薬理と治療

Abstract

Objectives The placenta extract includes many active ingredients necessary to maintain homeostasis in the body and provides excellent materials for health and beauty. In this study, we examined the effects of porcine placental extract on human skin functions were investigated. Methods Twenty-three Japanese female subjects from 45 years old to 60 years old ingested the placenta extract powder-formulated food for 12 weeks, and the following results were obtained. The skin parameters at the same site on the left cheek were measured before a start, four weeks and 12 weeks later. Results Water content in the stratum corneum significantly increased at both 4 and 12 weeks compared to before ingestion of the test food(P<0.01). Changes in the index of skin viscoelasticity(R7)were significantly increased at both 4 and 12 weeks(P<0.01)compared to before ingestion of the test food. Brightness L* values were significantly higher at both 4 and 12 weeks compared to before ingestion of the test food(P<0.01). Red-coloured a* values were significantly lower at both 4 and 12 weeks compared to those before ingestion of the test food(P<0.01). Yellow-coloured b* values were significantly increased at both 4 and 12 weeks compared to before ingestion of the test food(P<0.01). There was a trend toward a decrease in the total number of wrinkles after 4 weeks compared to before ingestion of the test food and a significant decrease after 12 weeks(P<0.05). The visual judgment score of wrinkles was significantly reduced at both 4 and 12 weeks compared to before ingestion of the test food(P<0.01). Conclusion These results suggested that the skin parameters such as skin moisture content in the stratum corneum, skin elasticity, tone of the skin color, were improved by the intake of the placenta extract food and moreover the placenta extract food possessed the effects to make the fine wrinkle less noticeable.