SPECIAL NATURAL CARTILAGE POLYSACCHARIDES FOR THE TREATMENT OF SUN-DAMAGED SKIN IN FEMALES

In the present double-blind investigation, the effects of a new formulation of natural cartilage polysaccharides on sun-damaged skin were studied in women aged 40 - 60 years. A group of 15 women were treated orally with 500 mg/day active substance (Vivida(R)) for 90 days and a second group of 15 women received 500 mg/day placebo for 90 days. Clinical examinations after 45 and 90 days' treatment showed significant improvements in skin condition in the actively treated group but not in the placebo group (P < 0.001). In the Vivida(R) -treated patients, the epidermal thickness increased after 90 days from 0.11 mm to 0.29 mm, dermal thickness from 0.74 mm to 1.39 mm, skin elasticity index from 44% to 73% and the erythemal index decreased from 0.301 to 0.205. No changes were observed in the placebo group and no adverse effects were reported by either treatment group.