dermaviduals® DMS
  MenuMenu publications >> special actives imprint sitemap German
 

Flavones and isoflavones - the all-rounders among active agents

 

With their broad range of applications multifunctional active agents are particularly interesting for skin care. Besides vitamins, polyphenols have a large potential. Their most prominent representatives are flavones and isoflavones.

 

Polyphenols are natural substances which, inter alia, build up in fruits. Due to their electron-rich aromatic structure with their numerous phenolic hydroxy groups, they belong to the most potent antioxidants. The antioxidant effect of polyphenols still is enhanced by their specific feature of forming complexes with catalytic heavy metals such as iron and thus rendering the metals inactive.
Depending on their structure, they absorb different wave lengths of the visible light and of UV radiation. Hence the world of polyphenols is rich in colours and contributes to the colourful variety of fruits and flowers. So it is obvious to use them as natural dyes. The code for quercetin for instance is C.I. Natural Yellow 10. Many of the polyphenols also have antimicrobial effects against bacteria and fungi.

Origins in folk medicine

Besides benzoic acid compounds - e.g. caffeic, cinnamic and gallic acids - and stilbene derivatives such as resveratrol, above all the flavones and isoflavones have a long tradition in the folk medicine of specific countries and play a particular role in nutrition. They are attributed with health-supporting and partly therapeutic properties. They belong to the cosmeceuticals and also are sold as food supplements.

flavone - basic structure   isoflavone - basic structure
 
The topology of isoflavone is similar to oestrogen and hence fits like a key into the keyhole of hormonal receptors. That is why it can inhibit hormone-controlled processes or activate functions of the immune system. Compared with endogenic hormones, the effect is lower by powers of ten but nevertheless the influence is noticeable after a long-term ingestion via food. The fact that Asian women tend to suffer less from menopause symptoms is attributed to their nutrition with soya products containing isoflavones. Consequently, there are now soya products on the European market to treat sweating attacks and hot flushes.
An appropriate paraphrase for isoflavones hence is the term "phytohormones". In soya and red clover the phytohormones genistein and daidzein occur in high concentration. Red clover also contains their methylated compounds formononetin and biochanin A.
Isoflavones also stimulate the collagen synthesis and slow down collagen degradation. The testosterone-enhanced activity of the sweat glands is influenced - a feature which is used in acne preparations and which still can be improved by using phosphatidylcholine as a carrier substance. The local, weak estrogen-like effect generally leads to a smoothing of the skin.
A stimulated microcirculation and the growth inhibition of female upper lip hair also have been reported. In reverse, in-vitro findings imply an inhibition of the steroid-5α-reductase1) - its activity is held responsible for the male hair loss. This effect has been proved for the most important flavones of green tea, epicatechin-3-gallate and epigallocatechin-3-gallate. Studies imply that isoflavones can inhibit the aromatase2). The inhibition of the enzyme that converts androgens into oestrogens is part of the treatment of the female breast cancer. According to the statistics, high levels of isoflavones in the blood plasma correspond with a lower frequency of breast cancer.

Against premature skin aging

Plant extracts with flavones and isoflavones are interesting components for skin care products to prevent skin aging. Hormonal fluctuations during menstruation, menopause and postmenopause as well as age-based changes in general which are reflected in the skin appearance can thus be treated. Hence there are numerous studies on the effects of phytohormones. Their relevance cannot always be assumed though. They use quite a number of in-vitro results which in reality do not reflect the human skin condition. Missing correlations however tend to be ignored in the everyday marketing of cosmetic products.
The situation is different with the antioxidant properties of the substances. As a general rule, they also are found in-vivo, however, often are overrated regarding their sustainable antiaging effects3). Well-known antioxidants are quercetin which occurs in capers, onions and blueberries, the oligomer proanthocyanidin (OPC) contained in grape seed extracts and the flavones of green tea. As with other antioxidants, a long-term use often leads to a skin whitening effect which can be related to the inhibition of the melanin-forming tyrosinase. In the case of some representatives such as genistein4) also the inhibition of AGE-formation can be observed. AGE is the abbreviation for Advanced Glycation Endproducts - so-called "saccharified" molecules that play a role in aging processes.
The flavones of kigelia extracts (sausage tree), quercetin, luteolin and 6-hydroxyluteolin also have antioxidant effects. Their glycosides (see below) stabilise and tone the superficial capillary blood vessels and the connective tissue. Associated with it is a noticeable and visible tightening of the skin which in particular is made use of in eye and décolleté products.
The vasoprotective and detumescent effects of flavones are therapeutically used in veins preparations. Particularly significant in this context is rutin, a glycoside of quercetin gained from buckwheat leaves. Rutin also has anti-inflammatory and a number of other effects which altogether are used as basis for a multitude of natural remedies. This also applies for hesperidin and diosmin, both administered in the case of varicose veins. Medical drugs with flavones are mountain arnica (also called leopard's bane, mountain tobacco or wolf's bane), chamomile, marigold (also called calendula or ruddles) and liquorice.

A large variety

In plant extracts, flavones and isoflavones either occur free or in the form of glycosides. Glycosides are their linkages to different sugars. When extracting or processing the extracts, the glycosides are partially split. Glycosides often are better soluble in water. As this influences their concentration and availability, not all the extracts show the same topical effects. The terms can easily be confounded. Genistin (without „e") is the compound of genistein with glucose. In analogy, daidzin is the glycoside of daidzein with glucose.
Besides the effects of the contained polyphenols, many of the extracts also develop synergies with other components. Hence the single compounds as well as the extracts are of interest for skin care purposes.
Although isoflavones bind to oestrogen receptors, their metabolism is completely different. Secondary hormonal effects will not occur though. They already degrade in the skin. Systemic effects have not yet been observed in the context of skin care products.

Adverse effects?

The discussions around endocrine disruptors have reached the polyphenols and particularly isoflavones. Endocrine disruptors are substances with potential hormonal activity which therefore can have harmful effects on the organism.
The concerns in this context mainly focus on synthetic substances with aromatic structures which are hard to degrade. The adjective "aromatic" originally referred to the scent of the substances, meanwhile however it is synonymous with an electron-rich structure in the form of a benzene ring, as already mentioned at the beginning. Examples for proven harmful substances for humans are polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), phthalic acid esters (phthalate esters; plasticisers), triclosan (preservative) and bisphenol A (additive in plastics). Also parabens (preservatives) and older UV filters such as cinnamate are suspected to belong to this category.
In this context, the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung - BfR) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA - Europäische Behörde für Lebensmittelsicherheit - EBL) also addressed the hormonal effects of isoflavones. After all, they increasingly find their way into food and food supplements.
An EFSA statement published in 2015 says that there is no evidence for any noxiousness of isoflavones to breast, uterus and thyroid gland of postmenopausal women. The statement is based on an ingestion of 35 to 150 mg per day via food or food supplements. It can be assumed though that we are still in an early stage of research.

References

1) Evans BAJ, Griffiths K und Morton MS, Inhibition of 5α-reductase in genital skin fibroblasts and prostate tissue by dietary lignans and isoflavonoids, Journal of Endocrinology (1995) 147, 295-302
2) Lephar ED, Modulation of Aromatase by Phytoestrogens (Review), Enzyme Research, Volume 2015 (2015), Article ID 594656, 11 pages; http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/594656
3) Lautenschläger H, Antioxidantien und Radikalfänger - zu viel ist zu viel, Ästhetische Dermatologie (mdm) 2015 (8), 12-16
4) Lv L, Shao X, Chen H, Ho CT, Sang S, Genistein inhibits advanced glycation end product formation by trapping methylglyoxal, Chem Res Toxicol. 2011;24(4):579-86

Dr. Hans Lautenschläger

 
Please note: The publication is based on the state of the art at the publishing date of the specialist journal.

Please use the reader-view for mobile terminals.
If there are any questions, do not hesitate to contact us via koko@dermaviduals.de .
This applies to any misprint or other relevant mistakes on this page too.
© Copyright Kosmetik Konzept KOKO GmbH & Co. KG, Leichlingen, www.dermaviduals.de
Revision: 27.05.2021
 
  pdf
Download
 

published in
Kosmetik International
2016 (10), 62-65

 
special actives - further literature
Enzymes and fermentation
Phytohormones – border crossers in cosmetics
Biopolymer – Hyaluronic acid in skin care
Strong protectors – stabilising antioxidants
From A to K - Vitamin dictionary focussing on skin care
Hot and spicy - paracress, chillies, mustard and Co.
Fire and fire brigade - functioning of free radicals and antioxidants
Hyaluronic acid & polysaccharides - for skin hydration and wrinkle reduction
Pigment disorders of the skin: causes and remedies
Cosmeceuticals - phospholipids
Phosphates: the power suppliers for skin and hair
Anti-irritant agents
Flavones and isoflavones - the all-rounders among active agents
Antimicrobial peptides
So small and subtle - nanoparticles from solid to liquid
Saponins in skin care
Antioxidants and radical scavengers - too much is too much
Retinoids and their use in cosmetics
Frankincense - the resin with healing power
Asking the expert: Any potent active agents to treat excessive sweating?
Approved skin lightener - tranexamic acid is effective against pigmented spots and redness
Alkaloids in cosmetic applications
Vitamins in cosmetics
Flawless skin - active agents and active agent systems
All made of sugar - Glycosides in skin care products
Phospholipids - the all-rounders
Vitamins in cosmetic products - just additives or added benefit as well?
The water balance in our skin: moisturizers & Co.
Extinguishing the flames - anti-inflammatory active agents
Skin whitening agents from A to Z - a summary
Antioxidants - an overview
Biodegradable lamellar systems in skin care, skin protection and dermatology
Let it grow again - on actives and active systems to stimulate hair growth
A focus on nerves - on intended and adverse effects
No crinkle-look - an arsenal of anti-wrinkle agents at choice
Growth factors - the body's own peptides control various cell functions
Vitamins in cosmetics
Trace elements - tiny helpers for a healthy life
Nanoparticles - sizing up skin care
Moisturizers for the skin care
A comparison - pharmaceutical and cosmetic active agents
Fragrances, vitamins and hormones - the ABC of terpenes
From biochemistry - the ABC of steroids
The ABC of fatty acids
Omnipresent and multifunctional - amino acids in skin care
Nanoparticles in cosmetic products - good or bad?
Hyaluronic acid - a legendary agent
Peptides - more than transmitters and hormones
Liposomes
Precious load - transport of active agents
Enzymes - the silent brownies
Vitamin K for a healthy and beautiful skin
Olibanum - embedded in nanoparticles
Treatment of actinic keratoses with a new olibanum extract
High tech agents: new - improved - and more effective?
Corneotherapy - ...more than just a surface application
Specific active agents and bases in corneotherapy
Active agents: liposomes, nanoparticles & co
Strong effects - phospholipids in cosmetics
Encapsulated substances - the capacity of carrier systems
Liposomes in Dermatological Preparations Part II
Liposomes in Dermatological Preparations Part I
Electron-microscopical Detection of Liposomes in a Skin Treatment Gel
Comments concerning the legal framework for the use of liposomes in cosmetic preparations
The Use of Liposomes from Soya Phospholipids in Cosmetics