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Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Effects of Astaxanthin on Human Skin Ageing.

  • 2021-08-24
  • Nutrients 13(9)
    • Xiangyu Zhou
    • Qingming Cao
    • Caroline Orfila
    • Jian Zhao
    • Lin Zhang

Study Design

Type
Meta-Analysis
Methods
Comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science found a total of eleven studies. Nine randomised, controlled human studies assessed oral ASX effects and two open-label, prospective studies evaluated topical, oral-topical ASX effects on skin ageing. GetData Graph Digitizer was used to extract mean values and standard deviations of baseline and endpoint, and Cochrane Collaboration's tool assessed RoB for all included studies. Review Manager 5.4 was used to conduct meta-analysis of RCTs.
  • Rigorous Journal

Context

Astaxanthin (ASX), a xanthophyll carotenoid derived from microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis, mitigating skin photoaging and age-related skin diseases by its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in animal studies.

Objective

The aim was to systematically evaluate if ASX applications have anti-ageing effects in humans.

Methods

A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science found a total of eleven studies. Nine randomised, controlled human studies assessed oral ASX effects and two open-label, prospective studies evaluated topical, oral-topical ASX effects on skin ageing. GetData Graph Digitizer was used to extract mean values and standard deviations of baseline and endpoint, and Cochrane Collaboration's tool assessed RoB for all included studies. Review Manager 5.4 was used to conduct meta-analysis of RCTs; the results were reported as effect size ± 95% confidence interval.

Results

Oral ASX supplementation significantly restored moisture content (SMD = 0.53; 95% CI = 0.05, 1.01; I2 = 52%; p = 0.03) and improved elasticity (SMD = 0.77; 95% CI = 0.19, 1.35; I2 = 75%; p = 0.009) but did not significantly decrease wrinkle depth (SMD = -0.26; 95% CI = -0.58, 0.06; I2 = 0%; p = 0.11) compared to placebo. Open-label, prospective studies suggested slightly protective effects of topical and oral-topical ASX applications on skin ageing.

Conclusions

Ingestion and/or topical usages of ASX may be effective in reducing skin ageing and have promising cosmetical potential, as it improves moisture content and elasticity and reduces wrinkles.

Research Insights

  • Astaxanthin→Improved Elasticity

    and improved elasticity (SMD = 0.77; 95% CI = 0.19, 1.35; I² = 75%; p = 0.009)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
  • Astaxanthin→Improved Moisture Content

    Oral ASX supplementation significantly restored moisture content (SMD = 0.53; 95% CI = 0.05, 1.01; I² = 52%; p = 0.03)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
  • Astaxanthin→Reduced Wrinkle Depth

    but did not significantly decrease wrinkle depth (SMD = -0.26; 95% CI = -0.58, 0.06; I² = 0%; p = 0.11) compared to placebo

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
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