The Green Gold to Counteract Cellulite and Improve
Body Silhouette
Body imperfections are ‘evergreen aesthetic problems’ that affect both women and men of different ages. If cellulite is a ‘privilege’ almost exclusive to women, given the structure of their subcutaneous adipose tissue,1 sagging skin, loss of tone or love handles do not make distinctions, involving both genders.
Behind these imperfections there are several factors and causes such as inflammation, hormonal imbalances,2 diet, genetic predispositions, sedentary lifestyle. Counteracting body imperfections is often a challenge for consumers, because it requires an important effort.
Therefore, they look for multitarget products able to act as fast as they can. Bionap, since its foundation in 1997, is in line with this growing demand and produces cosmetic ingredients using by- products and co-products of the Mediterranean agro-alimentary industry.
In order to counteract cellulite-derived skin imperfections and to improve body silhouette, Bionap has developed Flavoslim, a sustainable ingredient obtained from bergamot juice.
Growers used to define bergamot as “green gold” not only for the green-yellow colour of the peel, but also because in the past even a small piece of land cultivated with bergamot fed a family. Several legends are told and passed through generations about the
mysterious origin of the ‘green gold’ of the Mediterranean.
The juice is rich in flavonoids, whose beneficial effects are widely reported in literature. Bergamot flavonoids are described as strong antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.3-4 As anti-inflammatories, they act at different levels.
In fact, they inhibit the metabolic route of arachidonic acid that lead to prostaglandins synthesis which are responsible for increased capillary permeability, inducing as a consequence, oedema.
Risitano et al. demonstrated that bergamot juice flavonoids inhibit the activation of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB) which is well-known to play a pivotal role in inflammatory response through the induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines (i.e. TNF- (, IL-6).5
A study conducted by Graziano et al., demonstrated the capability of bergamot flavonoids to remarkably reduce the over- expression of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) synthesis induced by pro-inflammatory mediators.
In fact, while a normal synthesis of GAGs leads to good levels of dermal hydration and turgor, an over-expression of these very hydrophilic molecules cause water retention (oedema), which is linked to tissue hypoxia, cellular changes, and worsening of cellulite’s appearance.6 Furthermore, bergamot flavonoids exert activities on adipose tissue,
inducing the breakdown of triglycerides (lipolysis) and reducing the adipogenesis and fat accumulation.
7
These scientific evidences encouraged Bionap to develop Flavoslim, an eco- friendly ingredient able to counteract the cutaneous orange-peel appearance and sagging skin, and to slim the silhouette.
Flavoslim INCI Name: Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Extract, Maltodextrin) is a preservative-free powdered extract, standardised in flavonoids (naringin, neoeriocitrin and neohesperidin - 8-10% HPLC) that belong to the category of flavanones glycosides.
The capability of Flavoslim to reduce inflammatory mediators related to the onset of oedema, to induce lipolysis and reduce fat storages have been already tested with in vitro models.
Therefore, the aim of the work presented hereafter was to clinically evaluate the action of Flavoslim (now referred to as ‘Citrus bergamia extract’) in counteracting the signs related to the cellulite and improving body silhouette.
A randomised, double-blind and placebo-controlled clinical evaluation was carried out on 20 female volunteers, aged 18 to 55, presenting mild to moderate cellulite-derived skin imperfections.
Enrolled panellists applied twice-daily a formula with Citrus bergamia extract at 1.5%, and a placebo formula (half-body application). The study lasted 8 weeks and product effects on skin were assessed after 14, 28 and 56 days.
Instrumental techniques were employed to assess the activity of the extract on microcirculation, on skin elasticity and on adipose tissue. Furthermore, slimming effects were evaluated through the measurements of thighs and arms contour.
Lipolytic Activity Of Citrus Bergamia Extract: Superficial Adipose Tissue (Sat) Thickness
Measurement
Sat Thickness on Hips: Results
After 56 days of treatment, active formula reduced the SAT thickness of 0.59 mm on average, whereas the placebo formula of 0.23 mm (p< 0.001). Bergamot juice extract increased the efficacy of the placebo formula of more than 156.5% on average.
Sat Thickness on Thighs: Results
After 56 days of treatment, the active formula caused a mean decrease of SAT thickness on thighs of 0.56 mm, whereas the mean value for the placebo formula was 0.19 mm (p< 0.01). The presence of Citrus bergamia extract in the formula increased the activity of about 195% on average.
Circumference Measurement: Results on Thighs
After 56 days, the mean decrease of thigh circumference is -0.48 cm in the active-treated thigh and -0.22 cm in the placebo-treated thigh (p< 0.05). Moreover, the formula with bergamot juice extract caused a reduction of thigh contour ranged from 0.4 and 1.6 cm in 60%of volunteers.
Sat Thickness on Hips: Results
Results after 56 days showed that the mean reduction of the SAT thickness was of 0.25 mm in the active-treated arms and 0.11 mm in the placebo-treated arms (p<0.05).
The maximum values were, respectively, -0.90 mm and -0.60 mm. The presence of the active extract in formula increased the mean activity of more than 127%.
Circumference Measurement: Results on Arms
After 56 days, the decrease of arm contour was on average -0.24 cm in the arms treated with Citrus bergamia extract and -0.070 cm for the placebo-treated arms (p<0.05). The mean reduction produced by the active formula was more than three times higher than the placebo one.
Conclusion
The formulation with Flavoslim at 1.5% caused a better thermal homogeneity than placebo, thus the active extract was capable of improving blood and lymphatic microcirculation.
The slimming properties of Flavoslim were highlighted with a decrease in thigh and arm circumference. Reduction of the girth is the result of the effect on oedema and on the fat layer and Flavoslim demonstrated to work on both sides, improving microcirculation and acting as a lipolytic agent.
It is noteworthy that significant results were obtained in just 14 days of treatment.
Furthermore, results highlighted the ability of Flavoslim to improve the skin elasticity at different levels. In fact, it strengthens skin firmness, increases the cutaneous ability to return to the basal state and, reducing water retention, increases dermal elasticity.
Therefore, Flavoslim is a suitable ingredient for cosmetic products aimed at improving the signs of cellulite and at perfecting body silhouette and tone. It can be used both in conventional and organic formulations since it is ECOCERT and COSMOS approved.
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
