Green Gold: Bergamot

Fighting Cellulite and Improving Body Silhouette with Green Gold: Bergamot Body imperfections are among the "timeless aesthetic concerns" affecting both women and men of different ages. While cellulite is often attributed solely to women when considering subcutaneous fat tissue, sagging skin, loss of tone, or excess fat around the waist area (love handles) are problems that affect both sexes without gender discrimination. Behind these imperfections lie many factors and causes, including inflammation, hormonal imbalances^2, nutrition, genetic predisposition, and sedentary lifestyle. Since addressing body imperfections requires significant effort, consumers typically seek multi-functional products that deliver results as quickly as possible. This is often a challenging task for consumers. Since its founding in 1997, Bionap has been producing cosmetic ingredients using products and by-products from the Mediterranean agricultural and food industry in line with this growing demand. To address skin imperfections caused by cellulite and improve body silhouette, Bionap has developed Flavoslim, a sustainable ingredient derived from bergamot juice. Growers defined bergamot not only for the green-yellow color of its peel, but also as "green gold" because in the past, even a small plot of land where bergamot was grown could feed a family. Many legends have been told and passed down through generations about the mysterious origins of the Mediterranean's "green gold." Bergamot juice is particularly rich in flavonoids, whose beneficial effects are widely reported in the literature. Bergamot flavonoids are described as potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. 3-4 As anti-inflammatory agents, these flavonoids work at different levels. In fact, they inhibit the metabolic pathway of arachidonic acid, which leads to increased capillary permeability and thus the synthesis of prostaglandins responsible for edema formation. Studies by Risitano and colleagues showed that flavonoids in bergamot juice inhibit the activation of NF-κB. Nuclear factor-kappa B plays an important role in the activation of pro-inflammatory cytokine precursors resulting from inflammation (i.e., TNF-α, IL-6). 5 Research conducted by Graziano and other investigators demonstrated that bergamot flavonoids have the ability to significantly reduce the excessive secretion of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) synthesis induced by pro-inflammatory agents. In fact, while normal synthesis of GAGs provides good levels of dermal hydration and turgor, the excessive release of these highly hydrophilic molecules leads to tissue hypoxia (inadequate oxygen delivery to cells), cellular changes, and water retention (edema) linked to worsened cellulite appearance. 6 Furthermore, bergamot flavonoids exhibit activity on adipose tissue, inducing the breakdown of triglycerides (lipolysis) and reducing adipogenesis and fat accumulation. 7 These scientific findings motivated Bionap to develop Flavoslim, an environmentally friendly ingredient that can counter the orange-peel appearance on skin and sagging skin while refining silhouette. Flavoslim INCI Name: Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Extract, Maltodextrin, is a powder extract without preservatives standardized in flavonoids belonging to the flavanone glycoside category (naringin, neoeriocitrin, and neohesperidin - 8–10% HPLC). Flavoslim's capacity to reduce inflammatory mediators related to edema onset, induce lipolysis, and reduce fat deposits was tested using in vitro models. Therefore, the objective of the study presented herein is to clinically evaluate the efficacy of Flavoslim (hereafter referred to as 'Citrus bergamia extract') against cellulite-related symptoms and in improving body silhouette. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical evaluation was conducted on 20 female volunteers aged 18 to 55 years with mild to moderate cellulite-related skin imperfections. Registered panelists applied a formulation containing 1.5% Citrus bergamia extract and a placebo formulation twice daily (half-body application). The study lasted 8 weeks, and the effects of the product on skin were evaluated at 14, 28, and 56 days. Instrumental techniques were used to evaluate the extract's activity on microcirculation, skin elasticity, and adipose tissue. Additionally, hip and arm contour measurements were examined to assess slimming effects.  

Lipolytic Activity of Citrus Bergamia Extract Superficial Adipose Tissue (SAT) Thickness Measurement

SAT Thickness on Buttocks: Results After 56 days of treatment, the active formulation reduced SAT thickness by an average of 0.59 mm, while the placebo formulation reduced it by 0.23 mm (p<0.001). The bergamot juice extract increased the efficacy of the placebo formulation by an average of more than 156.5%.   [caption id="attachment_150725" align="aligncenter"] Figure 2: Graph showing average change versus T0 at each control point for SAT thickness on the gluteus.[/caption] SAT Thickness on Thighs: Results After 56 days of treatment, the active formulation resulted in an average reduction of SAT thickness on the thighs of 0.56 mm, while for the placebo formulation the average value was 0.19 mm (p<0.01). The presence of Citrus bergamia extract in the formulation increased activity by approximately 195% on average. [caption id="attachment_150726" align="aligncenter"] Figure 3: Graph showing average change versus T0 at each control point for SAT thickness on the thighs.[/caption] Perimeter Measurement: Results on Thighs After 56 days, the average reduction in thigh perimeter on the thigh treated with active formulation was −0.48 cm and on the thigh treated with placebo was −0.22 cm (p<0.05). Furthermore, the formulation with bergamot juice extract resulted in a reduction of 0.4 to 1.6 cm in thigh contour in 60% of volunteers. [caption id="attachment_150727" align="aligncenter"] Figure 4: Graph showing average change versus T0 at each control point for SAT thickness on the buttocks.[/caption] Results after 56 days showed that the average reduction in SAT thickness on arms treated with active formulation was 0.25 mm and on arms treated with placebo was 0.11 mm (p<0.05). Maximum values were −0.90 mm and −0.60 mm, respectively. The presence of the active extract in the formulation increased average activity by more than 127%. Perimeter Measurement: Results on Arms After 56 days, there was an average reduction of −0.24 cm in arm contour on arms treated with Citrus bergamia extract and −0.070 cm on arms treated with placebo (p<0.05). The average reduction produced by the active formulation was three times greater than placebo. [caption id="attachment_150728" align="aligncenter"] Figure 5: Graph showing average change versus T0 at each control point for SAT thickness on the buttocks.[/caption]

Conclusions

The formulation containing 1.5% Flavoslim resulted in better thermal homogeneity compared to placebo, thus the active extract was able to improve blood and lymphatic microcirculation. The slimming properties of Flavoslim were highlighted by a reduction in thigh and arm perimeter. The reduction in perimeter is a consequence of the effect on edema and fat layer, and it has been proven that Flavoslim works on both fronts, improves microcirculation, and acts as a lipolytic agent. The significant results obtained in just 14 days of treatment are noteworthy. Furthermore, the results highlighted Flavoslim's ability to improve skin elasticity at different levels. It demonstrated significant efficacy in reinforcing skin firmness, increasing the skin's ability to return to its basal state, and increasing dermal elasticity by reducing water retention. Therefore, Flavoslim is a suitable ingredient for cosmetic products aimed at improving cellulite symptoms, perfecting body silhouette and tone. As it is ECOCERT and COSMOS certified, it can be used in both conventional and organic formulations. References 1 Terranova F, et al. Cellulite: nature and aetiopathogenesis. International Journal Of Cosmetic Science 2006; 28: 157-167 2 Leszko M. Cellulite in menopause. Prz Menopauzalny 2014; 13(5): 298-304 3 Benavente-Garcia O, Castillo J. Update on uses and properties of citrus flavonoids: new findings in anticancer, cardiovascular, and anti- inflammatory activity. J. Agric. Food Chem. 2008; 56: 6185–6205. 4 Ferlazzo N et al. Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Citrus bergamia Derivatives: Where Do We Stand? Molecules 2016; 21: 1273; 5 Risitano R, et al. Flavonoid Fraction of Bergamot Juice Reduces LPS Induced Inflammatory Response through SIRT1- Mediated NF-kB Inhibition in THP-1 Monocytes. PLoS ONE 2014; 9: (9). 6 Graziano A, et al. Protective effects of an extract from Citrus bergamia against inflammatory injury in interferon-gamma and histamine exposed human keratinocytes. Life Sciences 90 2012; 968–974. 7 Chin-Lin HSU et al. Effects of Flavonoids and Phenolic Acids on the Inhibition of Adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes. J. Agric. Food Chem. 2007; 55: 8404–8410 Elvidar Akol Business Unit Manager Profen Life Sciences