“Clinical Profile of Spirulina on Skin Diseases-A Study in Tertiary care Hospital, Bangladesh”
Md. Khorshed Alam Mondal, Md. Razu Ahmed
Abstract
Introduction: Spirulina stands out as a sustainable bioactive microalga with health-promoting properties, and an important active ingredient of natural cosmetics products. Spirulina is a unicellular blue-green alga rich in vitamins, minerals, pigments, proteins, polysaccharides, which indicates a high potential use in anti-aging cosmetic products as well as for skin protection. Preliminary studies showed antioxidant potential, immediate benefits on the skin microrelief and hydration and skin compatibility of formulations containing Spirulina extract. Objective of this study: To assess the clinical profile of Spirulina on Skin Diseases-A Study In Tertiary care Hospital, Bangladesh. Methods: It is a descriptive study conducted at Dermatology and Venereology OPD in 250 bedded Mohammad Ali Hospital, Bogura and Rangpur Medical College Hospital, Rangpur, Bangladesh for the period from 1st January, 2020 to 31st December 2020. Fifty (50) healthy male and female participated in the clinical efficacy study, aged between 18-65 yrs. The gel-cream formulation, supplemented, or not (vehicle - FGV) with 0.1% (w/w) of Spirulina extract (FGA) was applied twice daily on the volunteers face region. The effects were evaluated in terms of skin hydration, transepidermal water loss-TEWL, skin micro relief, sebum content and morphological and structural epidermal features before and after a 28-day-period of application of the formulations. Results: A total of 50 patients were included in the study conducted over a period of 1 year, of which 25 (50.0%) were male and 25 (50.0%) were females. 50 healthy male and female participated in the clinical efficacy study, aged between 18-65 yrs. After 28 days of application of the formulation containing Spirulina extract, a significant increase of the stratum corneum water content was observed in both groups. This effect was more pronounced on the mature skin group. The formulation containing Spirulina extract increased stratum corneum water content and reduced the TEWL in both groups. However, a significant reduction in the older group, that received the formulation with Spirulina extract, was observed when compared to the younger group and to the vehicle formulation. Only the formulation containing the active ingredient under study reduced significantly the sebum content on the volunteer’s skin. It was also noted an improvement of the skin microrelief by the reduction of the surface roughness and after the treatment the keratinocytes were more uniformly distributed and homogeneous. Conclusion: The formulation containing Spirulina extract improved skin conditions and provided long term skin benefits such as hydration, protection of the skin barrier function and oil control. Finally, Spirulina extract stands out as a unique active ingredient for effective multifunctional dermocosmetic formulations for the care of young and mature skin.