Skin Care Research: Quercetin for Homemade Skin Care Recipes

Quercetin
BAUMANN LS, Skin & Allergy News- 2005 01 (Vol. 36, Issue 1)

"Polyphenols comprise a dynamic group of approximately 8,000 compounds that are widely distributed in plants used for food. Within the class of polyphenols are the flavonoids, naturally occurring plant pigments that are also known as bioflavonoids (Eur. J. Haematol. 2003;71:448-54; Free Radic. Res. 1999;31 Suppl:S75-80). Flavonoids impart color to many fruits, vegetables, and flowers, and have also been found to possess numerous health benefits. Quercetin is one compound on the expanding list of flavonoids that are garnering scientific attention for their reputed and reported effects.

Flavonoids are known to exhibit antioxidant, cytoprotective, and anti-inflammatory activities (Eur. J. Haematol. 2003;71:448-54). Notably, quercetin has exhibited both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties (Contact Dermatitis 2000;42:85-9). In research on rats, quercetin was found to significantly protect cutaneous antioxidant systems—such as glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase activities—against damage from UVA irradiation (Clin. Exp. Dermatol. 2001;26:536-9). Quercetin is also considered a potent antihistamine and anti-inflammatory, effective in treating several symptoms of allergy and asthma.

Quercetin has the chemical structure 3,5,7,3′,4′-pentahydroxyflavon and is one of the most abundant natural flavonoids (Clin. Exp. Dermatol. 2001;26:536-9; Free Radic. Biol. Med. 1998;25:196-200; Biomed Papers 2003;147:137-45). It is a component of many common fruits and vegetables, including apples, grapes, and lemons, as well as beverages like tea and red wine. Quercetin has also been identified as a component of the herbs Ginkgo biloba, Apocynum venetum, Poacynum hendersonii, and Opuntia ficus-indica; it is found in propolis from beehives as well as in olive oil." Read more

Protective effect of topical formulations containing quercetin against UVB-induced oxidative stress in hairless mice.
Casagrande R, Georgetti SR, Verri WA Jr, Dorta DJ, dos Santos AC, Fonseca MJ.,
Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirao Preto, Brazil.

"UV radiation-induced skin damages may result in pre-cancerous and cancerous skin lesions, and acceleration of skin aging. It involves an imbalance of the endogenous antioxidant system that leads to the increase of free radical levels and inflammation. Therefore, antioxidant supplementation might inhibit such imbalance. In this regard, quercetin is a promising drug, this plant derived lipophilic flavonoid presents the higher antioxidant activity among flavonoids and multiple antioxidant mechanisms. Thus, the present study investigated the possible beneficial effects of topical formulations containing quercetin to inhibit UVB irradiation-induced oxidative damages.... To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate the effectiveness of topical formulations containing quercetin to inhibit the UVB irradiation-induced skin damages."

"The non-ionic emulsion with high lipid content (formulation 1) was prepared with commercially available self-emulsifying wax (Polawax® – cetostearyl alcohol and polyoxyethylene derived of a fatty acid ester of sorbitan 20E) 10%, macadamia nut oil 2.5%, squalene 1%, a mixture of phenoxyethanol and parabens 0.4% (Phenova®) and deionized water to complete 100%. The anionic emulsion with low lipid content (formulation 2) was prepared with commercially available self-emulsifying wax (Polawax®) 2%, anionic hydrophilic colloid (carboxypolymethylene-Carbopol®940) 0.18%, triethanolamine 0.2%, macadamia nut oil 2.5%, squalene 1%, a mixture of phenoxyethanol and parabens 0.4% (Phenova®) and deionized water to complete 100%. Quercetin (1.00%) was solubilized in propyleneglycol (6.00%) and then added to the formulations at room temperature. All concentrations of the formulations raw materials were expressed as percentages weight/weight. The control formulations did not contain the flavonoid." Read more

Can a Flavonoid, Quercetin, Be an Effective Topical Acne Medication?

Paige N. Dubin, CALIFORNIA STATE SCIENCE FAIR, project number: S1414

" topical Quercetin solution for acne proved to be a tremendous success in decreasing inflammatory acne lesions and decreasing the bacterial count on facial skin of all my acne subjects. " Read more (PDF)

Lab studies on Quercetin for scars.

Quercetin inhibits fibronectin production by keloid-derived fibroblasts. Implication for the treatment of excessive scars.

Suppression of transforming growth factor beta/smad signaling in keloid-derived fibroblasts by quercetin: implications for the treatment of excessive scars.

Suppression of insulin-like growth factor signalling pathway and collagen expression in keloid-derived fibroblasts by quercetin: its therapeutic potential use in the treatment and/or prevention of keloids.

Dietary compounds inhibit proliferation and contraction of keloid and hypertrophic scar-derived fibroblasts in vitro: therapeutic implication for excessive scarring.

The following studies are on the use of Merderma and Onion Extract Gel.

This is another lab study: Effect of Mederma on hypertrophic scarring in the rabbit ear model

"Histologic analysis demonstrated no significant reduction in scar hypertrophy or scar elevation index. However, a significant improvement in dermal collagen organization was noted on comparing Mederma-treated scars with untreated control scars (p < 0.05). No significant difference in dermal vascularity or inflammation was noted. Computer analysis of the scar photographs demonstrated no significant reduction in scar erythema with Mederma treatment. The active product in Mederma, allium cepa, has as its derivative quercetin, a bioflavonoid noted for its antiproliferative effects on both normal and malignant cells, and its antihistamine release effects. These properties could theoretically prove beneficial in reversing the inflammatory and proliferative responses noted in hypertrophic scars. Despite the authors' inability to demonstrate a reduction in scar hypertrophy, the improvement in collagen organization noted in the Mederma-treated scars suggests it may have an effect on the pathophysiology of hypertrophic scar formation. "

This is a study with real people:Onion extract gel versus petrolatum emollient on new surgical scars: prospective double-blinded study.

"Petrolatum-based topical agents constitute standard therapy in the management of postoperative wounds. In this side-by-side, randomized, double-blinded, split-scar study, the onion extract gel did not improve scar cosmesis or symptomatology when compared with a petrolatum-based ointment."

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Advanced skin care research has shown that quercetin has properties that make it useful as an antioxidant, an anti-inflammatory, for acne care, scar care, and for protection from the suns harmful rays

Quercetin research

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