Abstract :
Background: Photo aging is the superimposition of photodamage on intrinsically aged skin generally
bringing about premature aging due to chronic and multiple exposure of the skin to UV light. Routinely
used retinoids have many disadvantages. Phyto-estrogens present in plants have gained recent popularity as
anti-photo aging compounds. Isoflavonoids such as soy compounds can provide good photoprotection of
human skin. We intended to study efficacy of topical preparation of isoflavones in guineapigs for treatment
and prophylaxis of photoaging.
Materials and Methods: Three groups of guinea pigs were formed with 3 in each. Group II was pretreated
with isoflavonoid. All the groups received irradiation with UV-B for 8 weeks. After irradiation Group I was
treated with isoflavonoid and group II with tretinoin for 4 weeks. Erythema was scored with erythema scale
before and treatment.
Results: Group II pre treated with isoflavonoid developed erythema only after 4 weeks where as other
two groups developed in first week of irradiation. After treatment with isoflavonoids for 4 weeks, Group
I guinea pigs recorded complete reduction in erythema from 3to 0. Group III which were treated with
tretinoin recorded decline in erythema from 3 to 0.6. Guinea pigs of Group II had erythema score of 1
which persisted up to 8th week.
Conclusion: Isoflavonoid very well prevented erythema in guinea pig skin after UV-B irradiation. Topical
isoflavonoid nullified erythema fully in phototoxicity. Efficacy of isoflavonoid is comparable to that of
tretinoin.
Keyword :
; Photoaging, UVB radiation, Isoflavonoid, Erythema scale, Guinea pig, Tretinoin.