A new preclinical study highlights the abilities of a beauty-from-within botanical-blend Zeropollution to shield skin from the adverse effects of city pollution, especially from free radical damage on a cellular level.
Formulated by nutraceutical company Monteloeder, a subsidiary of SuanNutra, Zeropollution harnesses a medley of botanical extracts that includes lemon verbena (Lippia citriodora), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), olive, (Olea europaea) and Japanese pagoda tree (Sophora japonica).
This patented multiherbal cosmeceutical has been crafted to synergistically strengthen the skin’s protective barrier against environmental insults through an “inside out” approach.
Positive outcomes were observed in both ex vivo human skin explants and in in vitro models using human epidermal cells exposed to pollutants, including heavy metals and diesel particles condensed into an urban dust.
These are the main components of “city pollution” particulates found in nearly every urban environment.
The outcomes revealed several mechanisms of action underlying the protective effect of Zeropollution, including marked reductions in lipid peroxidation induced by pollutants.
This encompasses reactive molecules generated by factors such as UV radiation, pollution, and other environmental stressors that can damage cells and tissues. By only the third day of the study, total inhibition of these molecules was observed.
The formula effectively suppressed the inflammatory response triggered by environmental pollution. Specifically, IL1-α inflammatory markers were reduced by almost 90%.
Zeropollution also significantly reduced pollutant-induced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human endothelial cells and lung tissue cells.
In this study, Zeropollution successfully counteracted the adverse effects of urban dust on the heart rate of zebra fish embryos.
Moreover, it demonstrated abilities to inhibit the overactivation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), another biological pathway of the pollutant stress response that causes inflammation and skin damage.
In a previous clinical trial on 100 women volunteers living in polluted urban zones, supplementation with Zeropollution was linked to increased skin elasticity and firmness, strengthened skin barrier function, and skin radiance. Antioxidant status measured was also improved.
The proprietary formula comprises a polyphenol-enriched herbal blend containing a diverse array of phytochemical compounds sourced from various botanicals. This design is inspired by extensive scientific literature advocating that the use of multiple antioxidants as opposed to a high dose of a single antioxidant could be more effective owed to their complementary or synergistic effects.
Zeropollution is built around the company’s prized lemon verbena ingredient, which stars in many of Monteloeder’s portfolio of branded botanical formulations.
The formula is standardised to several active compounds and quantified by HPLC-DAD analysis. These include hydroxytyrosol, verbascoside, oleuropein, rosemary diterpenes, and quercetin. All of which possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Zeropollution’s composition houses verbascosides derived from lemon verbena with a specific role in safeguarding pulmonary cells by enhancing the activity of antioxidant enzymes while inhibiting activity of inflammatory mediators and signalling pathways.
Zeropollution can be delivered in various formats, including “shots,” softgels, capsules, effervescent tablets, as well as in functional foods and beverages.
Designed to be taken internally, Zeropollution is tailored for all beauty-from-within applications, responding to consumer demand for holistic solutions that embrace the fusion of beauty, health and wellness.