331 Topical Apple Derivatives
shown by Yang et al. and Chang et al.), and this was further demonstrated through studies
with HaCaT keratinocytes.17 This study allowed for the macroscopic evaluation of the effects
of phloretin 3’3-disulfonate. Another human clinical study demonstrated the effects of
Annurca polyphenolic extract, an industrial procyanidinic extract, on wrinkles and reduced
skin density, elasticity, and hydration in women. The study found an overall increase in dermal
density, skin elasticity, and skin hydration among subjects along with reduction of crow’s
feet and skin roughness.18 The study found that the apple extracts optimized metabolism
in senescent fibroblasts by increasing cellular oxygen consumption and ATP level while also
reducing extracellular lactate levels, restoring full cell function, which resulted in the anti-
aging properties of the serum. However, the serum also contained pro-collagen lipopeptide,
creatine, and urea which are also known for having cosmetic anti-aging effects.27-29 Any of
these ingredients could be responsible for the metabolic optimization, hydration, or cosmetic
effects observed in this study.18 Further studies are indicated for testing the lone effects of
Annurca polyphenolic extract for the reversal of skin wrinkles and increased dermal density.
The evidence that apple derivatives work for chemotherapy-induced alopecia is poor, since
most of the current information is tested only in mice. Chemotherapy-induced alopecia is
a common side-effect of chemotherapy which can be distressing for the patient, can lead
to social and sexual dysfunction, as well as anxiety and depression. Furthermore, typical
treatments for alopecia usually involve hormones and growth factors which could provide
unwanted protection of tumor cells or worse, could induce cancer cell proliferation, and thus
are not an option for patients undergoing chemotherapy. Annurca polyphenolic extract was
found to have a hair promoting effect that resulted in metabolic reprogramming of hair
follicles.20 This reprogramming increases β-oxidation and reduces metabolism through
NADPH dependent pathways, allowing more amino acids to be present for keratin
formation and more prostaglandin F2α intracellularly, which also promotes hair growth.
Due to its mechanism of action, DNA replication and mitosis are not affected by Annurca
polyphenolic extract, making it a potential treatment option for those experiencing
chemotherapy-induced alopecia. However, it is uncertain if the mechanism of action of
Annurca polyphenolic extract is the same in human hair follicles as in mice hair follicles.
Therefore, further studies are indicated in humans and in the efficacy of this extract against
chemotherapeutic regimens, other than Paclitaxel and Docetaxel.
Apple derivatives were found to be ineffective in molluscum contagiosum, TEWL, and
atopic dermatitis, and often lead to more irritation or skin damage. The presence of a
damaged skin barrier seems to predispose further inflammation due to the skin’s inability
to protect itself against the potentially corrosive effects of acidic apple derivatives, such as
apple cider vinegar.
Molluscum contagiosum is a self-limiting skin condition resulting from a molluscum
contagiosum virus infection that is marked by pink umbilicated papules.30 In the reviewed
case report, the topical application of apple cider vinegar to treat Mollusca contagiosum
resulted in chemical burns similar to that of a stronger acid, despite vinegar being a weak
acid.19 The severity of the tissue damage by a weak acid may be attributed to the extended
contact the acid had to the skin (t =8 hours), the preexisting molluscum contagiosum
lesions that could have weakened the skin barrier, or some component in apple cider vinegar
that adds to the causticity of the acid. However, to determine the true effects of the apple-
derived acid on the lesions, there needs to be further studies investigating the effect of the
length of topical contact, molluscum contagiosum lesions, and components of apple cider
vinegar on the skin barrier. As this is a case report based on a single subject, the studies
shown by Yang et al. and Chang et al.), and this was further demonstrated through studies
with HaCaT keratinocytes.17 This study allowed for the macroscopic evaluation of the effects
of phloretin 3’3-disulfonate. Another human clinical study demonstrated the effects of
Annurca polyphenolic extract, an industrial procyanidinic extract, on wrinkles and reduced
skin density, elasticity, and hydration in women. The study found an overall increase in dermal
density, skin elasticity, and skin hydration among subjects along with reduction of crow’s
feet and skin roughness.18 The study found that the apple extracts optimized metabolism
in senescent fibroblasts by increasing cellular oxygen consumption and ATP level while also
reducing extracellular lactate levels, restoring full cell function, which resulted in the anti-
aging properties of the serum. However, the serum also contained pro-collagen lipopeptide,
creatine, and urea which are also known for having cosmetic anti-aging effects.27-29 Any of
these ingredients could be responsible for the metabolic optimization, hydration, or cosmetic
effects observed in this study.18 Further studies are indicated for testing the lone effects of
Annurca polyphenolic extract for the reversal of skin wrinkles and increased dermal density.
The evidence that apple derivatives work for chemotherapy-induced alopecia is poor, since
most of the current information is tested only in mice. Chemotherapy-induced alopecia is
a common side-effect of chemotherapy which can be distressing for the patient, can lead
to social and sexual dysfunction, as well as anxiety and depression. Furthermore, typical
treatments for alopecia usually involve hormones and growth factors which could provide
unwanted protection of tumor cells or worse, could induce cancer cell proliferation, and thus
are not an option for patients undergoing chemotherapy. Annurca polyphenolic extract was
found to have a hair promoting effect that resulted in metabolic reprogramming of hair
follicles.20 This reprogramming increases β-oxidation and reduces metabolism through
NADPH dependent pathways, allowing more amino acids to be present for keratin
formation and more prostaglandin F2α intracellularly, which also promotes hair growth.
Due to its mechanism of action, DNA replication and mitosis are not affected by Annurca
polyphenolic extract, making it a potential treatment option for those experiencing
chemotherapy-induced alopecia. However, it is uncertain if the mechanism of action of
Annurca polyphenolic extract is the same in human hair follicles as in mice hair follicles.
Therefore, further studies are indicated in humans and in the efficacy of this extract against
chemotherapeutic regimens, other than Paclitaxel and Docetaxel.
Apple derivatives were found to be ineffective in molluscum contagiosum, TEWL, and
atopic dermatitis, and often lead to more irritation or skin damage. The presence of a
damaged skin barrier seems to predispose further inflammation due to the skin’s inability
to protect itself against the potentially corrosive effects of acidic apple derivatives, such as
apple cider vinegar.
Molluscum contagiosum is a self-limiting skin condition resulting from a molluscum
contagiosum virus infection that is marked by pink umbilicated papules.30 In the reviewed
case report, the topical application of apple cider vinegar to treat Mollusca contagiosum
resulted in chemical burns similar to that of a stronger acid, despite vinegar being a weak
acid.19 The severity of the tissue damage by a weak acid may be attributed to the extended
contact the acid had to the skin (t =8 hours), the preexisting molluscum contagiosum
lesions that could have weakened the skin barrier, or some component in apple cider vinegar
that adds to the causticity of the acid. However, to determine the true effects of the apple-
derived acid on the lesions, there needs to be further studies investigating the effect of the
length of topical contact, molluscum contagiosum lesions, and components of apple cider
vinegar on the skin barrier. As this is a case report based on a single subject, the studies
