The Science
Discover the science and technology behind GliSODin®
GliSODin® is the first orally stable, bioactive form of superoxide dismutase (SOD). It is extracted from the French melon, Cucumis melo. Found in all living species, SOD is also known as the ‘enzyme of life’, as it provides important antioxidant defenses at the cellular level. The patented GliSODin® technology is comprised of a delivery system derived from gliadin that enables the SOD enzyme to reach the small intestine intact, where it can be more effectively absorbed by the body. GliSODin® is the only bioavailable nutricosmetic that increases the body’s natural production of the SOD enzyme.
While essential for life, oxygen is also a very reactive molecule. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) – commonly known as ‘free radicals’ – are created from oxygen. These molecules are very unstable and can cause significant damage at the cellular level.
When there is an imbalance of ROS and available antioxidants to neutralize their harmful effects, oxidative stress occurs. Oxidative stress is linked to inflammation: a primary cause of many degenerative diseases, aging changes, and a host of skin conditions such as rosacea, acne, psoriasis, and eczema.
Under normal physiological conditions, particularly in our youth, a balance between free radicals and the body’s antioxidant defenses exists naturally. The body addresses oxidative stress through an internal antioxidant system that is comprised of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx).
However, a variety of factors – including pollution, the natural progression of aging, and exposure to ultraviolet radiation – can increase the production of ROS like superoxide ion (O2-) and lead to oxidative stress.
A particularly dangerous ROS called Superoxide anion radical (O₂°¯) can cause a cascade reaction of free-radical production, leading to DNA damage, disease, and aging. The most effective defense against superoxide anion radical is the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD). GliSODin Skin Nutrients has developed the only orally-stable form of SOD in order to improve the body’s capacity to combat oxidative stress.
Oral administration of SOD has been very limited due to the instability of the enzyme. Early clinical data was provided by bovine-sourced SOD and administered by intramuscular injections, which proved to be effective. However, this is no longer viable due to BSE (mad cow disease).
Since its discovery in 1968, SOD has been labeled as the ‘enzyme of life’ for its essential role in defending cells against oxidative stress. The challenge of developing an effective oral form of SOD was met by Isocell France in 1998 with the creation of GliSODin®. By protecting the SOD enzyme with a gliadin biopolymer layer, the former remains intact and active after being exposed to stomach acids.
Nutritionists and health experts acclaim the virtues of eating super foods that are rich in antioxidants in order to ward off disease. While eating a healthy diet comprised of nutrient-dense foods is highly beneficial to health and well-being, the antioxidant protection provided by secondary antioxidants such as vitamin C, green tea, berries, and resveratrol is limited. This is due to the fact that a single molecule of any of these substances is only capable of neutralizing a single free radical.
As a primary antioxidant enzyme, GliSODin® has the ability to neutralize free radicals at rate of one SOD molecule to one million free radicals; making it the most effective means of combating oxidative stress.
Clinical Studies Archive
Discover the research that demonstrates the scientifically-proven health benefits of SOD and GliSODin®.
Our Anti-Aging/Dermal Formula, containing GliSODin®, a bioactive form of SOD (superoxide dismutase), helped improve the effect of Retinol used for treating fine lines and wrinkles, repairing photo-damaged skin, and increasing moisture and elasticity. See clinical trial here.
Oxidative stress is known to be a risk factor of atherothrombosis (1-2). A number of studies have attempted to demonstrate the efficacy of anti-oxidants in primary prevention of this condition (3). The recent introduction of ultrasonography-B for the detection of the early stages of arterial damage is a major advance for detecting the preclinical stages of atherothrombotic disease (4-5). It is now possible to identify and study populations at risk, have a precise appreciation of their anti-oxidant status, measure the intima/media thickness of their carotid arteries (6), and evaluate the effects of the anti-oxidant supplementation with GliSODin, the first orally effective SOD (7-11). View PDF here.
GliSODin® has already demonstrated activation properties on the principal internal antioxidants, in particular Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Catalase and Glutathione Peroxidase. The purpose of this trial was to assess its efficacy in solar prevention and protection. View PDF here.
Open study sponsored by ISOCELL Nutra, France. Conducted in France on 150 patients by 40 dermatologists following a protocol compiled by Catherine Laverdet, M.D., Nadine Pomarede, M.D. and Catherine Oliveres-Ghouti, M.D. View PDF here.
The present studywas conducted to evaluate in vitro and in vivo the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of a cantaloupe melon (Cucumis melo LC., Cucurbitaceae) extract (CME) selected for its high superoxide dismutase activity. Peritoneal macrophages were pre-activated in vitro with 300 IU of interferon- (IFN-) and were then challenged in culture with IgGl/anti-IgG1 immune complexes (IgG1IC) in presence of various CME extracts. The subsequent production of free radicals (superoxide anion, nitric oxide, and peroxynitrite) and of pro-(TNF-) and anti-(IL-10) inflammatory cytokines was evaluated. View PDF here.
While integrity is essential to confer a pharmacological effect to active enzymes when administered to the oral route, proteins often show a poor bio-availability because they are rapidly eliminated from the alimentary canal before absorption. In order to avoid this problem we evaluated the propensity of a combination of melon SOD extract (Cucumis melo.L.C) with wheat gliadin (Triticum vulgare) to be orally effective compared to the melon SOD extract alone. View PDF here.
The purpose of this technical publication is to review and update the scientific health benefits reported, for the enzyme Superoxide Dismutase, which is extracted from a cantaloupe melon and delivered in combination with wheat gliadin known as GliSODin®. Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) constitutes part of the body’s front line in antioxidant defenses, helping to maintain the physiological oxidant-antioxidant balance. However, this balance can be disrupted by a number of factors that include aging, smoking, pollution, exposure to sunlight, high intensity exercise, infection and the subsequent immune response. The body experiences oxidative stress under these types of conditions, which has been linked to the increased risk of chronic disease. View PDF here.