Background. Ovariectomy accelerates age-related skin changes since adequate estrogen levels are required to control structural integrity and functional capacity of skin. Genistein, a soy-derived isoflavone, has been tested in anti-aging cosmetic preparations with interesting results on skin elasticity, photoaging and skin cancer prevention.

Aim 

We investigated the effects of genistein aglycone compared with systemic raloxifene hydrochloride and 17-alpha-ethinylestradiol on skin changes in aged ovariectomized (OVX) rats.

Methods 

Six months after ovariectomy, rats were randomized and treated, daily, with genistein aglycone (1 and 10 mg/kg/s.c.) or raloxifene hydrochloride (0.05 and 0.5 mg/kg/s.c.) or 17-alpha-ethinylestradiol (0.003 and 0.03 mg/kg/s.c.) for 12 weeks. Controls were untreated OVX and sham OVX rats. At the end of treatment, skin biopsy was carried out and skin samples were tested for molecular and histological measurements.

Results 

OVX rats showed a decrease in TGF-beta1, VEGF, MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP/MMP ratio compared to sham OVX (p<0.001). All treatments significantly modified the depressed molecular profile revealed in OVX rats. Genistein aglycone at the dose of 1 mg/kg also increased the thickness of sub-epithelial layer and collagen fibers in reticular dermis (p<0.001).

Conclusions 

These results suggest that genistein aglycone might be a reliable therapeutic option for the management of age-related skin changes among postmenopausal women.