PhytoScience - Article

HA (Hyaluronic Acid)

 

If you are looking for the elixir of life here’s the solution for you- Hyaluronic acid. Across the globe, Hyaluronic acid is gaining popularity as the “magic formula” to defy the aging process.

Hyaluronic acid takes its name from the Greek word ‘hyalos’ meaning ‘glass’ signifying its transparent appearance. Hyaluronic acid was first used for commercial purpose in 1942 when Endre Balazs applied for a patent to use it as a substitute for egg white in bakery products.

The widespread popularity of Hyaluronic acid began with the historic findings on the “age defying process” of the inhabitants of a small village called Yuzuri Hara outside Tokyo. It was seen that the high levels of glycosaminoglycan in their body came from the local root vegetables and starches in their diet. This provided the essential moisture for the skin and body processes due to which they had smoother skin, bright eyes and general good health. A pharmaceutical firm in Japan decided to utilize the findings to develop Hyaluronic pills as anti-aging supplements and the rest as they say is history! Now Hyaluronic acid has become the new buzzword in the cosmetic industry. 

The factors that are found to influence the Hyaluronic acid levels in the body include age, diet, genes and environmental factors. In certain cases the genetic inheritance is seen responsible for the decreased levels of Hyaluronic acid in the body. Certain illnesses too play a part in upsetting the natural levels of Hyaluronic acid level. Perhaps the greatest danger to the diminishing levels of Hyaluronic acid stems from environmental factors such as the presence of nutrients like ascorbic acid and the lack of magnesium and zinc affect the Hyaluronic acid levels. The chemicals contained in cigarette smoke are also believed to a major source of Hyaluronic acid degradation.

Hyaluronic Acid, also known as Hyaluronan or Hyaluronate is a mucopolysaccharide, a gelatinous material that occurs naturally and extensively in the human body, especially in the tissue spaces, the synovial fluid of joints and the vitreous humor of the eyes. It functions as a binding and protecting agent in tissue hydration and lubrication. By supplementing the natural levels of glycosaminoglycan in the human body, Hyaluronic acid serves as a major ingredient in anti-aging therapies, medical treatments and as nutritional supplements. 

The purest forms of Hyaluronic acid are available in the market as supplements and other Hyaluronic acid products. The Hyaluronic acid in these products is derived from an extra cellular protein produced by bacteria. 

Hyaluronic acid products help to combat and remedy symptoms related to connective tissue disorders like fractures, glaucoma, osteoarthritis etc. Products containing Hyaluronic acid are also used for vocal cord insufficiency, wrinkled skin, cartilage damage and wound and ligament healing. Although there is an existing medical debate over the efficiency of Hyaluronic acid treatment osteoarthritis, physicians across the globe have been administering Hyaluronic injections to osteoarthritic patients for the past two decades with perceivable positive results. 

Proported Uses

  • Anti-aging
  • Ostioarthritis
  • Glaucoma
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Sleep disorders
  • Wound and ligament healing

Mechanism of Action

Hyaluronic acid is concentrated mostly in human cartilage, extra cellular matrix and skin. The high concentrations of Hyaluronic acid in human cartilage supplies strength and flexibility to the body. Hyaluronic acid is also a vital component of synovial fluid, which carries nutrients to human cartilage. Hyaluronic acid is also responsible for the smooth flow of nutrients and metabolic waste through the extra-cellular matrix by providing lubrication. Hyaluronic acid present in the dermis and epidermis lends the essential moisture to the skin keeping the skin free from becoming dry, brittle and wrinkled.

Hyaluronic acid is an indispensable factor in the human body. Hyaluronic acid enables the retention of water in the skin and thus provides the essential moisture, which keeps the skin smooth and wrinkle free and also lubricates the various body processes. It checks cell migration and also strengthens the immune system by activating the white blood cells. Hyaluronic acid is also believed to diminish the chronic bronchitis infections and various bacterial infections. In short, it helps battle everything from sexual dysfunction to sleep problems. 

Hyaluronic acid supplements reinforce the natural supply of Hyaluronic acid levels in the human body. 

Adverse Reactions

Reported: none

Interactions

Reported: none

Clinical Summary

Hyaluronic acid is a mucopolysaccharide largely present as a constituent in body fluids and tissues; it is also found at high concentration in the vitreous humour of the eye, in the synovial fluid of the joints and in the umbilical cord.

It is medically proven that the depletion of Hyaluronic acid in the skin results in the decreased moisture in the skin, which leads to thinning and wrinkling of the skin. Nutritional supplements and beauty products like creams with high levels of Hyaluronic acid are a boon to those who want to resist aging and even premature aging. The ultra-high presence of Hyaluronic acid in these products increase the Hyaluronic acid synthesis and replenishes the much needed moisture concentrating from the deeper layers (dermis) to the outer layers (epidermis). 

Studies reveal that Japanese scientists have developed an enzyme-cleaving technique, which helps to lower the molecular weight of Hyaluronic acid without tampering with its chemical nature. This makes it easier to take Hyaluronic acid orally as a nutritional supplement. Facial injections using Hyaluronic acid based gel injections administered by dermatologists are seen these days as a quick remedy for the treatment of facial wrinkles.

References

  1. The Effect of Intraaricular Knee Injections of Hyaluronic Acid (HA) on Bone and Cartilaginous Debris, as a Therapeutic Indicator Assaf-Harofeh Medical Center Ferring Pharmaceuticals, NCT00422643
  2. Science Meets Beauty: Using Medicine to Improve Appearances. Carol Rados, FDA Consumer magazine.
  3. Osteoarthritis research of Hyaluronic Acid. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), within the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
  4. Endoscopic treatment of vesicoureteric reflux with Deflux: a Canadian experience. Guerra LA, Khanna P, Levasseur M, Pike JG, Leonard MP. Division of Pediatric Urology, Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario and the University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ont.
  5. Design of graded biomimetic osteochondral composite scaffolds. Tampieri A, Sandri M, Landi E, Pressato D, Francioli S, Quarto R, Martin I. Institute of Science and Technology for Ceramic, National Research Council, Via Granarolo 64, Faenza 48018, Italy.
  6. Reticulated hyaluronic acid implant (SK-GEL) dislocated into anterior chamber for 10 months. Qing G, Wang N. 1Department of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, P.R.China.
  7. Rheological properties of the vitreous and the role of hyaluronic acid. Nickerson CS, Park J, Kornfield JA, Karageozian H. Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Chemical Engineering 210-41, 1200 E. California Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.
  8. The effect of hyaluronic acid on IL-1beta-induced chondrocyte apoptosis in a rat model of osteoarthritis. Zhou PH, Liu SQ, Peng H. Department of Orthopedics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Ziyang Road 99, Wuchang District, Wuhan City 430060, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China.
  9. Fillers for postsurgical depressed scars after skin cancer reconstruction. Kasper DA, Cohen JL, Saxena A, Morganroth GS. Frankford Hospital, Jefferson Healthcare System, Langhorne, PA, USA.
  10. Hyaluronic acid gel fillers in the management of facial aging. Brandt FS, Cazzaniga A. Dermatology Research Institute, Coral Gables, FL, USA.
  11. Operative treatment of female urinary incontinence with particular consideration of sexuality according to anatomical findings. [Article in German] Otto T, Bornemeyer K, Bagner JW, El-Baz AG, Wishahi M, Otto W. Städtische Kliniken Lukaskrankenhaus GmbH, Preussenstrasse 84, 41464 Neuss. thomas_otto@lukasneuss.de
  12. Effects of glans penis augmentation using hyaluronic acid gel for premature ejaculation. Kim JJ, Kwak TI, Jeon BG, Cheon J, Moon DG. Department of Urology, Korea University College of Medicine, Sungbuk-ku, Seoul, Korea.

Disclaimer:
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Any product mentioned is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.