Fermented pomegranate extracts protect against oxidative stress and aging of skin.

Background: Punica granatum (pomegranate) potentially ameliorates skin inflammation and pain, including herpetic stromal keratitis. Fermentation is a biotechnological technique that may naturally induce health benefits by producing antioxidants. However, the anti‐aging effect of fermented pomegranate extracts (FPE) on the skin is still unclear. Aim: This investigation evaluates the effects of fermented pomegranate as a functional supplement (FPE drink, FPE‐D) and a cosmetic ingredient (FPE serum, FPE‐S) in vitro and in vivo. Patients/Methods: The effects of FPE products for anti‐oxidation, anti‐tyrosinase, anti‐inflammation, and anti‐aging were examined. Forty subjects were randomly allocated to FPE‐D or placebo drink groups (50 ml of a FPE‐D /placebo drink daily for 8 weeks for each subject), and another 40 subjects were recruited to FPE‐S or placebo serum groups (about 3 ml of a FPE‐S /placebo serum daily and nightly/daily for 4 weeks for each subject) in a double‐blind study. Results: The effects of FPE products on the DPPH, ABTS+, and NO· free radical scavenging activities, their inhibiting of tyrosinase activity and their enhancement of the skin health of healthy subjects, were investigated. FPE‐D improved the moisture, brightness, elasticity, and collagen density of the skin of most subjects at 8 weeks relative to the baseline without treatment (p < 0.05). After 4 weeks of FPE‐S serum consumption, the moisture, brightness, elasticity, spots, UV spots, and collagen density of skin were slightly better than those at week 0 (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The daily consumption of fermented pomegranate extracts can protect the skin against oxidative stress and slow skin aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]