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Sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.), an oilseed native to the Peruvian rainforest, has garnered attention for its valuable components and its potential applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical industries. Sacha inchi oil is rich in fatty acids, particularly omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9, along with antioxidants such as tocopherols, which collectively contribute to cardiovascular health, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and neuroprotective effects. The susceptibility of the oil to oxidation poses significant challenges for both storage and processing, making it essential to employ microencapsulation technologies to preserve its integrity and extend shelf life. This paper aims to provide a review of the therapeutic potential, extraction methods, and microencapsulation strategies for enhancing the oil's stability and bioavailability. Optimizing both extraction processes and encapsulation strategies would enhance the oil's stability and bioavailability, enabling it to be more effectively utilized in functional foods and therapeutic applications across the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reactive oxygen species (ROS), commonly recognized as free radicals, significantly contribute to skin damage by disrupting defense and repair mechanisms, thereby accelerating the aging process. An effective strategy to prevent and alleviate skin aging involves the application of topical formulations enriched with powerful antioxidant compounds. Sacha inchi oil (Plukenetia volubilis L.) has been reported to possess significant antioxidant activity, while its oil contains a high content of omega-3 fatty acids, offering potential anti-aging benefits. This study aims to evaluate the stability, in vitro anti-aging activity, and skin irritation assessments of a facial serum containing Sacha inchi oil (SIO) formulated as a topical anti-aging agent. The stability of the serum was assessed by analyzing its organoleptic properties, homogeneity, viscosity, spreadability, pH, microbial contamination, and heavy metal content over a three-month period under controlled climatic conditions. The in vitro anti-aging activity was evaluated through enzyme inhibition assays for neutrophil elastase and collagenase, while skin irritation was assessed via human patch testing. The results indicated that the SIO facial serum exhibits excellent stability, significant anti-aging activity, and is safe for topical application, with no irritant effects observed during skin irritation assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reactive oxygen species (ROS), commonly known as free radicals, induced by UV radiation can compromise the dermal structure, leading to a loss of skin elasticity and subsequent wrinkle formation. A promising strategy to prevent and mitigate skin aging involves the use of topical formulations with potent antioxidant properties. Secondary metabolites such as astaxanthin and zeaxanthin are known for their robust antioxidant activities, which surpass those of tocopherol, offering significant benefits for skin health and protection against UV-induced damage. These properties suggest their potential application in anti-aging products. This study aims to evaluate the stability, ex vivo penetration, and in vivo efficacy of a radiance serum containing an astaxanthin–zeaxanthin nanoemulsion (AZ-NE) designed as an anti-wrinkle agent for topical application. The research was conducted in four stages: production of the astaxanthin–zeaxanthin nanoemulsion (AZ-NE), formulation of the AZ-NE radiance serum, stability, and efficacy testing. In this study, the formulated radiance serum demonstrated stability over three months under specified storage conditions. Ex vivo penetration studies indicated efficient diffusion of the active ingredients, with astaxanthin showing a penetration rate of 25.95%/cm2 and zeaxanthin at 20.80%/cm2 after 120 min. In vivo irritation tests conducted on human subjects revealed no adverse effects. Moreover, the serum exhibited substantial anti-wrinkle efficacy, with 15 female participants experiencing a wrinkle reduction of 80% to 93% over a 28-day period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]