Folic acid and creatine improve the firmness of human skin in vivo

In-vivo assessment of application of folinic acid and botulinum toxin A in cleft lip surgical defects

INTRODUCTION

Folinic acid and botulinum toxin A have shown promising results in wound healing in different studies. This study aimed to compare the effects of these approaches on wound healing after simulating cleft lip surgery in rats.

METHODS

In this experimental animal study, after creating lip defects, 30 rats were randomly divided into three groups and received normal saline (CTL), botulinum toxin A (BOT), and folinic acid (FOL). Biopsy from the skin wounds was performed after 14- and 28-days. These samples were stained with haematoxylin and eosin and Masson trichrome staining. Finally, each pathological parameter of wound healing was rated in this study.

RESULTS

While the inflammatory response was not different among the study groups, fibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition were significantly higher in FOL group compared to BOT group. Moreover, both BOT and FOL facilitated epithelial healing and 14-day angiogenesis as compared with normal saline.

CONCLUSIONS

Improved wound healing was observed using both botulinum toxin A and folinic acid in rat animal models. However, the application of botulinum toxin A caused less fibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition which can potentially lead to less scar formation, which can be particularly important in the aesthetic zone.

A randomized, double-blind, controlled study evaluating the effects of two facial serums on skin aging

BACKGROUND

Skin aging is a natural process that occurs because of oxidative stress. Facial skin aging is often concerning for individuals due to the exposure of the face.

OBJECTIVES

To assess and compare the effects of two anti-aging facial serums on the following characteristics associated with facial skin aging: fine lines/wrinkles, age spots, firmness, elasticity, texture, radiance, tone, lifting, clarity, and complexion.

METHODS

A 24-week, double-blind controlled study was conducted on 130 participants who were randomized into two groups: facial serum with Liposomal Blend and facial serum without Liposomal Blend. Clinical evaluations (Visual Analog Scale) and instrumental evaluations (Cutometer, SIAscope, and Clarity Pro image analysis) were performed at weeks 0 (baseline), 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 to assess for changes in skin aging characteristics.

RESULTS

A total of 123 participants completed the study; participants that used the facial serum with Liposomal Blend had significantly greater improvements in skin aging characteristics compared to those that used the facial serum without Liposomal Blend. This study shows that Liposomal Blend is a vehicle with the ability to enhance the anti-aging properties of the ingredients within the facial serum by facilitating its delivery into the underlying layers of the skin. Higher concentration of ingredients at the site of action could potentially lead to greater damage repair and improvements in signs of facial skin aging.

CONCLUSION

By using Liposomal Blend, practitioners and pharmacists could potentially improve the delivery of the ingredients within their formulations into the skin, which may lead to increased treatment efficacy.

The Clinical Evidence-Based Paradigm of Topical Anti-Aging Skincare Formulations Enriched with Bio-Active Peptide SA1-III (KP1) as Collagen Modulator: From Bench to Bedside

A substantial reduction in the amount and quality of collagen leads to age-related deterioration of the elasticity and firmness of the skin. In recent years, multiple compounds have been developed aimed at reversing the molecular features of dermal aging. One such target for aging reversal is collagen degradation or turnover. SA1-III is a decapeptide (Ac-Met-Gly-Lys-Val-Val-Asn-Pro-Thr-Gln-Lys-NH₂), also known as KP1, formally derived from the C-terminal portion of serpin A1, an agent known as a physiological inhibitor of neutrophil elastase, and has been the subject of laboratory and clinical studies determining its effects on modulation of collagen turnover as well as the treatment of age-associated changes of the face. This review aims to provide a bio-inspired approach focusing on the latest scientific studies that describe the compound, as well as a comprehensive appraisal of laboratory and clinical tests on skincare formulations enriched with sA1-III.

Electrospinning of Microstructures Incorporated with Vitamin B9 for Food Application: Characteristics and Bioactivities

The food industry has been expanding, and new vectors to entrap vitamins have been constantly investigated, aiming at versatile systems with good physico-chemical characteristics, low-cost production, high stability and the efficient release of active ingredients. The vitamin B9 (folic acid or folate) is essential for the healthy functioning of a variety of physiological processes in humans and is beneficial in preventing a range of disorders. In this study, two approaches were developed to encapsulate vitamin B9. Zein and the combination of modified starch with two plasticizers were the selected encapsulating agents to produce microstructures via the electrospinning technique. The objective was to improve the stability and the B9 antioxidant capacity in the final formulations. The work strategy was to avoid limitations such as low bioavailability, stability and thermosensitivity. The microstructures were fabricated and the morphology and shape were assessed by scanning electron microscopy. The B9 release profiles of modified starch and zein microstructures were analyzed in simulated gastric fluid at 37 °C, and in deionized water and ethanol at room temperature. The B9 encapsulation efficiency and the stability of the systems were also studied. The ABTS assay was assessed and the antioxidant activity of the produced microstructures was evaluated. The physico-chemical characterization of loaded B9 in the microstructures was achieved. High encapsulation efficiency values were achieved for the 1% B9 loaded in 12% w/w modified starch film; 5% B9 vitamin encapsulated by the 15% w/w modified starch with 4% w/w tween 80; and 4% w/w glycerol film with heterogeneous microstructures, 5% w/w zein compact film and 10% w/w zein film. In conclusion, the combinations of 7 wt.% of modified starch with 4 wt.% tween 80 and 4 wt.% glycerol; 15 wt.% of modified starch with 4 wt.% tween 80 and 4 wt.% glycerol; and 12 wt.% modified starch and 5 wt.% zein can be used as delivery structures in order to enhance the vitamin B9 antioxidant activity in the food and nutraceutical fields.

Histologic Evaluation of the Effects of Folinic Acid Chitosan Hydrogel and Botulinum Toxin A on Wound Repair of Cleft Lip Surgery in Rats

The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of folinic acid chitosan hydrogel and botulinum toxin A on the wound repair of cleft lip surgery in rat animal models. Cleft lip defects were simulated by triangular incisions in the upper lip of 40 Wistar rats. Then, the rats were randomly assigned to four groups: control (CTRL), chitosan hydrogel (CHIT), and folinic acid chitosan hydrogel (FOLCHIT), in which the wounds were covered by a gauze pad soaked in normal saline, chitosan hydrogel, and folinic acid chitosan hydrogel, respectively for 5 min immediately after closure; and botulinum toxin A (BOT) with the injection of 3 units of botulinum toxin A in the wound region. Fibroblast proliferation, collagen deposition, inflammatory cell infiltration, neovascularization, and epithelial proliferation and each parameter were rated on days 14 and 28. Statistical analysis was performed by Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Shapiro-Wilk test, Kruskal-Wallis, and post-hoc tests (α = 0.05). The mean score for fibroblast proliferation was significantly higher in the FOLCHIT group compared with the BOT group at days 14 and 28 (p < 0.001, p = 0.012, respectively). At day 28, collagen deposition was significantly higher in the FOLCHIT group compared with the BOT group (p = 0.012). No significant difference was observed between the inflammatory infiltration of the study groups at the two time points (p = 0.096 and p = 1.000, respectively). At day 14, vascular proliferation of group FOLCHIT was significantly higher than groups CTRL and CHIT (p = 0.001 and p = 0.006, respectively). The epithelial proliferation in the FOLCHIT group was significantly higher than groups CHIT and CTRL at day 14 (p = 0.006 and p = 0.001, respectively) and day 28 (p = 0.012). In simulated lip cleft defects, topical application of folinic acid induces faster initial regeneration by higher inflammation and cellular proliferation, at the expense of a higher tendency for scar formation by slightly higher fibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition. While injection of botulinum toxin A provides less fibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition, and thus lower potential for scar formation compared with the folinic acid group. Therefore, in wounds of the esthetic zone, such as cleft lip defects, the application of botulinum toxin A shows promising results.

Development of folic acid-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers for topical delivery: preparation, characterisation and ex vivo investigation

The present work is designed to achieve efficient localised skin delivery of folic acid (FA)-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) to infer efficient treatment of skin photoageing conditions induced via excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. FA NLCs were prepared by high-speed homogenisation followed by ultrasonication. The obtained NLCs revealed high encapsulation efficiencies (89.42-99.26%) with nanometric particle sizes (27.06-85.36 nm) of monodisperse distribution (PDI = 0.137-0.442), zeta potential values >|27| mV, pseudoplastic rheological behaviour, good spreadability (2.25-3.30 cm) and promoted occlusive properties throughout 48 h. Optimised NLC formulations appeared as sphere-shaped particles using transmission electron microscopy, showed improved photostability of FA and prolonged in vitro release profile best fitted to Higuchi diffusion model. Ex vivo permeation and deposition of FA, employing Wistar rat skins, depicted enhanced permeability and existence of FA in skin layers after 6 h. Based on the obtained results, FA-loaded NLC formulations demonstrate a promising modality for anti-photoageing therapy.

Topical folinic acid enhances wound healing in rat model

PURPOSE

Folic acid is an essential vitamin participating in DNA synthesis and repair. Recently folic acid has been shown to stimulate DNA-repair capacity in dermal fibroblasts in response to injury. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of topical folinic acid, a 5-formyl derivative of tetrahydrofolic acid, on wound healing using rat wound model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A rat wound model was established, and the wound healing was evaluated by macroscopic and histological analyses among vehicle control, 2.5% folinic acid, 1% folinic acid, and dexpanthenol treatment groups. While an image-analysis program was used to evaluate macroscopic wound closure, connective tissue properties, mast cell numbers, and the expressions of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1) and 9 (MMP-9) were evaluated by microscopy.

RESULTS

The 2.5% folinic acid-treated group exhibited enhanced wound healing by increased reepithelialization, neo-vessel formation, inflammatory cell migration, collagen deposition and progressive mast cell increase. Furthermore, 2.5% folinic acid induced higher expressions of MMP-1 and MMP-9.

CONCLUSIONS

Folinic acid enhances both macroscopic and microscopic wound healing in rat wound model.

Antioxidants in the prevention of UVB-induced keratynocyte apoptosis

Skin cells can respond to UVB-induced damage by counteracting it through antioxidant activation and DNA repair mechanisms or, when damage is massive by undergoing programmed cell death. Antioxidant factors, and, in particular, food compounds, have attracted much interest because of their potential use in new protective strategies for degenerative skin disorders. Melatonin, creatine and hydroxytyrosol show a variety of pharmacological and clinical benefits including anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Here, the potential protective actions of antioxidant compounds against UVB-induced apoptosis were investigated in human keratinocytes. The cells were pre-treated with antioxidants before UVB exposure and their effect evaluated by means of ultrastructural and molecular analyses. After UVB radiation typical morphological apoptotic features and in situ DNA fragmentation after TUNEL reaction, appeared. A significant numerical decrease of apoptotic patterns could be observed when antioxidants were administrated before cell death induction. Moreover, both the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways appeared activated after UVB radiation, and their down-regulation has been shown when antioxidants were added to cells before death induction. In conclusion, these compounds are able to prevent apoptotic cell death in human keratinocytes exposed to UVB, suggesting, for these molecules, an important role in preventing skin damage.

"Michael" Nanocarriers Mimicking Transient-Binding Disordered Proteins

We report herein a very efficient synthesis strategy for the construction of artificial transient-binding protein-mimic nano-objects. Michael addition-mediated multidirectional self-assembly of individual polymeric chains at r.t. leads to "Michael" nanocarriers that in solution resemble disordered multidomain proteins, as revealed by a combination of small angle neutron scattering measurements and coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulation results, whereas in the dry state adopt a collapsed, globular morphology, as observed by transmission electron microscopy. This extended-to-compact morphology transition taking place upon solvent removal is of paramount importance, among other applications, for the construction of efficient biosensors based on immobilized protein-mimic nano-objects and for the development of transient vitamin-binding systems. As a proof of concept, we show the controlled delivery of vitamin B₉ from these novel transient-binding nanocarriers.

Impact of collagen crosslinking on the second harmonic generation signal and the fluorescence lifetime of collagen autofluorescence

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Collagen is the major structural protein of the skin and its crosslinks are essential for its mechanical stability. In photodamaged skin, a decrease of the mature collagen crosslink histidinohydroxylysino-norleucine was reported. In this study, we investigated the consequences and measurability of the reduced crosslinking.

METHODS

In order to determine the consequences of reduced collagen crosslinking, in vitro models of reduced collagen crosslinking were established. The collagen synthesis and structure was analyzed using the signals second harmonic generation (SHG) and the fluorescence lifetime of the collagen autofluorescence by a multiphoton laser scanning microscope.

RESULTS

Reduced collagen crosslinking results in a posttranscriptionally diminished collagen synthesis, a modified structure of the collagen fibers and fibrils and a higher intensity of the SHG signal. The SHG signal might be influenced by the interspaces of the collagen molecules within one collagen fibril. Because of these findings, it can be speculated that reduced collagen crosslinking changes the interspace of single collagen molecules within the collagen fibril, resulting in an enhanced SHG signal. Alternative explanations are discussed. Furthermore, the fluorescence lifetime was reduced in the in vitro models of reduced collagen crosslinking. In the crosslink sites of the collagen molecules, the main ratio of fluorescence is found. As the fluorescence lifetime is determined not only by the fluorescent molecule itself but also by its microenvironment, the change in the fluorescence lifetime might be explained by reduced crosslinking at the crosslink site.

CONCLUSION

A reduction of collagen crosslinking (as seen in photodamaged skin) results in an increase of the SHG signal and a decrease of the fluorescence lifetime in vitro. In vivo measurements of the two parameters might reveal the status of collagen crosslinking and therefore help to identify the status of dermal photodamage or pathogenesis using collagen crosslinking determination.