Acmella oleracea extract increases collagen content and organization in partially transected tendons

Unconventional Edible Plants of the Amazon: Bioactive Compounds, Health Benefits, Challenges, and Future Trends

The pursuit of an improved quality of life is a major trend in the food market. This is driving the reformulation of the industry's product portfolio, with the aim of providing nourishment while also contributing to beneficial health metabolic processes. In this context, the use of local biodiversity and the recovery of the traditional knowledge associated with the consumption of vegetables that grow spontaneously in nature emerge as more sustainable and nutritionally adequate concepts. The Amazon region is known for its abundant biodiversity, housing numerous unconventional food plants whose nutritional and biological properties remain unknown due to a lack of research. Among the different species are Xanthosoma sagittifolium, Acmella oleracea, Talinum triangulare, Pereskia bleo, Bidens bipinnata, and Costus spiralis. These species contain bioactive compounds such as apigenin, syringic acid, spilanthol, and lutein, which provide various health benefits. There are few reports on the biological effects, nutritional composition, bioactive compounds, and market prospects for these species. Therefore, this review provides an overview of their nutritional contribution, bioactive compounds, health benefits, and current market, as well as the use of new technologies that can contribute to the development of functional products/ingredients derived from them.

A Single-Center Study Evaluating the Effects of a Topical Serum Combining Postbiotics, Peptides, and Botanical Extracts on Skin

Background

Aging, influenced by intrinsic and extrinsic factors, leads to visible skin changes such as dryness, surface roughness, and loss of luminosity. Proper skin care can mitigate some of these effects, with topical combination products offering support through complementary mechanisms.

Objectives

To test efficacy and safety of GSYBS-7 (Goop Beauty Youth-Boost Peptide Serum; Goop Inc., Santa Monica, CA), a topical postbiotic and botanical combination serum, used twice daily on facial skin for 6 weeks.

Methods

In this 19-patient pilot study, the primary efficacy measure was improvement on the Global Ranking Scale (GRS) at 42 days. A 12-point patient satisfaction survey and the serum's effect on healing after ablative laser treatment served as secondary and exploratory measures, respectively.

Results

Statistically significant improvements in all GRS domains were observed as early as day 7 with ongoing improvement up to day 42. A >1-point improvement was observed for dehydration (1.8; 95% CI, 1.5-2.2), visible pores (1.6; 95% CI, 1.3-2.0), surface roughness (1.6; 95% CI, 1.3-1.9), imbalance (1.3; 95% CI, .9-1.7), static wrinkles (1.3; 95% CI, .9-1.6), pigmentation (1.3; 95% CI, 1.0-1.5), and vasculature (1.2; 95% CI, .8-1.5). Independent photographic review and patient satisfaction surveys corroborated these findings. At day 42, 94.4% of patients were very satisfied with the results, and 88.9% would recommend GSYBS-7 to family and friends. No adverse events were reported, and 100% of patients indicated that GSYBS-7 was gentle enough for everyday use.

Conclusions

GSYBS-7 appears to be an effective and well-tolerated combination topical for the management of age-related and environment-induced skin changes.

Level of Evidence 4

Skin Ageing: A Progressive, Multi-Factorial Condition Demanding an Integrated, Multilayer-Targeted Remedy

Of the human organs, skin is the most visible one that displays the manifestations of ageing. It has a very intricate microanatomical structure and performs several key physiological functions. The pathophysiology of cutaneous ageing is characterized by deterioration of structural stability and functional integrity, implying a continuous reduction in maximal function and reserve capacity, as a result of the accumulating damage due to both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Elimination of unfavorable expressions associated with facial and cutaneous ageing is the key patient demand in aesthetic dermatology. Even though the progress has been made in nonsurgical therapies like fillers and lasers, non-invasive interventions by using skin care products designed for rejuvenation at an early stage are the most popular and accessible solution among people. In this review, we have scrutinized the ageing-associated cutaneous changes at molecular, cellular and tissue levels. To optimize the ageing process towards a healthy skin, we propose an integrated, multilayer-targeted intervention, which involves both topical application of anti-ageing formulations from outside and oral supplementation from inside. Additionally, several promising naturally derived ingredients are reviewed from an anti-aging perspective. Most of them possess various bioactivities and may contribute to the development of the mentioned anti-ageing remedy.

A Review of the Chemistry and Biological Activities of Acmella oleracea ("jambù", Asteraceae), with a View to the Development of Bioinsecticides and Acaricides

Human pathologies, environmental pollution, and resistance phenomena caused by the intensive use of chemical pesticides have shifted the attention of the agrochemical industries towards eco-friendly insecticides and acaricides. Acmella oleracea (L.) R. K. Jansen (jambù) is a plant native to South America, widely distributed and cultivated in many countries due to its numerous pharmacological properties. This review analyzes literature about the plant, its uses, and current knowledge regarding insecticidal and acaricidal activity. Acmella oleracea has proven to be a potential pesticide candidate against several key arthropod pest and vector species. This property is inherent to its essential oil and plant extract, which contain spilanthol, the main representative of N-alkylamides. As a result, there is a scientific basis for the industrial exploitation of jambù in the preparation of green insecticides. However, studies related to its toxicity towards non-target species and those aimed at formulating and developing marketable products are lacking.