Several theories have been proposed to account for age‐related changes in cell functioning and physiological capability.
The “Free radical theory of aging” was propounded several decades ago by Prof. Harman in 1956. Recent scientific evidence validates the supportive role of dietary interventions in healthy aging and longevity.
Free radicals are the molecules with one or more unpaired electrons; they seek stability by taking electrons from other molecules (a process called oxidation). As a consequence, free radicals damage the molecules from which they take electrons, leading to cell damage, impaired functioning, and even cell death. The prime molecules in the body that are damaged by free radicals are DNA, lipids, and proteins.
A bioactive that has the capacity to scavenge the free radicals formed, is regarded as an antioxidant.
Saberry® is proven to have a significant antioxidant potential
Amla extract offers broad-spectrum protection against heavy metals
Amla extract helps protect the skin from the damaging effects of free radicals and heavy metal‐induced oxidative stress.
Several animal studies have shown that amla can help prevent a toxic build-up of heavy metals caused by frequent exposure to metals like aluminium, lead, and nickel. When vitamin C alone was used, equivalent to that found in amla fruit only partial protection from heavy metals was provided.
A standardized extract of Phyllanthus emblica was found to have a long-lasting and broad-spectrum antioxidant activity. The product has no pro‐oxidation activity induced by iron and/or copper because of its iron and copper chelating ability. These play a significant role in the use of Amla extract in anti-aging formulations.
Amla has even been proven to almost completely prevent DNA and cell damage from arsenic poisoning.
In laboratory tests done on animals, it was also shown to prevent cellular damage resulting from lead, aluminum, nickel, cadmium, and chromium toxicity.
Amla extract and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)
With increasing age, collagen synthesis becomes lower and MMP-1 levels become higher in naturally aged human skin, and these alterations cause changes such as skin wrinkling and loss of elasticity (Varani et al., 2000). Therefore, control of collagen metabolism may be useful for a variety of therapeutic and cosmetic applications.
Fujii et al., 2008 demonstrated that amla extract increased Procollagen type I C-Peptide (PIP) and Tissue Inhibitor of MetalloProteinase-1 (TIMP-1) production, and decreased MMP-1 production, concomitant with elevated mitochondrial activity in the fibroblast, in a concentration-dependent manner.
The above study has shown that Amla extract helps elevate the mitochondrial activity of human skin fibroblasts and promotes the production of procollagen. Thus, it has a number of potential cosmetic applications, particularly as an anti-aging ingredient.