Delta-5® oil, containing the anti-inflammatory fatty acid sciadonic acid, improves skin barrier function in a skin irritation model in healthy female subjects

• Published in: Lipids in health and disease Vol. 21; no. 1; pp. 40 - 15
• Main Author: Berger, Alvin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 20.04.2022; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Acne; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - metabolism; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - pharmacology; Anti-inflammatory drugs; Arachidonic acid; Arachidonic Acids - metabolism; Barrier function; Care and treatment; Dermatitis; Eczema; Eicosanoic acid; Epidermis; Fatty acids; Fatty Acids - metabolism; Female; Forearm; Health aspects; Humans; Inflammation; Irritant; Irritation; Nitrogen; Odors; Oil; Oxidation; Pharmacology, Experimental; Phospholipids; Rash (Dermatology); Sciadonic acid; Seeds; Skin; Skin - metabolism; SLS; Sodium lauryl sulfate; Water Loss, Insensible; United States; Irritant; TEWL; Sodium lauryl sulfate; Stratum corneum; Barrier function; Epidermis; Skin; SLS; Sciadonic acid; Transepidermal water loss
• ISSN: 1476-511X; 1476-511X
• DOI: 10.1186/s12944-022-01643-9

Sciadonic acid (SA) is an anti-inflammatory fatty acid displacing arachidonic acid (ARA) from specific phospholipid pools, thus modulating downstream pro-inflammatory lipid mediators. Its novel anti-inflammatory actions have been studied in vitro, in pre-clinical models, and stemming from testimonials, after topical- and oral application. It has not been tested in a formal clinical study for topical benefits previously. Skin barrier layer was our focus as it has a critically important role in maintaining skin moisture balance. Herein, forearm skin was left undamaged; or barrier layer was chemically-damaged with 2% sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) for 24 h. SLS-damaged skin was left untreated or treated with Delta-5® oil containing 24% SA twice daily for 27 days. Barrier function was assessed by open chamber transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin surface impedance on days 0 (clear skin), -1 (1-day post-SLS), -2 (2-days post-SLS, 1-day post-Delta-5), -3, -7, and - 28. Relative to day 1, Delta-5 oil statistically significantly decreased TEWL vs. untreated damaged sites, on days 3 (125% more reduced), -7 (74% more reduced), and - 28 (69% more reduced). Decreases in TEWL following chemical damage indicates improved skin barrier repair and healing. Similar patterns were quantified for skin impedance. There was also reduced redness observed on days 3 and - 7 with Delta-5 oil vs. untreated SLS-damaged skin. Delta-5 oil thus has anti-inflammatory potential in human skin, under controlled clinical conditions, to accelerate irritant-induced healing, and improve skin barrier function. Improvement in barrier function would benefit dermatitis, acne, eczema, and skin scarring. In normal skin, Delta-5 oil has potential to promote healthy, moisturized skin; and improve skin structure, elasticity, and firmness.