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Copyright @ Pol J Cosmetol
Pol J Cosmetol 2017, 20(3): 222-227pl  Caffeine - properties, metabolism and its use in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industryWiktoria Duchnik, Joanna Zielonka-Brzezicka, Anna Nowak, Adam Klimowicz Katedra i Zakład Chemii Kosmetycznej i Farmaceutycznej Pomorskiego Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Szczecinie Summary Coffee, which is one of the natural raw materials used in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries, comes from Ethiopia, where this fruit was discovered. Caffeine contained in coffee beans is a white powder with a bitter taste. It does not accumulate in the body due to rapid cascade metabolism in the liver to form paraxanthine, theobromine and theophylline. Its consumption could reduces the activity of inflammatory cells, stimulates the secretion of gastric juice and leads to the relaxation of smooth muscle. Caffeine can also be used to support obesity treatment, regarding the fact its combination with ephedrine and leptin can influence the fat cells metabolism. Caffeine also supports the treatment of hypotension, including orthostatic form, as well as circulatory collapse and syncope. In addition to stimulating effects of caffeine after ingestion, this substance appears increasingly in cosmetic formulations. When it comes to that, the beneficial anti-cellulite properties were found. Moreover, it could create a UV protective complex so an increased intake of caffeine could reduce the risk of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. Due to the growing interest of the impact of caffeine on the skin the numerous studies of its penetration through the human and animal skin as well as artificial membranes are conducted. The aim of such study is to evaluate how the type of formulation, gel or emulsion, can influence the penetration degree of substances into the skin. Studies on the properties of caffeine can lead to its more extensive use as a valuable active ingredient of cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations. Key words: caffeine, metabolism, cosmetics, 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine |