Effects of a Mixed Herbal and Fruit Dietary Supplement Shot on Antioxidant Status, Oxidative Stress Parameters, Skin Parameters, and Safety Profiles in Middle-Aged Women: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND

Middle-aged women experience hormonal fluctuations and reproductive transitions that accelerate menopausal symptoms, tissue degeneration, and skin aging due to an imbalance between antioxidant defenses and reactive oxygen species. Enhancing antioxidant defenses may mitigate oxidative stress and maintain skin health.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a mixed herbal and fruit dietary supplement shot (HERB) on antioxidant status, oxidative stress, skin assessments, and safety profiles in middle-aged women over 12 wk.

METHODS

In this 12-wk randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 30 participants received either HERB or placebo (PLA). Primary outcomes were antioxidant status and oxidative stress parameters. Skin parameters and safety profiles were also assessed. Data were analyzed using intention-to-treat and per-protocol approaches. Between-group comparisons were conducted using analysis of covariance adjusted for baseline or Student's t-tests.

RESULTS

At week 12, the HERB intervention significantly increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (mean difference = 7.99 U/L; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.29, 14.70; P value = 0.0212) and reduced porphyrin intensity (mean difference = -44.56; 95% CI: -76.06, -13.60; P value = 0.0073) compared with PLA. Other antioxidants, oxidative stress, and skin parameters showed no significant changes. Safety profiles remained within reference ranges. Gastrointestinal disturbance occurred more frequently in the PLA group (8 participants in the PLA group compared with 1 participant in the HERB group, P value = 0.0142). Menstrual disturbances occurred equally (3 participants per group). All adverse events were mild and self-resolved without any medical treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Intervention with HERB for 12 wk resulted in higher SOD activity and lower facial porphyrin intensity when compared with PLA, whereas the other measured antioxidant and skin parameters did not differ between groups. The intervention was well tolerated. These findings should be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size and the limited extent of observed effects. Larger and longer trials are required to confirm these results. This clinical trial was registered at Thai Clinical Trials Registry as TCTR20241103003.