Sclareol isolated from Salvia officinalis improves facial wrinkles via an antiphotoaging mechanism

Natural products in cosmetics

The global cosmetics market reached US$500 billion in 2017 and is expected to exceed US$800 billion by 2023, at around a 7% annual growth rate. The cosmetics industry is emerging as one of the fastest-growing industries of the past decade. Data shows that the Chinese cosmetics market was US$60 billion in 2021. It is expected to be the world's number one consumer cosmetics market by 2050, with a size of approximately US$450 billion. The influence of social media and the internet has raised awareness of the risks associated with the usage of many chemicals in cosmetics and the health benefits of natural products derived from plants and other natural resources. As a result, the cosmetic industry is now paying more attention to natural products. The present review focus on the possible applications of natural products from various biological sources in skin care cosmetics, including topical care products, fragrances, moisturizers, UV protective, and anti-wrinkle products. In addition, the mechanisms of targets for evaluation of active ingredients in cosmetics and the possible benefits of these bioactive compounds in rejuvenation and health, and their potential role in cosmetics are also discussed.

The bioactivities of sclareol: A mini review

Sclareol, a diterpene alcohol isolated from the herbal and flavor plant clary sage (Salvia sclarea L.), is far-famed as the predominant ingredient in the refined oil of Salvia sclarea (L.). The empirical medicine of Salvia sclarea L. focused on various diseases, such as arthritis, oral inflammation, digestive system diseases, whereas the sclareol possessed more extensive and characteristic bioactivities, including anti-tumor, anti-inflammation and anti-pathogenic microbes, even anti-diabetes and hypertension. However, there is a deficiency of literature to integrate and illuminate the pharmacological attributes of sclareol based on well-documented investigations. Interestingly, sclareol has been recently considered as the potential candidate against COVID-19 and Parkinson’s disease. Accordingly, the bioactive attributes of sclareol in cancer, inflammation, even pharmacochemistry and delivery systems are reviewed for comprehensively dissecting its potential application in medicine.

Sclareol attenuates the development of atopic dermatitis induced by 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene in mice

Context: Atopic dermatitis is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease affecting up to 20% of children and 1% of adults worldwide. Treatment of atopic dermatitis include corticosteroids and immunosuppressants, such as calcineurin inhibitors and methotrexate. However, these treatments often bring about adverse effects including skin atrophy, osteoporosis, skin cancer, and metabolic syndrome. Objective: In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of sclareol, a natural diterpene, on atopic dermatitis (AD)-like skin lesions induced by 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) in mice. Materials and methods: To evaluate the effect of sclareol in vivo model, BALB/c mice were repeatedly injected intraperitoneally with sclareol (50 and 100 mg/kg) in 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced AD-like murine model. Major assays were enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, histological analysis, flow cytometry, western blot analysis. Results: Intraperitoneal administration of sclareol (50 and 100 mg/kg) significantly attenuated AD-like symptoms, such as serum IgE levels, epidermal/dermal hyperplasia, and the numbers of infiltrated mast cells. In addition, systemic sclareol treatments reduced local pro-inflammatory cytokine concentrations, including IL-6, IL-1b, TNF-a, IL-4, IFN-g, and IL-17A, on AD-like lesions. Furthermore, we demonstrated that sclareol also suppressed T cell activation and the capability of cytokine productions (IFN-g, IL-4 and IL-17A) in response to DNCB stimulation. By examining the skin homogenate, we found that sclareol inhibited the AD-like severity likely through suppressions of both NF-kB translocation and phosphorylation of the MAP kinase pathway. Discussion and conclusions: Cumulatively, our results indicate that sclareol induced anti-inflammatory effects against the atopic dermatitis elicited by DNCB. Thus, sclareol is worth of being further evaluated for its potential therapeutic benefits for the clinical treatment of AD.

Plant extracts and natural compounds used against UVB-induced photoaging

Skin is continuously exposed to a variety of environmental stresses, including ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UVB is an inherent component of sunlight that crosses the epidermis and reaches the upper dermis, leading to increased oxidative stress, activation of inflammatory response and accumulation of DNA damage among other effects. The increase in UVB radiation on earth due to the destruction of stratospheric ozone poses a major environmental threat to the skin, increasing the risk of damage with long-term consequences, such as photoaging and photocarcinogenesis. Extracts from plants and natural compounds have been historically used in traditional medicine in the form of teas and ointments but the effect of most of these compounds has yet to be verified. Regarding the increasing concern of the population with issues related to quality of life and appearance, the cosmetic market for anti-aging and photoprotective products based on natural compounds is continuously growing, and there is increasing requirement of expansion on research in this field. In this review we summarized the most current and relevant information concerning plant extracts and natural compounds that are able to protect or mitigate the deleterious effects caused by photoaging in different experimental models.