Tranexamic Acid Cream Protects Ultraviolet B-induced Photoaging in Balb/c Mice Skin by Increasing Mitochondrial Markers: Changes Lead to Improvement of Histological Appearance

Potential Role of Tranexamic Acid in Rosacea Treatment: conquering Flushing Beyond Melasma

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that affects a patient's appearance and quality of life. It mainly affects the midface region and presents as erythema, flushing, telangiectasia, papules, pustules, and rhinophyma. Despite its prevalence, the precise pathophysiology of rosacea remains unknown, and novel pharmacological therapies are currently under investigation. Tranexamic acid (TA) is a synthetic, lysine-like compound that competitively inhibits fibrinogen production by synthesizing fibrinolytic enzymes. In addition to its popular application in hemorrhage treatment, TA has been used to manage a number of skin conditions, including melasma, chronic urticaria, and angioedema. TA is a better option for melasma treatment. However, the role of TA in treating rosacea has not yet been systematically elucidated. In this study, we reviewed all available literature on the use of TA for rosacea treatment. The included articles examined the therapeutic effects of TA in patients with rosacea, including traditional methods such as oral and topical administration and more novel approaches such as intradermal injections, microneedling, and laser-assisted delivery. Several recent clinical studies demonstrated that TA alleviates rosacea symptoms by restoring the permeability barrier, ameliorating the immune reaction, and inhibiting angiogenesis. In this review, we summarized the function and potential application of TA in rosacea treatment, aiming to facilitate the implementation of clinical applications.

Improvement in Facial Wrinkles Using Materials Enhancing PPARGC1B Expression Related to Mitochondrial Function

Skin aging is an unavoidable natural phenomenon caused by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. In modern society, the pursuit of a wrinkle-free and aesthetically appealing face has gained considerable prominence. Numerous studies have aimed at mitigating the appearance of facial wrinkles. Antiaging research focused on regulating the function of mitochondria, the main reactive oxygen species-generating organelles, has been extensively conducted. In this study, we investigated the correlation between facial wrinkles and the expression of PPARGC1B, considering the association of this gene with mitochondrial function, to identify its potential as a target for exploring antiaging cosmetic materials. We elucidated the role of PPARGC1B in the skin and identified five bioactive materials that modulated its expression. The effectiveness of these materials was verified through in vitro experiments on human dermal fibroblasts. We prepared cosmetic formulations incorporating the five materials and confirmed their ability to enhance dermal collagen in three-dimensional skin models and reduce facial wrinkles under the eyes and nasolabial fold areas in human subjects. The study findings have significant implications for developing novel antiaging cosmetic formulations by reinforcing mitochondrial functions.

Tranexamic acid for haemostasis and beyond: does dose matter?

Tranexamic acid (TXA) is a widely used antifibrinolytic agent that has been used since the 1960's to reduce blood loss in various conditions. TXA is a lysine analogue that competes for the lysine binding sites in plasminogen and tissue-type plasminogen activator impairing its interaction with the exposed lysine residues on the fibrin surface. The presence of TXA therefore, impairs the plasminogen and tPA engagement and subsequent plasmin generation on the fibrin surface, protecting fibrin clot from proteolytic degradation. However, critical lysine binding sites for plasmin(ogen) also exist on other proteins and on various cell-surface receptors allowing plasmin to exert potent effects on other targets that are unrelated to classical fibrinolysis, notably in relation to immunity and inflammation. Indeed, TXA was reported to significantly reduce post-surgical infection rates in patients after cardiac surgery unrelated to its haemostatic effects. This has provided an impetus to consider TXA in other indications beyond inhibition of fibrinolysis. While there is extensive literature on the optimal dosage of TXA to reduce bleeding rates and transfusion needs, it remains to be determined if these dosages also apply to blocking the non-canonical effects of plasmin.

Tranexamic acid: Beyond antifibrinolysis

Tranexamic acid (TXA) is a popular antifibrinolytic drug widely used in hemorrhagic trauma patients and cardiovascular, orthopedic, and gynecological surgical patients. TXA binds plasminogen and prevents its maturation to the fibrinolytic enzyme plasmin. A number of studies have demonstrated the broad life-saving effects of TXA in trauma, superior to those of other antifibrinolytic agents. Besides preventing fibrinolysis and blood loss, TXA has been reported to suppress posttraumatic inflammation and edema. Although the efficiency of TXA transcends simple inhibition of fibrinolysis, little is known about its mechanisms of action besides the suppression of plasmin maturation. Understanding the broader effects of TXA at the cell, organ, and organism levels are required to elucidate its potential mechanisms of action transcending antifibrinolytic activity. In this article, we provide a brief review of the current clinical use of TXA and then focus on the effects of TXA beyond antifibrinolytics such as its anti-inflammatory activity, protection of the endothelial and epithelial monolayers, stimulation of mitochondrial respiration, and suppression of melanogenesis.

Role of mitochondria on UV-induced skin damage and molecular mechanisms of active chemical compounds targeting mitochondria

Mitochondria are the principal place of energy metabolism and ROS production, leading to mtDNA being especially sensitive to the impacts of oxidative stress. Our review aims to elucidate and update the mechanisms of mitochondria in UV-induced skin damage. The mitochondrial deteriorative response to UV manifests morphological and functional alterations, including mitochondrial fusion and fission, mitochondrial biogenesis, mitochondrial energy metabolism and mitophagy. Additionally, we conclude the effect and molecular mechanisms of active chemical components to protect skin from UV-induced damage via mitochondrial protection which have been described in the last five years, showing prospective prospects in cosmetics as new therapeutic targets.

Tranexamic acid inhibits melanogenesis partially via stimulation of TGF-β1 expression in human epidermal keratinocytes

Oral tranexamic acid (TA) has been an effective treatment for melasma with unclear mechanism. The present study aimed to demonstrate the effect of TA on melanogenesis via regulation of TGF-β1 expression in keratinocytes. We firstly determined the expression level of TGF-β1 in TA-treated keratinocyte-conditioned medium (KCM). Then, the mRNA and protein levels of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase (TYR) and tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-1) of human epidermal melanocytes (NHEMs) in the presence of TA-treated KCM were evaluated via RT-PCR and western blot analysis. Moreover, melanin content and tyrosinase activity were quantified. TGF-β1 gene was knocked down by small interfering RNA (siRNA) in keratinocytes. The mRNA and protein levels of TGF-β1 in keratinocytes were significantly increased after TA treatment. Melanin contents, tyrosinase activity, protein and mRNA levels of TYR, MITF and TRP-1 were downregulated in NHEMs in the presence of TA-treated KCM. Knockdown of TGF-β1 in keratinocytes could attenuate the inhibitory effect of TA-treated KCM on melanogenesis. TA could stimulate TGF-β1 expression in keratinocytes, which further inhibits melanogenesis through the paracrine signalling.

Influence of Caralluma adscendens Var. attenuata cold cream on UV-B damaged skin epidermal cells: a novel approach

Ultraviolet radiation-induced sunburns are characterized by pigmented, wrinkled, and dried skin, with rashes and red spots. Chemical sunscreen lotion shows beneficial effects, but it shows the adverse side effect while in continuous usage. Natural substances of plant origin are deemed a possible cause of UV radiation through sunscreen resources. On this basis, we formulated the cold cream from the Caralluma adscendens Var. attenuata (CAVA) plant extract. The phytocompounds were studied by using GC-MS. The antioxidant potential of the plant extract was determined, and the CAVA showed cytotoxicity on A375 skin melanoma cells determined by MTT assay. The FT-IR spectra analysis confirmed the chemical nature of crude and crosslinking between cold creams. The cream was applied topically to rats pre-exposed to UV-B radiation (32,800 J/m2) four times/week (on alternate days). UV-B exposed without any treatment rats showed increased red spots or wrinkles (5 cm2). In contrast, the cold cream treatment application on irradiated skin has significantly reduced the size of rashes and red spots and the wound was contracted in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, histopathology of the experimental rat skin confirmed that CAVA cream treatment significantly reduced the epidermal thickening, damage in dermis and epidermis layers, and restructured the hair follicles. This study suggests that the cream formulated using CAVA can alleviate the damages caused by the UV-B-irradiation at a high level and safeguard the skin tissues.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-021-02694-y.