The extract is being launched by Indian plant-based ingredient supplier Samriddh Nutractive, which markets products globally, and positions SPH-24 as a clinically substantiated nutricosmetic ingredient for the beauty-from-within category.
Commenting on the findings of the 12-week trial which was conducted with 80 female participants, the researchers wrote: “Daily supplementation with SPH-24 for 12 weeks significantly improved multiple objective measures of skin aging and skin health, particularly wrinkle burden, hydration, elasticity, epidermal barrier function, pigmentation, and erythema.”
Aditya Jain, Founder and CEO of Samriddh, said in a press release that the study, published in Clinical and Experimental Dermatology and Therapies, represents an important first step in building the clinical foundation for SPH-24.
“We are encouraged by these early results, which reflect the kind of objective, clinically measured evidence we believe new ingredients should be built on,” they said, noting that further trials are planned through 2027 to continue to evidence the product’s clinical profile.
Bioactives in pomegranate and holy basil
While skin aging is influenced by intrinsic factors such as hormones and chronological aging, it is also driven by oxidative stress from environmental exposures, particularly UV radiation.
This results in progressive loss of collagen and elastin fibers, impaired barrier function, and transepidermal water loss. Symptoms of skin aging include wrinkles, pigmentation, and overall loss of radiance and hydration.
Pomegranate peel is a rich source of bioactive polyphenols that possess potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Holy basil, commonly known as tulsi, is a medicinal plant used extensively in Ayurvedic medicine, whose bioactive compounds are anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.
Both these plants have demonstrated positive effects on skin in previous research, which the current researchers noted provides a strong rationale for their complementary use in a combined product.
Study details
The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involved women aged 30-55 years who consumed SPH-24 or placebo daily for 12 weeks.
The participants attended clinic screening visits to assess facial wrinkles, skin firmness, hydration, elasticity, and barrier function.
The results showed that SPH-24 “significantly reduced forehead wrinkle number, wrinkle area, and wrinkle area percentage compared with placebo after 12 weeks, with reduction in wrinkle number evident from Week 4,” the researchers wrote.
They also noted significant improvements in skin hydration, elasticity, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), melanin index, erythema, and measures of pigmentation.
No significant treatment differences were observed in skin firmness or overall skin tone, and the product was well tolerated with no adverse effects.
SPH-24 was well tolerated, with no treatment-related adverse events, serious adverse events, or clinically significant laboratory or vital sign abnormalities reported.
“These findings support the potential of SPH-24 as a botanical nutricosmetic for promoting healthy skin aging,” the researchers concluded.
Source: Clinical and Experimental Dermatology and Therapies; doi: www.doi.org/10.29011/2575-8268.100249; “Efficacy of SPH-24, a Proprietary Blend of Pomegranate (Punica granatum) peel and Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum) Extracts on Skin Aging Parameters in Healthy Women: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.” Authors: H. Chandra Shekhar et al.
