Bioactives → Vitamin E

What is Vitamin E?

The vitamin E family, comprising eight naturally occurring isomers, exhibits potent antioxidant properties. These isomers, collectively referred to as tocols, include four saturated analogs (α, β, γ, and δ) called tocopherols, and four unsaturated analogs (α, β, γ, and δ) referred to as tocotrienols [1]. Their lipid-soluble nature facilitates seamless integration into cell membranes, where they act as effective chain-breaking antioxidants. This characteristic enables tocopherols and tocotrienols to neutralise oxidative stress and contribute to maintaining cellular health, particularly in immune-mediated skin disorders and radiation-induced skin damage.

Antioxidant Properties

Oxidative stress, marked by an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants, poses a barrier to the wound-healing process. Vitamin E interacts directly with free radicals by donating phenolic hydrogens to the peroxyl radicals in cell membranes, converting them into more stable, nonradical products [2]. This process inhibits the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), positioning vitamin E as a key protector against lipid peroxidation.

By preventing cellular damage, vitamin E fosters an environment favourable for optimal wound healing [2]. Its antioxidant properties also extend beyond wound healing, providing a protective barrier against environmental damage — particularly in offering protection against skin aging and the deleterious effects of UV radiation [3].

Immunomodulation

The intricate interplay between oxidative stress and the pathogenesis of immune-mediated skin disorders positions vitamin E as a compelling immunomodulator [4]. Through its interaction with peroxyl radicals within immune cell membranes, vitamin E mitigates the oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids, preventing subsequent cellular damage [5].

This mechanistic understanding resonates with existing literature, which underscores the affirmative role of vitamin E in immune-mediated skin disorders, including atopic dermatitis and psoriasis [4–6].

Radioprotective Effect

Vitamin E has demonstrated radioprotective effects in various studies [2,7–9], highlighting its ability to neutralise the ionising effects of radiation on the skin. It also stimulates the production of radioprotective growth factors and cytokines [2,9], while playing a key role in maintaining skin hydration [3].

In 2022, a randomised controlled trial found that nanoencapsulated vitamin E helped prevent radiodermatitis in breast cancer patients undergoing external radiotherapy by delaying its onset and alleviating symptoms such as mild inframammary erythema [10]. These findings reinforce vitamin E’s role as a potent antioxidant in protecting skin from radiation-induced damage.

References

1. Thiele J, Ekanayake-Mudiyanselage S. Vitamin E in human skin: organ-specific physiology and considerations for its use in dermatology. Molecular Aspects of Medicine. 2007;28(5–6):646–667.

2. Singh VK, Beattie LA, Seed TM. Vitamin E: tocopherols and tocotrienols as potential radiation countermeasures. J Radiat Res. 2013 Nov 1;54(6):973–88.

3. Ghazali NI, Mohd Rais RZ, Makpol S, Chin KY, Yap WN, Goon JA. Effects of tocotrienol on aging skin: A systematic review. Front Pharmacol. 2022 Oct 10;13:1006198.

4. Medovic MV, Jakovljevic VL, Zivkovic VI, Jeremic NS, Jeremic JN, Bolevich SB, et al. Psoriasis between autoimmunity and oxidative stress: changes induced by different therapeutic approaches. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity. 2022.

5. Lee GY, Han SN. The role of vitamin E in immunity. Nutrients. 2018;10(11):1614.

6. Berardesca E, Cameli N. Vitamin E supplementation in inflammatory skin diseases. Dermatol Ther. 2021 Nov;34(6):e15160.

7. Ghosh SP, Kulkarni S, Hieber K, Toles R, Romanyukha L, Kao TC, et al. Gamma-tocotrienol, a tocol antioxidant as a potent radioprotector. Int J Radiat Biol. 2009;85(7):598–606.

8. Compadre CM, Singh A, Thakkar S, Zheng G, Breen PJ, Ghosh S, et al. Molecular dynamics guided design of tocoflexol: a new radioprotectant tocotrienol with enhanced bioavailability. Drug Dev Res. 2014;75(1):10–22.

9. Nukala U, Thakkar S, Krager KJ, Breen PJ, Compadre CM, Aykin-Burns N. Antioxidant tocols as radiation countermeasures (challenges to be addressed to use tocols as radiation countermeasures in humans). Antioxidants. 2018;7(2):33.

10. Queiroz SFM, Serna GCV, Mattar RC, Lopes LB, Santos MF, Santos VLCG. Topical application of a cream containing nanoparticles with vitamin E for radiodermatitis prevention in women with breast cancer: A randomized, triple-blind, controlled pilot trial. Eur J Oncol Nurs. 2022 Dec;61:102230.