Research Summary
Idebenone is an antioxidant and a lower molecular weight analogue of coenzyme Q10. Previous research has shown idebenone to be a highly effective antioxidant, protecting against cell damage from oxidative stress across various biochemical, cellular, and in vivo methods, including its ability to suppress sunburn cell (SBC) formation in living skin. However, no clinical studies had been conducted to establish the efficacy of idebenone in a topical skincare formulation for treating photodamaged skin prior to this study.
In this non-vehicle control study, 0.5% and 1.0% idebenone commercial formulations were evaluated in a clinical trial for topical safety and efficacy in photodamaged skin. Forty-one female subjects, aged 30–65, with moderate photodamage were randomized to use either a 0.5% or 1.0% idebenone skincare preparation (in identical lotion bases) twice daily for six weeks. Blinded expert graders assessed skin roughness/dryness, fine lines/wrinkles, and overall improvement in photodamage at baseline, three weeks, and six weeks. Electrical conductance readings for skin surface hydration and 35mm digital photography were also taken at baseline and after six weeks.
Punch biopsies were collected from randomly selected subjects at baseline and after six weeks, stained for antibodies (interleukin IL-6, interleukin IL-1b, matrix metalloproteinase MMP-1, collagen I) using immunofluorescence microscopy. After six weeks of using the 1.0% idebenone formula, a 26% reduction in skin roughness/dryness, a 37% increase in skin hydration, a 29% reduction in fine lines/wrinkles, and a 33% improvement in global assessment of photodamage were observed. For the 0.5% idebenone formulation, a 23% reduction in skin roughness/dryness, a 37% increase in skin hydration, a 27% reduction in fine lines/wrinkles, and a 30% improvement in overall global assessment of photodamage were noted. The immunofluorescence staining also revealed a decrease in IL-1b, IL-6, and MMP-1, along with an increase in collagen I for both concentrations.
Keywords: antioxidant, idebenone, photodamage