Antioxidant Capacity, Atopic Dermatitis, Eczema, Fatigue Symptom, Oxidative Stress, Skin Health, Sleep Quality
Conditions
Keywords
NPQ Plus, Nutraceutical, Skin Health, Atopic Dermatitis, Antioxidant Status, Oxidative Stress, Fatigue, Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN), Pyrroloquinoline Quinone (PQQ), Coenzyme Q10, Oligonol
Brief summary
This study evaluated the effects of NPQ Plus supplementation on skin health, antioxidant status, fatigue, and self-perceived well-being in healthy adults with skin concerns. NPQ Plus is a multi-component nutraceutical formulation containing polyphenols (Oligonol®), nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN; RevAge®), pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ; PureQQ®), coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), and a trace mineral complex (Ioniplex), which are known to possess antioxidant and cellular protective properties. This was a single-arm, open-label, prospective interventional study involving 55 participants. Subjects consumed one sachet of NPQ Plus daily for 12 weeks. Assessments were performed at baseline and at Weeks 4, 8, and 12. Skin health was evaluated using the Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM), visual analogue scale (VAS), and objective skin biophysical measurements including skin elasticity, hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), pigmentation, inflammation, and sebum secretion. Antioxidant status was assessed by measuring total antioxidant capacity (TAOC), malondialdehyde (MDA), 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT), and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). Fatigue symptoms and self-perceived improvements in skin health, sleep quality, and overall well-being were also evaluated.
Detailed description
Skin aging is influenced by intrinsic aging processes and environmental stressors, including ultraviolet radiation, pollution, and oxidative stress. These factors contribute to impaired skin barrier function, reduced hydration and elasticity, inflammation, pigmentation changes, and increased oxidative damage to lipids, proteins, and DNA. Nutraceutical supplementation containing antioxidant and mitochondrial-supporting bioactive compounds has emerged as a potential strategy to mitigate these changes by enhancing endogenous antioxidant defenses and supporting cellular repair mechanisms. NPQ Plus is a multi-component nutritional supplement comprising polyphenols (Oligonol®), nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN; RevAge®), pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ; PureQQ®), coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), and a trace mineral complex (Ioniplex). These ingredients have been reported to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and mitochondrial-supportive properties that may improve skin condition, reduce oxidative stress, and alleviate fatigue. This completed study employed a single-arm, open-label, prospective interventional design. Fifty-five healthy adults with skin concerns were enrolled and instructed to consume one sachet of NPQ Plus daily for 12 weeks. Clinical assessments were conducted at baseline and after 4, 8, and 12 weeks of supplementation. The primary evaluations included objective skin biophysical measurements using the Multiprobe Adapter (MPA) system, consisting of skin elasticity (Cutometer®), skin hydration (Corneometer®), transepidermal water loss (Tewameter®), skin inflammation and pigmentation (Mexameter®), and sebum secretion (Sebumeter®). Patient-reported skin outcomes were assessed using the Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM), visual analogue scale (VAS), and self-perceived improvements in skin health. Systemic antioxidant status and oxidative damage were evaluated using saliva biomarkers, including total antioxidant capacity (TAOC), malondialdehyde (MDA), 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT), and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). Fatigue was assessed using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-Fatigue) Scale, while participants also reported changes in sleep quality and overall well-being. The study aimed to characterize longitudinal changes following NPQ Plus supplementation across multiple domains, including skin health, antioxidant status, fatigue symptoms, and participant-reported outcomes, over the 12-week intervention period.
Interventions
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTNPQ Plus
NPQ Plus is a dietary supplement containing Oligonol® (polyphenols), nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN; RevAge®), pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ; PureQQ®), coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), and a trace mineral complex (Ioniplex). Participants consumed one sachet orally once daily for 12 weeks.
Sponsors
N REMEDIER (M) SDN BHD
UCSI University
JScience Consultancy PLT
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
This was a single-arm, open-label, prospective interventional study evaluating the effects of NPQ Plus supplementation on skin health, antioxidant status, fatigue, and self-perceived well-being. Participants consumed one sachet of NPQ Plus daily for 12 weeks. Assessments were conducted at baseline and at Weeks 4, 8, and 12 to evaluate changes in skin biophysical parameters, antioxidant biomarkers, fatigue, and participant-reported outcomes.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
40 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Experiencing at least one skin concern (e.g., itchiness, dryness, roughness, flaking, or skin cracking) within the previous 3 months. * Willing and able to consume one sachet of NPQ Plus daily for 12 weeks. * Willing to attend all scheduled study visits and assessments. * Able to understand the study procedures and provide written informed consent.
Exclusion criteria
* Consumption of dietary supplements intended to improve skin health within the previous 3 months. * Pregnant or breastfeeding women. * Known allergy or hypersensitivity to any ingredient in NPQ Plus. * Presence of any medical condition or concurrent medication that, in the opinion of the investigator, could interfere with study participation or outcome assessments. * Participation in another clinical study within the previous 3 months. * Unable or unwilling to comply with the study protocol.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Skin Elasticity | Baseline, Week 4, Week 8, and Week 12 | Skin elasticity was measured using the Cutometer® (MPA580, Courage \& Khazaka, Germany). Measurements were obtained from the left cheek, right inner forearm, and dorsal neck under standardized environmental conditions. Three consecutive readings were recorded at each site and the mean value was used for analysis. Higher values indicate greater skin elasticity. |
| Skin Hydration | Baseline, Week 4, Week 8, and Week 12 | Skin hydration was assessed using the Corneometer® CM825. Measurements were obtained from the left cheek, right inner forearm, and dorsal neck. Three readings were averaged for each anatomical site. Higher values indicate greater skin hydration. |
| Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL) | Baseline, Week 4, Week 8, and Week 12 | Skin barrier function was evaluated by measuring transepidermal water loss using the Tewameter® TM300. Measurements were performed under standardized environmental conditions. Lower values indicate improved skin barrier integrity. |
| Skin Inflammation | Baseline, Week 4, Week 8, and Week 12 | Skin inflammation was assessed using the erythema index measured by the Mexameter® MX18. Lower erythema values indicate reduced skin inflammation. |
| Skin Pigmentation | Baseline, Week 4, Week 8, and Week 12 | Skin pigmentation was evaluated using the melanin index measured by the Mexameter® MX18. Changes in melanin index were assessed throughout the intervention. |
| Sebum Secretion | Baseline, Week 4, Week 8, and Week 12 | Sebum secretion was measured using the Sebumeter® SM815. Three measurements were obtained and averaged for each assessment site. Higher values indicate greater sebum production. |
| Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM) | Baseline, Week 4, Week 8, and Week 12 | Skin symptoms were assessed using the Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM), a validated patient-reported questionnaire evaluating eczema severity over the previous week. Lower scores indicate less severe symptoms. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAOC) | Baseline, Week 4, Week 8, and Week 12 | Total antioxidant capacity was determined from saliva samples using a ferric reducing antioxidant capacity (FRAC) assay. Higher values indicate greater antioxidant capacity. |
| Malondialdehyde (MDA) | Baseline, Week 4, Week 8, and Week 12 | Lipid oxidative damage was assessed by measuring salivary malondialdehyde (MDA). Lower concentrations indicate reduced lipid peroxidation. |
| 3-Nitrotyrosine (3-NT) | Baseline, Week 4, Week 8, and Week 12 | Protein oxidative damage was assessed by measuring salivary 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT), a biomarker of protein nitration. Lower concentrations indicate reduced protein oxidative damage. |
| 8-Hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) | Baseline, Week 4, Week 8, and Week 12 | Oxidative DNA damage was assessed by measuring salivary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). Lower concentrations indicate reduced oxidative DNA damage. |
| Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-Fatigue) | Baseline, Week 4, Week 8, and Week 12 | Fatigue severity was assessed using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-Fatigue) questionnaire. Lower scores indicate lower fatigue severity. |
| Self-perceived Outcomes | Baseline, Week 4, Week 8, and Week 12 | Participants rated their overall skin health, skin itchiness and sleep quality using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Ten indicate the best possible outcome, and zero indicate the worst possible outcome. |
Countries
Malaysia
Contacts
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORChung Keat Tan, PhD
UCSI University
Outcome results
None listed