Abstract
- Background
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from solar exposure induces acute and chronic cutaneous damage, including erythema, inflammation, photoaging, and oxidative stress mediated by the excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within dermal and epidermal tissues. Nutritional interventions rich in dietary carotenoids and antioxidant phytochemicals have gained widespread scientific recognition for their photoprotective efficacy. Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) are exceptionally rich in potent lipophilic antioxidants, notably lycopene, $\beta$-carotene, phytoene, phytofluene, and vitamin E, which systemically accumulate in human skin and serve as endogenous quenchers of singlet oxygen and free radicals. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was designed to evaluate whether oral supplementation with a standardized tomato nutrient complex effectively modulates the cutaneous inflammatory and erythemal response following controlled UV irradiation in healthy human subjects.
- Methods
A rigorous, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel-group trial was conducted involving healthy human adult participants. Subjects were assigned to receive daily oral supplementation with a concentrated tomato nutrient complex (delivering a standardized profile of carotenoids and phytonutrients) or a matched placebo over a multi-week intervention period. Baseline and post-intervention evaluations included the quantification of minimal erythemal dose (MED) following controlled solar simulator UV exposure, colorimetric assessments of skin erythema intensity, and biochemical analyses of circulating carotenoid concentrations and systemic markers of oxidative stress and inflammation.
- Results
Daily oral supplementation with the tomato phytonutrient complex demonstrated statistically significant photoprotective benefits compared to the placebo group. Participants receiving the active tomato extract exhibited a marked increase in minimal erythemal dose (MED) and a significant reduction in UV-induced skin reddening (erythema intensity) following sun-simulator exposure. Furthermore, biochemical analyses confirmed robust systemic bioavailability, reflected by significant elevations in serum lycopene and total carotenoid levels, which strongly correlated with the attenuation of UV-induced inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers.
- Conclusions
Oral supplementation with tomato-derived phytonutrients significantly enhances skin resistance to ultraviolet radiation, effectively balancing the cutaneous inflammatory and erythemal response. These findings establish concentrated dietary carotenoids as a valuable, evidence-based internal photoprotective strategy for supporting skin health and mitigating solar-induced oxidative damage.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6482986/