The concentration-dependent effect of anethole on collagen, MMP-2 and GAG in human skin fibroblast cultures

Croton grewioides essential oil and anethole reduce oxidative stress and improve growth of bovine primordial follicles during culture of ovarian tissue

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to evaluate the effects of Croton grewioides essential oil (CGEO) and anethole on follicle survival, growth, and oxidative stress in cultured bovine ovarian tissues.

METHODS

Ovarian tissues were cultured for 6 days in a medium supplemented with different concentrations (1, 10, 100, or 1000 µg mL-1) of CGEO or anethole and then, follicular survival and growth, collagen content, and stromal cell density in ovarian tissues cultured in vitro were evaluated by histology. The mRNA levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1), peroxirredoxin 6 (PRDX6), and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) were evaluated by real-time PCR. The activity of SOD, CAT, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and thiol concentrations were investigated.

KEY FINDINGS

Ovarian tissues cultured with 1 µg mL-1 CGEO or anethole had a higher percentage of healthy follicles than those cultured in a control medium (P < .05). The 1 µg mL-1 CGEO also increased the number of stromal cells, collagen fibers, and thiol levels. Anethole (1 µg mL-1) increased CAT activity and reduced that of GPx. The activity of SOD was reduced by CGEO. In contrast, 1 µg mL-1 anethole reduced mRNA for CAT, PRDX1, and NRF2 (P < .05). In addition, 1 µg mL-1 CGEO reduced mRNA for CAT, PRDX6, and GPx1 (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of 1 µg mL-1 anethole or CGEO in a culture medium promotes follicle survival and regulates oxidative stress and the expression of mRNA and activity of antioxidant enzymes in cultured bovine ovarian tissues.

Anethole supplementation during in vitro maturation increases in vitro goat embryo production in a concentration-dependent manner

During in vitro maturation (IVM) cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) are exposed to conditions that can trigger oxidative stress, thus, reducing oocyte maturation and viability. Aiming to mitigate these detrimental conditions, the effects of IVM medium supplementation with anethole have been tested. Anethole, also known as trans-anethole (1-methoxy-4 [1-propenyl]-benzene), is a naturally occurring phenylpropanoid with various pharmacological properties, including antioxidant effects. However, no study has examined anethole effect on goat COCs during IVM. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different anethole concentrations on oocyte maturation, oxidative stress, and in vitro development of caprine embryos after parthenogenetic activation. Goat COCs were selected and randomly distributed into the following treatments: TCM-199+ medium (control), or TCM-199+ medium supplemented with 30 μg/mL (AN30); 300 μg/mL (AN300) or 2000 μg/mL (AN2000) of anethole. After IVM, part of the COCs was chosen for oocyte viability and chromatin configuration, intracellular reactive oxygen species levels, and mitochondrial membrane potential assessment. Another part of COCs was parthenogenetically activated, and presumptive zygotes were cultured for 7 days. Results demonstrated that anethole at 30 μg/mL increased oocyte maturation and cleavage rates when compared to the other treatments (P < 0.05), as well as oocyte viability and in vitro embryo production when compared to the control treatment (P < 0.05). Additionally, treatment with anethole at 2000 μg/mL decreased oocyte nuclear maturation and cleavage rates when compared to other treatments (P < 0.05) and embryo production if compared to control and AN30 treatments (P < 0.05). Moreover, anethole at 2000 μg/mL increased mitochondrial membrane potential when compared to the other treatments (P < 0.05). In conclusion, anethole exerts a concentration-dependent effect during goat COCs IVM. For a more desirable outcome of oocyte viability and maturation, and in vitro embryo production, the use of anethole at 30 μg/mL is recommended.

Review of the safety of application of cosmetic products containing parabens

Cosmetics are a source of lifetime exposure to various substances including parabens, being the most popular synthetic preservatives. Because the use of cosmetics shows an increasing trend and some adverse health outcomes of parabens present in these products have been reported, the present review focused on the safety of dermal application of these compounds. Special attention has been paid to the absorption of parabens and their retention in the human body in the intact form, as well as to their toxicological characteristics. Particular emphasis has been placed on the estrogenic potential of parabens. Based on the available published data of the concentrations of parabens in various kinds of cosmetics, the average ranges of systemic exposure dose (SED) for methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben have been calculated. Safety evaluations [margin of safety (MoS)] for these compounds, based on their aggregate exposure, have also been performed. Moreover, evidence for the negative impact of methylparaben on skin cells has been provided, and the main factors that may intensify dermal absorption of parabens and their impact on the skin have been described. Summarizing, the use of single cosmetics containing parabens should not pose a hazard for human health; however, using excessive quantities of cosmetic preparations containing these compounds may lead to the development of unfavorable health outcomes. Due to the real risk of estrogenic effects, as a result of exposure to parabens in cosmetics, simultaneous use of many cosmetic products containing these preservatives should be avoided.

Cell-Free Fat Extract Increases Dermal Thickness by Enhancing Angiogenesis and Extracellular Matrix Production in Nude Mice

BACKGROUND

Although adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) and nanofat exert antiaging effects on skin, they contain cellular components that have certain limitations in clinical practice. Cell-free fat extract (Ceffe) is a fraction purified from nanofat through removal of cellular components and lipid remnants that contains various growth factors.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Ceffe on cultured human dermal fibroblasts in vitro and on the dermis of nude mice in vivo.

METHODS

In the in vitro study, human dermal fibroblasts were cultured with Ceffe for 72 hours, followed by flow cytometry measurement of cell proliferation and cell cycle. In the in vivo study, different concentrations of Ceffe were injected into the dorsal skin of nude mice for 4 weeks. The thickness of the dermis; proliferation of cells; density of the capillary; and expressions of type I and III collagen (Col-1 and Col-3), matrix metalloproteinase-1, matrix metalloproteinase-3, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3 were measured through histologic and Western blot analyses.

RESULTS

Ceffe significantly increased cell proliferation in cultured dermal fibroblasts. In the mouse skin, Ceffe significantly increased the thickness of the dermis, number of proliferating cells, density of the capillary, and expressions of Col-1 and Col-3.

CONCLUSIONS

Ceffe increased the dermal thickness of nude mice, possibly by enhancing angiogenesis and extracellular matrix production, and can therefore be used for skin rejuvenation.

Andrographis Paniculata and Its Bioactive Diterpenoids Protect Dermal Fibroblasts Against Inflammation and Oxidative Stress

Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) has long been used in ayurvedic medicine through its anti-inflammatory properties. However, its protective effect of skin aging has not been studied in vitro. This study aimed to investigate the anti-aging effects of methanolic extract (ME), andrographolide (ANDRO), neoandrographolide (NEO), 14-deoxyandrographolide (14DAP) and 14-deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide (14DAP11-12) on human dermal fibroblasts (HDFa) under pro-oxidant or pro-inflammatory condition. The in vitro anti-aging capacity of ME, ANDRO, NEO, 14DAP, and 14DAP11-12 (1, 2.5 and 5 µg/mL) was performed in HDFa. Oxidative stress and inflammation were induced by hydrogen peroxide and lipopolysaccharide/TNF-α, respectively. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was measured by the fluorescence of DCF-DA probe and cytokines were quantified by ELISA (IL6 and IL8) or RTqPCR (TNF-α). Procollagen type I production was determined by an ELISA. Our results showed a decrease in ROS production with ME and 14DAP at 5 µg/mL and 1 µg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, IL-6 production and TNF-α expression decreased under ANDRO and ME at 5 µg/mL. Our data indicated that ME and 14DAP protect from oxidative stress. Additionally, ME and ANDRO decreased an inflammation marker, IL-6. This suggests their potential natural treatment against skin damage. Hence, their applications could be of interest in cosmetics for preventing skin ageing.

AKT3 deficiency in M2 macrophages impairs cutaneous wound healing by disrupting tissue remodeling

AKT signaling and M2 macrophage-guided tissue repair are key factors in cutaneous wound healing. A delay in this process threatens human health worldwide. However, the role of AKT3 in delayed cutaneous wound healing is largely unknown. In this study, histological staining and transcriptomics demonstrated that prolonged tissue remodeling delayed wound healing. This delay was accompanied by defects in AKT3, collagen alpha-1(I) chain (COL1A1), and collagen alpha-1(XI) chain (COL11A1) expression and AKT signaling. The defect in AKT3 expression was M2 macrophage-specific, and decreased AKT3 protein levels were observed in CD68/CD206-positive macrophages from delayed wound tissue. Downregulation of AKT3 in M2 macrophages did not influence cell polarization but impaired collagen organization by inhibiting COL1A1 and COL11A1 expression in human skin fibroblasts (HSFs). Moreover, a co-culture model revealed that the downregulation of AKT3 in the human monocytic cell line (THP-1)-derived M2 macrophages impaired HSF proliferation and migration. Finally, cutaneous wound healing in AKT3^-/- mice was much slower than that of AKT3^+/+ mice, and F4/80 macrophages from the AKT3^-/- mice had an impaired ability to promote wound healing. Thus, the downregulation of AKT3 in M2 macrophages prolonged tissue remodeling and delayed cutaneous wound healing.