Plant polyphenols have been found to be effective in preventing or reducing different skin alterations. A dietary approach based on these compounds could be a safe and effective method to slow down or prevent age-associated deterioration of skin appearance and function. In a previous study, a specific combination of four botanical extracts (pomegranate, sweet orange, herba Cistanche, and Centella asiatica) exhibited potential anti-aging effects in a dermal fibroblast cell model. The present study aims to clinically evaluate the safety and anti-aging efficacy of this new botanical ingredient (eternalyoung^®). To this end, a 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was carried out in 60 Caucasian women with evident signs of both chrono- and photoaging. Product efficacy was measured as follows: skin moisturization (corneometer), transepidermal water loss (tewameter), skin radiance, and color (spectrophotometer), skin elasticity and firmness (cutometer), skin roughness (image analysis), and skin thickness (ultrasound). Both intergroup and intragroup analysis proved that the daily intake of 225 mg of the active ingredient was enough to produce visible and structural improvements to the skin and to the signs of aging without any side effects. Statistically significant improvements compared to the placebo group were observed as early as 4 weeks regarding wrinkle depth, elasticity, firmness, skin thickness, skin moisturization, transepidermal water loss, and dark spots pigmentation. In addition, the subjects who consumed the blend reported better scores on the self-assessment questionnaires. Our results suggest that the intake of the test product can positively affect the appearance, barrier function, and skin density of aged skin after 12 weeks of treatment.

The current fast-moving, hectic lifestyle has increased the number of individuals worldwide with difficulties in managing stress, which in turn is also affecting their sleep quality. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to assess a natural plant-based dietary supplement comprised of lemon verbena (Lippia citriodora) extract, purified in phenylpropanoids, in alleviating stress and improving quality of sleep. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted for 8 weeks, followed by a 4-week washout period. Both validated questionnaires and functional tests were performed during the study, whereas questionnaires were used after the washout. As a result, the group taking the lemon verbena extract significantly reduced their perception of stress after 8 weeks, which was corroborated by a significant decrease in cortisol levels. After the washout period, the subjects reported to present even lower stress levels, due to the lasting effect of the ingredient. As for sleep quality, the subjects taking the supplement reported feeling better rested, with a stronger effect observed in women. Sleep tracking using a wearable device revealed that the supplement users improved their times in the deeper stages of sleep, specifically their percentage of time in deep sleep and REM. In conclusion, lemon verbena extract purified in phenylpropanoids is revealed as a natural solution to help individuals to improve their stress and sleep quality.

Consumer digital technology is rapidly evolving, allowing users to manage their health in a simple, non-invasive manner. However, there are few studies revealing if using digital technology as part of an intervention really has an impact in consumer health compared with traditional strategies. The objective of the current study is to compare two groups (MTB; n = 18, 46.1 ± 10.4 years and MTBAPP; n = 19, 45.3 ± 6.40 years) of overweight, prehypertensive individuals in losing weight and lowering their blood pressure. Both were provided with nutritionist-guided recommendations, a wearable tracking device and a dietary supplement that has previously been proven to help lose body weight and lower blood pressure. In addition, one of the groups (MTBAPP) used a mobile app specifically designed for the intervention. Blood pressure, body composition, triglyceride level, peak expiratory flow, forced expiratory volume in the first second and maximum oxygen volume were measured at different time points. In addition, participants were monitored with an activity bracelet throughout the intervention. As a result, both groups significantly lost body weight, while the group using the app additionally improved blood pressure levels and lowered fat mass. Furthermore, the app users significantly increased the number of daily steps and decreased sedentary time. In conclusion, the addition of a mobile app with daily reminders to follow healthy lifestyle recommendations increased physical activity and overall improved blood pressure and fat mass levels when compared with a group performing the same intervention but in absence of the mobile application.

Seventy-one healthy subjects with sleep disturbances participated in a randomized, double-blind controlled trial in which dietary supplementation with an extract of Aloysia citrodora (lemon verbena) (n = 33) or placebo (n = 38) was administered for 90 days. There were between-group differences in favor of the experimental group in the visual analogue scale (VAS) for sleep quality (6.5 ± 1.6 vs. 5.5 ± 2.1, p = 0.021) as well as in the overall score (5.8 ± 2.4, p = 0.008) and scores for sleep latency (1.6 ± 1.0 vs. 1.9 ± 0.7, p = 0.027) and sleep efficiency (84.5 ± 12.8 vs. 79.8 ± 13.6, p = 0.023) in the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Sleep-related variables (latency, efficiency, wakefulness after sleep onset, awakenings) assessed by actigraphy also showed better scores in the experimental group (p = 0.001). Plasma nocturnal melatonin levels also increased significantly in the experimental group (199.7 ± 135.3 vs. 174.7 ± 115.4 pg/mL, p = 0.048). Changes in anthropometric parameters and physical activity levels were not found. In summary, a dietary supplement of lemon verbena administered for 3 months was associated with a significant improvement in sleep quality as compared with placebo in a population of healthy subjects with sleep problems.

Skin exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) causes oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen degradation and can trigger erythema. While topical formulas protect the skin from UV damage, there is growing evidence that certain botanical ingredients taken orally may have an added benefit. This study evaluated the photoprotective, anti-photoaging, and anti-erythema efficacy of a combination of rosemary and grapefruit extract (Nutroxsun^®). Radical oxygen species (ROS) generation and interleukin production were determined in UV-irradiated keratinocytes (HaCaT). Also, collagen and elastin secretion and metalloproteinase (MMP-1 and MMP-3) content were assessed in UV-irradiated fibroblasts (NHDFs). Furthermore, a placebo-controlled, randomized, crossover study was conducted in 20 subjects (phototypes I to III) receiving two doses, 100 and 200 mg, of the ingredient. Skin redness (a* value, CIELab) after exposure to one minimal erythemal dose of UVR was assessed. As a result, the botanical blend significantly attenuated the UVR-induced reductions of procollagen I and elastin and lowered MMP-1 and MMP-3 protein secretion. Also, a reduction in ROS and proinflammatory interleukins (IL-1, IL-8, and IL-6) was observed. Finally, the botanical blend, at both doses, significantly reduced UV-induced erythema reaction from the first day of intake and accelerated recovery. These findings reinforce the potential of this ingredient as an effective dietary solution to protect the skin against UV-induced damage.

Environmental pollution is increasingly recognized as a significant contributor to skin and scalp damage. Oral supplementation with a specific blend of four standardized botanical extracts (Rosmarinus officinalis, Lippia citriodora, Olea europaea leaf, and Sophora japonica) has been previously demonstrated to enhance skin health in individuals exposed to high environmental stress. Thus, it might represent a convenient strategy to also improve their scalp health aspect, particularly in subjects with sensitive scalps. To support these effects, a 12-week double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was performed in 66 women working outdoors in urban areas with high particulate matter (PM) levels and taking 250 mg of the botanical blend daily. Product efficacy was measured as follows: skin antioxidant status (FRAP); skin and scalp moisturization (corneometer), transepidermal water loss (tewameter), and oiliness (sebumeter); skin radiance and colour (spectrophotometer), elasticity and firmness (cutometer) and wrinkle depth (image analysis); and scalp clinical evaluation. Despite constant exposure to increased levels of PM, the tested product positively influenced all monitored parameters compared to both baseline and the placebo-treated group, in as early as 4 weeks. At the end of the study, key improvements included increased skin FRAP (21.9%), moisturization (9.5%), radiance (24.9%) and reduced wrinkle depth (−16.5%), dark spot pigmentation (−26.2%), and skin oiliness (−19.3%). For the scalp, moisturization increased (14.1%), TEWL decreased (−13.8%), and sebum content reduced by 16.2%. Additionally, 71% of subjects with sensitive scalps experienced reduced redness. These findings highlight the extensive benefits of the ingredient, expanding its application beyond conventional skin treatments to also alleviate scalp issues.