NutroxSun™ -  An exclusive blend of pomelo and grapefruit

NutroxSun™ - An exclusive blend of pomelo and grapefruit

Anti-aging and solar protection

NutroxSun™ is an exclusive mix of pomelo and rosemary extracts which protects the skin from the harmful effects of UV radiation by delaying the apparition of sunburns and reducing ageing signs.

  • antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect
  • improves UVB irradiated cell viability
  • reduces some oxidation markers
  • increases the minimal erythemal dose

NutroxSun™ is marketed in France and Benelux countries by Elementa.

NutroxSun™ is a combination of 50% rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) and 50% grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) extracts, both rich in polyphenols.

The extract of rosemary leaves contains around 57% total polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants; grapefruit extract contains around 22% flavonoids.

NutroxSun™ is an innovative health ingredient for sun protection and it is entirely made up of natural ingredients. The grapefruits are picked in the orchards found in the region of Murcia, Spain, at the heart of the Mediterranean Basin. Rosemary is also cultivated in this region, in Lorca.  The region is one of the largest cultivated surface in Spain thanks to its very positive climate.

Long-lasting partnerships with local farmers guarantee safe and high-quality raw products.

Melange-d-extraits

1. Sun exposure effects on skin

Although catching the sun’s rays is a pleasant experience, the consequences can be very serious for skin health and beauty. The sunlight is an ultraviolet ray (UV). According to the WHO, prolonged exposure to UV rays can have acute and chronic effects on the skin, eyes and the immune system.

Sun exposure can lead to sunburn, reduce the immune system, and even cause skin cancer (carcinoma or melanoma).

Beyond its health effects, irresponsible sun exposure leads to wrinkles, reduced skin elasticity and dark spots.

2. Different UV radiations

UV rays can be divided into 3 categories depending of their wavelenghs : UVA, UVB et UVC, respectively from 400 to 100 nanometers. More than 95% of radiation are issued from UVA and the last part is from UVB. The UVC have the shortest wavelenghs and are completely filtered by the ozone layer and never reach the earth surface.

Thus, UVA and UVB exposure is the main cause of harmful effects on skin.

UVB rays have medium lenghwaves and an important biological activity. There are more intense than UVA. Sunburn is mainly caused by UVB rays that damage the outer skin layer (epidermis). UVB rays are responsible for sun tan and postponed sunburns.

UVA rays have a longer lenghwave. UVA rays cause premature skin ageing. It make up a major part of the sun’s UV radiation and penetrate more deeply in the skin, reaching the dermis. Although UVB rays are the main factor implicated in skin cancer, UVA rays also play a non-negligible role in its development.1

The use of sunscreen is the best-known method to protect the skin from UVA and UVB rays, its application is, however, frequently inadequate. Most (80%) sun exposure occurs during daily activities (and not during deliberate sunbathing during vacation or sunny days). Less than half of people use an adequate quantity of sunscreen or apply it correctly. Moreover, applying sunscreen is a nuisance and can be affected by water, perspiration and friction.2

NutroxSun™ thus offers an effective alternative solution to protect the skin against UV rays and supported by clinical results.

1.WHO. < http://www.who.int/uv/health/fr/ >

2. Monteleoder. Presentation of NutroxSun. Mars 2017

3. Role of NutroxSun in skin protection

Several studies have demonstrated the health benefits of NutroxSun™, including an in vitro study, a pilot study and a clinical study.

a. In vitro Results

First, an in vitro study (Pérez-Sanchez et al., 2014) investigated the protective effects of the blend of rosemary and grapefruit extracts against UVB rays on skin. It demonstrated photoprotective effects at the cellular level.

  • Cellular protection

NutroxSun™  protects keratinocytes from cellular death caused by UVB.

Keratinocytes were treated with grapefruit extract alone, rosemary extract alone, or NutroxSun™. Cell viability was measured after irradiation of cells with UVB at 800 J/m² and 1200 J/m². NutroxSun™ significantly increased the protection of cells compared with the irradiated control without the addition of any extracts. After UVB irradiation at 800 J/m², the viability of cells treated with NutroxSun™ at 100 µg/mL was 70% with compared with 40% or 13% for cells treated with grapefruit or rosemary extracts at 50 µg/mL, respectively.

Similarly, after UVB irradiation at 1200 J/m², the viability of cells treated with NutroxSun™ at 100 µg/mL was 60%, compared with 13% or 5% for grapefruit or rosemary extracts at 50 µg/mL, respectively. Together, the two extracts have a synergistic effect and the protection provided by NutroxSun™ increases with its concentration.

  • Intracellular antioxidant

NutroxSun™ inhibits the ROS generation of UVB exposed cells.

The in vitro study also highlighted the antioxidant effect within the cell. The antioxidant role of the diterpenes found in rosemary and that of the flavonoids in grapefruit have been shown in cellular and animal studies. The formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), markers of oxidation caused by UVB, was measured using a DCFH-DA probe and fluorescence counts (Perez et al.). There was a significant decrease in ROS in cells treated with Nutroxsun™. Again, the ability of Nutroxsun™ to inhibit ROS formation increases with its concentration.

  • DNA protection

NutroxSun™ inhibits DNA damages caused by DNA on cells with less strand breaks. This result is shown thanks to comet assay and cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome assay (CBMN assay).

Source : Perez-Sanchez A. Protective effects of citrus and rosemary extracts on UV-induced damage in skin cell model and human volunteers. J Photochem Photobiol. 2014; B 136:12-18.

b. Pilot study results

Taking their study further to demonstrate the protective effect of NutroxSun™ in humans, Perez Sanchez et al. (2014) carried out a pilot study on 10 volunteers who took NutroxSun™ at a dose of 250 mg/day.

In human subjects, the minimal erythemal dose (MED) was measured at different times after exposure to UVB rays.

MED is the minimal amount of UV that a person can receive before redness or sunburn occurs. MED was measured at six different sites on the back between the shoulder blades and the waist using a sun simulator.

The above graphs illustrates the evolution of the MED value. The MED value significantly increased after two months of intake, indicating that a higher amount of UV is required to cause redness in a subject taking NutroxSun™ supplements. Therefore, NutroxSun™  has a photoprotective effect.

MED

c. Clinical results on skin health

A clinical study confirmed these results.The study carried out by Nobile et al. (2016) is divided into two parts: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study lasting two months  with 90 femmes and a shorter cross-over study lasting 7 days

The main goals are :

  • assess the short term and long term photoprotective effect of NutroxSun™ against UVB rays and UVA rays
  • assess if a dose-effect relation exists by testing different concentration of NutroxSun™

Regarding the photoprotective effect, the short-term ability of NutroxSun™ to decrease skin redness (caused by UVB) was studied. The long-term ability of NutroxSun™ (2 months) to protect the skin from the sun was also assessed:

  • using MED measurements to evaluate the protection against UVB rays;
  • by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker of lipid peroxidation, to evaluate the protection against UVA rays (effects were measured at 0, 4 and 24 h after exposure to UVA after 15 days, 1 month and 2 months of NutroxSun supplementation).

Skin redness and minimal erythemal dose

On the short term, measured skin redness decreased more quickly after only two days of NutroxSu™ supplementation at a dose of 250 mg. NutroxSun™ thus has a rapid effect on redness.

For the long-term study, 90 women with different skin phenotypes showing signs of intrinsic ageing as well as photoageing received a dose of 100 mg, 250 mg or a placebo for 90 days.

The graph belows shows the MED evolution compared to t = 0 in NutroxSun™ and placebo groups.

After only two weeks of supplementation, the MED value increased significantly in the supplemented group (+ 15.20%). Intake of 100 mg of NutroxSun™ increased MED to about 29.80% after two months of supplementation (Figure 2).

NutroxSun™ 100 mg intake increases significantly protection from UVB.

MED

Lipid peroxidation

Moreover, the base level of MDA (T= 0 h, no exposure) decreased significantly for supplementation at doses of 100 mg and 250 mg. Similarly, the concentration in MDA decreased to about 20% with after 2 months of NutroxSun™ supplementation, regardless of the dose, after 4 h of exposure to UVA thereby demonstrating a photoprotective effect against UVA rays.

It shows that NutroxSun™ can also have a photoprotective effect against UVA.

In conclusion, scientific proofs on NutroxSun™ role in skin health are :

  • cellular protection from death caused by UVB and UVA
  • antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects
  • decrease of skin redness and increase of MED : postponement of sunburn formation
  • decrease of lipoperoxidation

4. NutroxSun benefits on skin beauty

The clinical study also sought to assess the effect of NutroxSun on the photoaging signs.

The markers studied are the depth of wrinkles measured using a 3D sensor and the gross and net elasticity of the skin measured using a cutometer.

Results show a decrease in the two signs of skin ageing: the depth of wrinkles (measured using a 3D sensor) and the gross and net elasticity of the skin. After 2 months of supplementation, wrinkle depth varied by 15%. Moreover, a self-administered questionnaire revealed the positive impressions of participants regarding skin tone evenness and brightness, the reduction of wrinkles and overall appearance. For example, 80% felt that their skin was better moisturized with NutroxSun supplementation.

These results corroborate the positive effect of NutroxSun on skin appearance with 100 mg minimum.

NutroxSun™ is allowed in dietery supplements.

Citrus paradisi and Rosmarinus officinalis are both listed in Annex I of the French decree on plants authorized for use in food supplements, the so-called French “Plants” decree (published on 24 June 2014), and in List 3 of the Royal Belgian Decree (Decree of 29 August 1997).

Substances of concern for both plants are (Arrêté “Plantes” du 24 Juin 2014) :

  • Citrus paradisi : furocoumarines
  • Rosmarinus officinalis : camphor,  eucalyptol,pulegone, carvacrol

There are controlled by Monteloeder.

NutroxSun™ is partially soluble in water and alcohol and is available in powder form.

Based on the available studies, Monteloeder recommends a dose of 100 mg/day for medium- and long-term effects and a dose of 250 mg for a “recovery” effect after a sunburn.

Citrus paradisi et Rosmarinus officinalis are also GRAS (Generally recognized as safe) in USA. There are listed by the FDA into the code of Federal Regulations (CFR, Title 21, chapter 1, subchapter B) into category : Essential oils, oleoresins (solvent-free), and natural extractives (including distillates)  (Section 182.20).

NutroxSun™ is available in powder form (brown-orange color ) and partially soluble in water and alcohol.

NutroxSun™ can be used in food supplements and in nutricosmetics.

Based on the available studies, Monteloeder recommends a dose of 100 mg/day for medium- and long-term effects and a dose of 250 mg for a “recovery” effect after a sunburn.

Pomelo-demi

Mobile app

Resolutely modern in its outlook, Monteleoder has developed a mobile application for the NutroxSun™ end user.

The app can be made available from the food supplement manufacturer to its final consumers to better protect their skin.

Based on geolocalization and the consumer’s profile (skin type, sex, age, etc.), the app helps determine the duration of safe sun exposure, provides advice to protect the skin. It can set up alarms to remind when it’s time to apply sunscreen and to take NutroxSun.

Fun for the end user, the app also helps the food supplement company get to know its consumers better, obtain evidence for the effectiveness of its product worldwide and take advantage of new marketing opportunities.

Source :  Lopez. Monteloeder, 2017.

app-monteleoder