In many ways, looking at superoxide dismutase functions is looking at how understanding the mechanisms behind free radicals has significantly advanced cosmetic science.
Simply put, free radicals are the unstable molecules with unpaired electrons that are behind oxidative stress and harm in cellular structures, including lipids, proteins, and DNA. A damage directly linked with accelerating aging processes, it has been a fundamental focal point for cosmetic scientists in recent times.
In this context, one key antioxidant that has been introduced into the skincare lexicon is superoxide dismutase (SOD). In fact, superoxide dismutase functions as well as their enhancement with powerful antioxidants has the potential to launch a new era in antioxidant treatments.
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Superoxide dismutase: functions and definition
Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is a crucial enzyme and a critical component of the natural antioxidant defense system working to neutralize free radicals and mitigate oxidative stress.
As such, superoxide dismutase functions can be summarized as follows:
- Antioxidant defense: SOD catalyzes the conversion of superoxide radicals (O2•−) into oxygen (O2) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), less harmful substances, thus effectively protecting cells from oxidative stress. This is important because superoxide radicals can cause significant oxidative damage to cells if not neutralized promptly.
- Modulation of inflammatory responses: because superoxide radicals are involved in inflammatory processes, SOD can help modulate the inflammatory response by reducing the levels of superoxide radicals.
- Cellular repair mechanisms: SOD plays a key role in protecting cellular components (such as proteins, lipids, and DNA) from oxidative damage. It thus supports overall cell health and function, including mitochondrial function that would be susceptible to oxidative damage.
- Neuroprotective effects: oxidative stress and free radical damage can also be implicated in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. In this context, superoxide dismutase functions as an antioxidant can contribute to important neuroprotection processes.
While these key superoxide dismutase functions reveal the fundamental role of SOD in overall health, looking at this enzyme’s cosmetic properties also unveils outstanding properties. In fact, it must be noted how superoxide dismutase is the only enzymatic antioxidant that is able to react with superoxide radicals (O2•−), becoming one of the most powerful antioxidants available. Its anti-inflammatory properties and capacity for cellular repair have also been key to this enzyme’s wide-ranging use in cosmetics, including anti-aging treatments, moisturizers and sunscreens.
Lemon eco: a powerful ally for superoxide dismutase functions
Looking for enhanced efficacy of skincare products, it’s often worth examining the possibility to develop formulations that work synergistically. In the case of antioxidants, vitamins C stand out when it comes to providing comprehensive protection against a broad spectrum of free radicals.
It’s precisely in this context where lemon or Citrus limonum Risso (L.) Burm has been gaining attention. Used for both medicinal and cosmetic purposes in many traditions, the antioxidant activity of lemon extract is mainly due to its flavonoids and vitamin C content.
Vitamin C is an excellent endogenic antioxidant that, like SOD, is able to react directly with O2- and convert it into a no reactive species.
Comparing the superoxide dismutase functions with vitamin C is important to define that these two antioxidants act in different way: SOD is an enzymatic antioxidant, while vitamin C acts as a non-enzymatic agent. Antioxidant enzymes, like SOD, convert dangerous oxidative products to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and then to water, in a multi-step process in presence of cofactors such as copper, zinc, manganese, and iron (2H++ 2O−2 → O2 + H2O2). On the other hand, non-enzymatic antioxidants work by interrupting free radical chain reactions. In fact, vitamin C reacts with O2•− and •OH in the cytoplasm to become a vitamin C radical, which can then be naturally oxidized
Regardless Vitamin C’s mechanism of action, it also presents significant free radical scavenging activity, as well as other benefits such as photo-protective properties, neutralizing the radicals generated by UVB radiation.
In fact, the joint activity of flavonoids (also present in lemon) and vitamins has been proven to be a powerful antioxidant, anti-free radical and photoprotective agents, thus beneficial in reducing oxidative processes and effects of aging on the skin (Maia Campos, P.M. et al, 2006).
All in all, building on current movements such as the preference for familiar ingredients in cosmetics as well as advanced trends such as nutricosmetics, lemon becomes a compelling ally for brands looking to expand their antioxidant catalog as well as align with current consumer concerns.
In this context, natural ingredients such as Lemon eco by Provital provide a renewed perspective for science-backed antioxidant formulations.
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