than in the placebo group, reaching a clinically significant 1 grade at W12.…”

Wheat Extract Oil (WEO) Attenuates UVB-Induced Photoaging via Collagen Synthesis in Human Keratinocytes and Hairless Mice

“…WEO is a source of phytoceramides, including glucosylceramides [24]. In recent clinical studies, participants consuming WEO have seen improvements in skin hydration and the appearance of wrinkles [24,30]. Despite this, an analysis of the underlying mechanism(s) through which WEO exerts its effects has not been reported previously.…”

“…In this study, procollagen type I decreased in response to UVB irradiation. Figure 2A shows this loss was prevented by the administration of WEO at all three concentrations (30,60, and 120 mg/kg/day) relative to the UVB-treated control group (p < 0.05). Continuous UVB exposure increased water evaporation in the control group compared with WEO-treated mice as expected (data not shown).…”

“…In this study, procollagen type I decreased in response to UVB irradiation. Figure 2A shows this loss was prevented by the administration of WEO at all three concentrations (30,60, and 120 mg/kg/day) relative to the UVB-treated control group (p < 0.05). HA may initially increase in the dermal layer in response to UVB exposure as a skin defense mechanism [27][28][29].…”