A new amazing study taking Açai berry (Euterpe oleracea) to great lengths in terms of anti-aging, specifically, skin aging!! As we have stated in our previous article on "Acai Berry, The Natural Way to Slow Aging," we focused largely on ingestion and what Açai could do for us internally. This article is unique and speaks to what we have supported about Açai in our topical lotion brand, Infiniderm®, and how it can help slow the aging process of our skin.
Ultraviolet- A (UV-A) radiations are known to induce cellular oxidative stress, leading to premature skin aging. Consumption of açai fruit (Euterpe oleracea) is known to have many health benefits due to its high level of antioxidants. In this study, the investigators analyzed the ability of phenolic compounds extracted from this fruit to attenuate (reduce the force, effect, or value of) UV-A-induced oxidative stress in fibroblasts. A fibroblast is a type of cell that synthesizes the extracellular matrix and collagen, the structural framework (stroma) for animal tissues, and plays a critical role in wound healing. Fibroblasts are the most common cells of connective tissue in animals.
Reader beware, getting technical - hang with us as we get you through it.
A methanol/water Açai extract was fractionated by High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). HPLC is a technique in analytical chemistry used to separate, identify, and quantify each component in a mixture. HPLC and each fraction was tested for anti-oxidant stress activity.
Fibroblasts were pre-incubated with Açaifractions and then exposed to UV-A radiations. Açai extract was found to be able to strongly protect cells from oxidative stress. Interestingly, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, Glutathione (GSH) depletion, lipid peroxidation as well as no increase in the phosphorylation levels of proteins involved in the oxidative stress pathway was observed in cells pre-incubated with the extract and then irradiated by UV-A. Phew!
Glutathione (GSH) is an important antioxidant in plants, animals, fungi, and some bacteria and archaea. Glutathione is capable of preventing damage to important cellular components caused by reactive oxygen species such as free radicals, peroxides, lipid peroxides, and heavy metals.
What this means in English is that the cells were extremely protected by the UV-A radiation.
Mass spectrometry analyses of HPLC fractionated extracts led them to the identification of malvidin and cyanidin derivatives as the most active molecules able to counteract the negative effects induced by UV-A irradiation.
Their results indicate, for the first time, that Açai fruit is a valuable natural source for malvidin and cyanidin to be used as anti-stress molecules and represent good candidates for dietary intervention in the prevention of age related skin damage.
Amazing opportunity that we have with this little berry, already included in our Infiniderm® Daily Youth Lotion!!
References
1. Malvidin and cyanidin derivatives from açai fruit (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) counteract UV-A-induced oxidative stress in immortalized fibroblasts. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology. Volume 172, July 2017, Pages 42-51. (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1011134417302610?via%3Dihub.)