Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2014 Dec;31(6):351-5.
doi: 10.5114/pdia.2014.47117. Epub 2014 Dec 3.

Topical microemulsion containing Punica granatum extract: its control over skin erythema and melanin in healthy Asian subjects

Rashida Parveen  1 , Naveed Akhtar  1 , Tariq Mahmood  2
Affiliations

Topical microemulsion containing Punica granatum extract: its control over skin erythema and melanin in healthy Asian subjects

Rashida Parveen et al. Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 2014 Dec.

Abstract

Introduction: Punica granatum is apotent source of polyphenolic compounds with strong free radicals scavenging activity. The skin lightening effects of Punica granatum are assumed due to ellagic acid which acts by chelating copper at the active site of tyrosinase.

Aim: To explore a topical microemulsion (O/W) of pomegranate (Punica granatum) extract for its control on skin erythema and melanin.

Material and methods: Microemulsions were formulated using a polysorbate surfactant (Tween 80(®)) along with cosurfactant (propylene glycol) and were characterized regarding their stability. The placebo microemulsion (without extract) and the active microemulsion (containing Punica extract) were applied in a split face fashion by the volunteers (n = 11) for a period of 12 weeks. Skin erythema and melanin were measured at baseline and after every 15 days to determine any effect produced by these formulations.

Results: Active formulation showed a significant impact on skin erythema and melanin (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: This study reveals that a suitable topical formulation like microemulsion could employ the Punica granatum extract for conditions where elevated skin melanin and erythema have significantly prone skin physiology.

Keywords: Punica granatum extract; antioxidant; erythema; melanin; microemulsion.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Pseudo ternary phase diagram of surfactant mixture, oil and water (Smix 5: 1)
Figure 2
Figure 2
Percentage of changes in skin melanin after application of placebo
Figure 3
Figure 3
Percentage of changes in skin melanin after application of active formulation
Figure 4
Figure 4
Percentage of changes in skin erythema after application of placebo
Figure 5
Figure 5
Percentage of changes in skin erythema after application of active formulation
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

See all "Cited by" articles

References

    1. Stratigos AJ, Katsambas AD. Optimal management of recalcitrant disorders of hyperpigmentation in dark-skinned patients. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2004;5:161–8. - PubMed
    1. Mahmood T, Akhtar N, Manickam S, et al. Interfacial film stabilized W/O/W nano multiple emulsions loaded with green tea and lotus extracts: systematic characterization of physicochemical properties and shelf-storage stability. J Nanobiotechnol. 2014;12:20. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Yigit D, Yigit N, Mavi A, et al. Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of bitter and sweet apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) kernels. Braz J Med Biol Res. 2009;42:346–52. - PubMed
    1. Ephraim PL, Robert AN. Punica granatum (Pomegranate) and its potential for prevention and treatment of inflammation and cancer. J Ethnopharmacol. 2007;109:177–206. - PubMed
    1. Carl TT. Cosmeceuticals containing herbs: fact, fiction, and future. Dermatol Surg. 2005;31:873–80. - PubMed