Effects of Tomato Extracts on Detergent-Induced Dry Skin in Rats

Dry skin, called xerosis as medical term, is one of the most common skin problems. Many epidemiological studies show that the consumption of foods containing lycopene plays an important role in protecting the epithelial tissue. In this study, water extracts of tomato (WET) containing lycopene were fed and applied to evaluate the effects on dry skin induced by kitchen detergent in rats. These effects were identified by protein analysis and histological changes such as inflammatory erythematic skin as well as acanthosis. The visual scoring for skin observation showed the value such as 4 indicating fiery red with edema after detergent application to skin for 3 wk. However, WET feeding and application to skin showed the decreased values, from 0.7 to 1.0. In addition, it was noteworthy that the epidermis of dry skin show apparent acanthosis with abnormally accentuated keratinization and parakeratosis. However, acanthosis was reversed by feeding and application of WET to dry skin. In order to analyze the effects of WET on dry skin induced by detergent, protein analysis was carried out. The increased amount of protein in dry skin after WET feeding and application would be suggested as one of biochemical mechanisms for recovering the damaged skin. Thus, it would be recommended that water-extracted tomato is a new ingredient in skin regeneration from dry skin induced by detergent.

토마토추출물의 흰쥐 건성피부에 미치는 효과

본 연구는 토마토 추출물의 주방세제 유도성 건성피부에 대한 효능을 실험쥐에 식이방법과 피부도포방법으로 처리하여 확인하였다. 약 3주간의 주방세제 처리에 의한 건성 증후는 홍반의 심각한 상태를 나타내는 4정도의 visual scoring이 모든 군에서 확인되었다. 그러나 약 1주간의 토마토추출물의 식이와 피부도포를 통해 상당히 완화되거나 정상 피부에 가까운 0.7-1.0정도의 visual scoring이 확인되었다. 또한 광학현미경을 통해 건성의 또 다른 증후인 과각화 현상이 토마토추출물의 피부도포와 식이로 현저히 감소하는 것으로 확인되었다. 이러한 토마토추출물에 의한 건선성 증후의 완화는 피부 단백질 함량의 양적 변화를 유도하는 것으로 확인되어 토마토추출물의 건선성 피부의 예방과 개선에 주요한 기전으로 이해된다.