Comparative effects of biodynes, tocotrienol-rich fraction, and tocopherol in enhancing collagen synthesis and inhibiting collagen degradation in stress-induced premature senescence model of human diploid fibroblasts

Overview of popular cosmeceuticals in dermatology

The eternal pursuit to prevent ageing and maintain a youthful appearance has resulted in a rapidly expanding cosmeceutical industry. Cosmeceutical products, particularly of natural origin, are in high demand due to claims of efficacy for signs of ageing and other skin conditions. Consumers often include cosmeceutical products in their skin care regime as they are readily available, and a more affordable option compared to prescription products. However, many cosmeceutical ingredients lack clinical evidence regarding their efficacy and safety as these products are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This review provides a brief overview of several popular cosmeceutical ingredients with regards to their potential indications, targets and mechanisms of action.

How to Promote Skin Repair? In-Depth Look at Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Strategies

Skin repair encompasses epidermal barrier repair and wound healing which involves multiple cellular and molecular stages. Therefore, many skin repair strategies have been proposed. In order to characterize the usage frequency of skin repair ingredients in cosmetics, medicines, and medical devices, commercialized in Portuguese pharmacies and parapharmacies, a comprehensive analysis of the products' composition was performed. A total of 120 cosmetic products, collected from national pharmacies online platforms, 21 topical medicines, and 46 medical devices, collected from INFARMED database, were included in the study, revealing the top 10 most used skin repair ingredients in these categories. A critical review regarding the effectiveness of the top ingredients was performed and an in-depth analysis focused on the top three skin repair ingredients pursued. Results demonstrated that top three most used cosmetic ingredients were metal salts and oxides (78.3%), vitamin E and its derivatives (54.2%), and Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. extract and actives (35.8%). Regarding medicines, metal salts and oxides were also the most used (47.4%) followed by vitamin B5 and derivatives (23.8%), and vitamin A and derivatives (26.3%). Silicones and derivatives were the most common skin repair ingredients in medical devices (33%), followed by petrolatum and derivatives (22%) and alginate (15%). This work provides an overview of the most used skin repair ingredients, highlighting their different mechanisms of action, aiming to provide an up-to-date tool to support health professionals' decisions.

Antioxidants in Sunscreens: Which and What For?

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation promotes the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitrogen species (RNS), resulting in skin damage. Cosmetic industries have adopted a strategy to incorporate antioxidants in sunscreen formulations to prevent or minimize UV-induced oxidative damage, boost photoprotection effectiveness, and mitigate skin photoaging. Many antioxidants are naturally derived, mainly from terrestrial plants; however, marine organisms have been increasingly explored as a source of new potent antioxidant molecules. This work aims to characterize the frequency of the use of antioxidants in commercial sunscreens. Photoprotective formulations currently marketed in parapharmacies and pharmacies were analyzed with respect to the composition described on the label. As a result, pure compounds with antioxidant activity were found. The majority of sunscreen formulations contained antioxidants, with vitamin E and its derivatives the most frequent. A more thorough analysis of these antioxidants is also provided, unveiling the top antioxidant ingredients found in sunscreens. A critical appraisal of the scientific evidence regarding their effectiveness is also performed. In conclusion, this work provides an up-to-date overview of the use of antioxidants in commercial sunscreens for a better understanding of the advantages associated with their use in photoprotective formulations.

Effects of tocotrienol on aging skin: A systematic review

The skin is the largest organ of the body that protects from mechanical, thermal, and physical injury. However, the function and appearance of skin visibly degenerates with age due to its frequent exposure to harmful effects of the environment, including ultraviolet irradiation and hazardous substances, in addition to the progression of oxidative stress in aging. These factors result in phenotypic changes in the skin, including wrinkling, pigmentation, reduced elasticity, and hydration during aging. Many natural antioxidant compounds have been studied extensively to reverse the signs of aging skin. Tocotrienols are a subfamily of vitamin E with potent antioxidant activity. Therefore, supplementation with vitamin E in the form of tocotrienol may efficiently protect skin from aging. In this review, the effects of tocotrienol on skin health, including pigmentation, moisture, and wrinkles during aging and UV exposure, were systematically evaluated based on a literature search of the PubMed and Scopus databases. The present data showed that tocotrienols protect the skin from inflammation, UV radiation and melanin accumulation. As the therapeutic value of tocotrienols grows, the potential of these vitamin E analogs to the skin requires further investigation.

Role of Daptomycin in Cutaneous Wound Healing: A Narrative Review

Daptomycin is active against Gram-positive bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and the on-label indications for its use include complicated skin and skin structure infections (cSSSI). We performed a narrative review of the literature with the aim to evaluate the role of daptomycin in the skin wound healing process, proposing our point of view on the possible association with other molecules that could improve the skin healing process. Daptomycin may improve wound healing in MRSA-infected burns, surgical wounds, and diabetic feet, but further studies in humans with histological examination are needed. In the future, the combination of daptomycin with other molecules with synergistic action, such as vitamin E and derivates, IB-367, RNA III-inhibiting peptide (RIP), and palladium nanoflowers, may help to improve wound healing and overcome forms of antibiotic resistance.

Are Vitamin E Supplementation Beneficial for Female Gynaecology Health and Diseases?

Vitamin E is known as an essential vitamin, and many studies had demonstrated the importance of vitamin E throughout the reproductive process, such as miscarriage, premature birth, preeclampsia, and intrauterine growth restriction, which could be caused by a lack of vitamin E during pregnancy. Its potent antioxidant properties can counteract the oxidative stress induced by oxygen free radicals and imbalance of oxidative-antioxidant levels, hence it may play a role in maintaining the normal function of the female reproductive system. Despite the fact that vitamin E is acknowledged as the substance needed for reproduction, its beneficial effects on female fertility, gynaecological health, and diseases are still poorly understood and lacking. Therefore, the goal of this paper is to provide a summary of the known roles of vitamin E supplementation in women for gynaecological health and reproductive-related diseases, as well as its future perspective.

Protective effects of coenzyme Q10 on cell damage induced by hydrogen peroxides in cultured skin fibroblasts

Cellular senescence is an intricate and multifactorial phenomenon, which is characterized by an irreversible cellular growth arrest, it is caused in response to irretrievably DNA damage, telomere shorting, activation of oncogene, and oxidative stress. Human diploid fibroblasts are a well-established experimental model for premature senescence-related studies, and exposure of fibroblasts to H₂O₂ is widely used as a SIPS model. Recently, it has been reported many studies of CoQ₁₀ as to anti-aging effects, however the effect of CoQ₁₀ on H₂O₂-induced SIPS model of human skin fibroblasts has not been understood. So that, we investigated that human skin fibroblasts were used to investigate the prevention effect of CoQ₁₀ against H₂O₂-induced SIPS model. We created SIPS model fibroblasts with treatment of 100 μM H₂O₂ for 2 h. In this study, CoQ₁₀ also increased cell viability and mRNA levels of type I, IV collagen and protein level of type I collagen. Moreover, it is shown that CoQ₁₀ suppressed oxidative stress, degradation of collagen by increasing MMP expression, and decreasing senescence-associated phenotypes (e.g. SA-βgal positive staining and SASP) for preventing skin aging via H₂O₂-induced SIPS model. These results suggested that CoQ₁₀ has possibility to be contributory for extension of healthy life expectancy in Japan.

Pharmacology and Pharmacokinetics of Vitamin E: Nanoformulations to Enhance Bioavailability

Vitamin E belongs to the family of lipid-soluble vitamins and can be divided into two groups, tocopherols and tocotrienols, with four isomers (alpha, beta, gamma and delta). Although vitamin E is widely known as a potent antioxidant, studies have also revealed that vitamin E possesses anti-inflammatory properties. These crucial properties of vitamin E are beneficial in various aspects of health, especially in neuroprotection and cardiovascular, skin and bone health. However, the poor bioavailability of vitamin E, especially tocotrienols, remains a great limitation for clinical applications. Recently, nanoformulations that include nanovesicles, solid-lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, nanoemulsions, and polymeric nanoparticles have shown promising outcomes in improving the efficacy and bioavailability of vitamin E. This review focuses on the pharmacological properties and pharmacokinetics of vitamin E and current advances in vitamin E nanoformulations for future clinical applications. The limitations and future recommendations are also discussed in this review.

Effect of antioxidants on the H2O2-induced premature senescence of human fibroblasts

The study was aimed at evaluation of the role of secondary oxidative stress in the stress-induced premature senescence (SIPS) of human fibroblasts induced by H₂O₂. Two fibroblast lines were used: lung MRC-5 and ear H8F2p25LM fibroblasts. The lines differed considerably in sensitivity to H₂O₂ (IC₅₀ of 528 and 33.5 μM, respectively). The cells were exposed to H₂O₂ concentrations corresponding to IC₅₀ and after 24 h supplemented with a range of antioxidants. Most of antioxidants studied slightly augmented the survival of fibroblasts at single concentrations or in a narrow concentration range, but the results were not consistent among the cell lines. Chosen antioxidants (4-amino-TEMPO, curcumin, caffeic acid and p-coumaric acid) did not restore the level of glutathione decreased by H₂O₂. Hydrogen peroxide treatment did not induce secondary production of H₂O₂ and even decreased it, decreased mitochondrial potential in both cell lines and induced changes in the mitochondrial mass inconsistent between the lines. Antioxidant protected mitochondrial potential only in H8F2p25LM cells, but attenuated changes in mitochondrial mass. These results speak against the intermediacy of secondary oxidative stress in the SIPS induced by H₂O₂ and suggest that the small protective action of antioxidants is due to their effects on mitochondria.

Targeting myomiRs by tocotrienol-rich fraction to promote myoblast differentiation

Background

Several muscle-specific microRNAs (myomiRs) are differentially expressed during cellular senescence. However, the role of dietary compounds on myomiRs remains elusive. This study aimed to elucidate the modulatory role of tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) on myomiRs and myogenic genes during differentiation of human myoblasts. Young and senescent human skeletal muscle myoblasts (HSMM) were treated with 50 μg/mL TRF for 24 h before and after inducing differentiation.

Results

The fusion index and myotube surface area were higher (p < 0.05) on days 3 and 5 than that on day 1 of differentiation. Ageing reduced the differentiation rate, as observed by a decrease in both fusion index and myotube surface area in senescent cells (p < 0.05). Treatment with TRF significantly increased differentiation at days 1, 3 and 5 of young and senescent myoblasts. In senescent myoblasts, TRF increased the expression of miR-206 and miR-486 and decreased PTEN and PAX7 expression. However, the expression of IGF1R was upregulated during early differentiation and decreased at late differentiation when treated with TRF. In young myoblasts, TRF promoted differentiation by modulating the expression of miR-206, which resulted in the reduction of PAX7 expression and upregulation of IGF1R.

Conclusion

TRF can potentially promote myoblast differentiation by modulating the expression of myomiRs, which regulate the expression of myogenic genes.

Supplementation with tocotrienols from Bixa orellana improves the in vivo efficacy of daptomycin against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a mouse model of infected wound

BACKGROUND

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a common cause of skin and soft-tissue infection worldwide. An adequate immune response acts as a first line of defence against infections and therefore plays an essential role in the maintenance of health. Tocotrienols (T3s), the lesser known isomers of vitamin E, possess many biological properties and have been recognized as immunomodulators.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the in vivo supplementation with a mixture of 87.1% δ- and 12.9% γ-T3s extract from seeds of Bixa orellana, (T3s) could be effective in increasing the effect of daptomycin (DAP) in a mouse model of wound infection due to MRSA.

STUDY DESIGN/METHODS

Bacteria were inoculated onto full-thickness wound on the dorsal side of BALB/c mice at 5 × 10⁶ CFU per mouse. Mice were randomized into five groups: an uninfected group, an infected-untreated group, a T3s-pretreated group with no antibiotics given after challenge, a T3s-pretreated group plus DAP given after challenge, a group only given DAP after challenge. Main outcome measures were: bacterial load on the wounds, analysis of Natural Killer (NK) cytotoxicity, immunological phenotype and markers of tissue repair.

RESULTS

Our results showed that bacterial load in wounds from mice receiving T3s or DAP alone was 1- or 3-log₁₀ lower, respectively, compared with the infected-untreated group. T3s plus daptomycin showed the highest efficacy, achieving a 4-log₁₀ decrease in bacterial load. This higher antimicrobial effect was associated with increased levels of NK cytotoxicity and markers of wound repair.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that treatment with T3s may be useful for the management of infected wounds as immune adjuvants in combination with DAP.

Metabolic network rewiring of propionate flux compensates vitamin B12 deficiency in C. elegans

Metabolic network rewiring is the rerouting of metabolism through the use of alternate enzymes to adjust pathway flux and accomplish specific anabolic or catabolic objectives. Here, we report the first characterization of two parallel pathways for the breakdown of the short chain fatty acid propionate in Caenorhabditis elegans. Using genetic interaction mapping, gene co-expression analysis, pathway intermediate quantification and carbon tracing, we uncover a vitamin B12-independent propionate breakdown shunt that is transcriptionally activated on vitamin B12 deficient diets, or under genetic conditions mimicking the human diseases propionic- and methylmalonic acidemia, in which the canonical B12-dependent propionate breakdown pathway is blocked. Our study presents the first example of transcriptional vitamin-directed metabolic network rewiring to promote survival under vitamin deficiency. The ability to reroute propionate breakdown according to B12 availability may provide C. elegans with metabolic plasticity and thus a selective advantage on different diets in the wild.