Thursday, 12 June 2014

What have scientists found to fight the leading cause of skin aging - mitochondrial decay?

In our previous post, entitled “Theories of Aging”, we discussed how oxidative damage is regarded in the scientific community as the primary cause of aging, and how mitochondria play a significant role in this by being a major source of free radicals.

Now, scientists have made a breakthrough in fighting the leading cause of skin aging:
Schisandrins have been proven to effectively reverse mitochondrial decay.

A recap of our previous discussion 

Mitochondrial decay in aging refers to a
progressive disruption to mitochondrial
structural integrity and functional ability
over time. Consequently, cells experience
impaired energy production, a decline in
normal function, and accelerated free
radical generation. This is the
phenomenon of cellular aging, which
makes the cell more prone to apoptosis, or
programmed cell death – much like cell
suicide.

Skin aging - the signs of which are
commonly manifested in wrinkles, fine
lines, age spots, loss of suppleness, and
deterioration of skin tone – has been
proven to involve mitochondrial
dysfunction.

The mitochondria–free radical connection

Research has shown that mitochondria are a major source of free radicals. Deteriorating
mitochondria instigate a vicious cycle of exacerbated oxidative stress. Consistent with these
findings is the concept that “manipulating the signaling pathways that regulate cellular
antioxidant defense” and “controlling the intracellular levels of free radicals” is preferred over
“altering individual antioxidant components by extrinsic supplementation”.

In simpler terms, this means that it may be more effective to combat aging by treating the source
of free radical production rather than by “cleaning up” free radicals after they are generated. This
theory is supported by recent studies that have found that scavenging free radicals through the
supplementation of certain antioxidants could be ineffective or even harmful in the long run.i ii

The role of Schisandrin B in skin-related mitochondrial decay 

There has been a substantial amount of research on remedies to combat mitochondrial decay as
an effective means of mitigating the aging process. Particularly noteworthy is the research
conducted by Dr. Bruce Ames (UC Berkeley) and Dr. Tory Hagen (Oregon State University),
who investigated the effects of acetyl-L-carnitine and alpha-lipoic acid on improving the
functional capability of mitochondria.

Over the past few decades, the
pharmacological activities of Schisandrin B,
an active ingredient isolated from Fructus
Schisandrae (commonly known as the
Schisandra berry), have been studied
extensively. Research conducted at RK-Lab at the Hong Kong University of Science and
Technology have demonstrated the protective
effect of Schisandrin B on free radical-induced damage in various vital organs, including the
heart, liver, kidney, and brain.

Research has shown that Schisandrin B is able to simultaneously:

1. enhance mitochondrial functional ability, and
2. increase natural mitochondrial antioxidant capacity. These are clear indications that this natural compound is effective in mitigating further mitochondrial decay, successfully defeating
this leading cause of skin aging.

In addition, Schisandrin B has been proven to be able to induce the expression of heat shock
proteins, endogenous protein molecules essential in cellular protection against various stressful
stimuli. The expression of heat shock proteins is believed by many in the scientific community to
be another crucial biochemical mechanism for fighting aging.

The latest research 
Recent research has found a stereoisomer of Schisandrin B, (−)Schisandrin B, to be even more 
potent in enhancing mitochondrial functional ability and in boosting the innate antioxidant 
capacity of mitochondria.

(−)Schisandrin B protects cells against oxidative stress, thereby preventing disease and enabling a 
healthier and longer lifespan. Without (−)Schisandrin B, cells are vulnerable to oxidative stress. 
This results in the loss of structural and functional integrity and cyto c release, and ultimately 
leads to cell death.




Implications for anti-aging skincare 

The pharmacological properties of Schisandrin B and (−)Schisandrin B have significant implications for anti-aging skincare, since skin is the largest organ of the human body, and oxidative damage has been recognized as one of the major factors that contribute to skin aging. Wrinkles, fine line, age spots, sagginess, loss of radiance, and many other signs of skin aging are all attributed to oxidative damage. 
Studies at RK-Lab at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technologyiii have validated the
beneficial effects of Schisandrin B and (−)Schisandrin B on skin cells and skin tissues. 
Furthermore, topical formulations using Schisandrin B and (−)Schisandrin B have been clinically 
tested on human subjects with remarkable anti-aging results. 
Schisandrin B and (−)Schisandrin B are the key compounds in Glissandrin™, an active 
ingredient in anti-aging skincare consisting of natural compounds extracted from the Schisandra 
berry. This active ingredient has been incorporated into the most advanced anti-aging skincare 
products, now available from Glissandra™ Skincare Inc. 

As the first active ingredient to holistically: 
1. address mitochondrial decay, 
2. increase natural cellular antioxidant capability, and 
3. target other causes of aging, 
Glissandrin™ is a breakthrough in the anti-aging skincare industry. 

More information on mitochondrial decay and theories of aging can be found at these independent websites:
National Institutes of Health (http://www.nih.gov)
Natural Standard (http://www.naturalstandard.com)
iMortality in Randomized Trials of Antioxidant Supplements for Primary and Secondary Prevention - Systematic Review and Meta-analysis, Bjelakovic et al; Journal of the American Medical Association 2007; 297(8):842-857 (doi:10.1001/jama.297.8.842). 
iiVitamins in Aging, Health, and Longevity, David R Thomas; The Division of Geriatric Medicine, Saint Louis University Health Sciences Center, Saint Louis, MO, USA.
iiiThe Hong Kong University of Science and Technology was ranked 57th among 400 universities and no.3 in world’s top 100 Universities Under 50 by Times Higher Education.

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