Vol. 5, n. 1, January-March 2009 1th International ... - Salute per tutti

Enzo Berardesca
Manuela Carrera
Dermatological Institute
San Gallicano, Rome.
Clinical and instrumental evaluation
of the efficacy of a nanosilicon
containing formulation
SU M M A R Y
I ntroduction
Silicon is a component of pro t e o g l y c a n
complexes that interlace with collagen and contribute
to structural integrity. Specifically, some
suggest that silicon-oxygen bridges (-O-Si-O-)
make up structural elements in the muco-polysaccharides
found in connective tissues.
F u r t h e r m o re, silicon promotes the synthesis of
p roline and hydro x y p roline; principal amino
Clinical and instrumental evaluation
of the efficacy of a nanosilicon
containing formulation
Silicon is a component of elastin and collagen and increasing evidence suggests that
silicon is a nutrient of concern for both bone and skin. It has been proven that silicon
deprivation affects collagen formation and collagen deposition in many tissues.
The main source of silicon is the diet, but the bioavailability of this nutrient fro m
solid foods is not assessed. The transformation of silicon contained in zeolite by
means of nanotechnology has led to the production of nanosilicon. The particles of
nanosilicon raise dimensions of 10-20 nm with an increased active surface and a
higher bioavailability which facilitate the cellular absorption. Nanosilicon is very
important in skin hydration because of its capacity to bind a large amount of water
and to normalize the contents of glycosaminoglycan.
This study has been undertaken in order to evaluate the efficacy of a nanosilicon containing
formulation to improve skin hydration and elasticity. Thirty healthy female
subjects entered the study. Fifteen patients were randomized to receive the placebo
and fifteen patients received the active compound; all the patients were instructed to
take the food supplement twice a day for the first twenty days and then once a day
for the next twenty days. All the patients enrolled were instructed to apply the
nanosilicon containing solution on the right forearm four times a day. The patients
were evaluated with non invasive methods at baseline, after 20 days and at the end
of the study, after 40 days. Statistical analysis was performed using t-test and Anova
and values of p < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. After twenty days in
both groups there was a statistically significant improvement of skin hydration on
the right forearm as well as a significant improvement of the barrier function as
shown by the decrease of the TEWL. The elasticity was increased only in the group
who take the active compound and the results were statistically significant. The evaluation
performed at the end of the study confirmed this trend.
The consumption of the food supplement and the topical use of the solution both
containing nanosilicon has proven to be effective for the improvement of skin
hydration, barrier function and elasticity.
KE Y W O R D S: Skin hydration and elasticity, Nanosilicon
acids in collagen and central elements in defining
its primary and secondary structure. Incre a s i n g
evidence suggests that silicon is a nutrient of
c o n c e rn for both bone and skin. It has been
p roven that silicon deprivation affects collagen
formation and collagen deposition in many tissues
and that levels of this mineral in the skin
d e c rease with aging 1 .
Journal of Plastic Dermatology 2009; 5, 1 7