Enhancement of the Anti-Skin Wrinkling Effects of Aloe arborescens Miller Extracts Associated with Lactic Acid Fermentation

Aloe juvenna Brandham & S.Carter as α-Amylase Inhibitor and Hypoglycaemic Agent with Anti-inflammatory Properties for Diabetes Management

Despite Aloe's traditional use, Aloe juvenna Brandham & S.Carter is poorly characterized. Other Aloes are known for their antidiabetic activity. This study describes the antidiabetic potentials and phytoconstituents of the A. juvenna leaves methanolic extract (AJME). Twenty-six phytoconstituents of AJME were described using HPLC/MS-MS. Lupeol and vitexin were isolated using column chromatography. The antidiabetic activity of AJME was investigated using an in vivo high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model and in vitro α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activity assays. AJME demonstrated its α-amylase inhibitory activity (IC50=313±39.9 ppm) with no effect on α-glucosidase. In vivo, AJME dose-dependently improved hyperglycaemia in a high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model. Notably, the higher dose (1600 mg/kg) of AJME significantly downregulated serum interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and matrix metalloproteinase-1 genes, suggesting its anti-inflammatory effect. These findings indicate AJME's potential as a significant antidiabetic agent through its α-amylase inhibition, hypoglycaemic, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Platinum nanoflowers stabilized with aloe polysaccharides for detection of organophosphorus pesticides in food

Organophosphorus pesticides can inhibit the activity of acetylcholinesterase and cause neurological diseases. Therefore, it is crucial to establish an efficient and sensitive platform for organophosphorus pesticide detection. In this work, we extracted aloe polysaccharide (AP) from aloe vera with the number average molecular weight of 27760 Da and investigated its reducing property. We prepared aloe polysaccharide stabilized platinum nanoflowers (AP-Ptn NFs), their particle size ranges were 29.4-67.3 nm. Furthermore, AP-Ptn NFs exhibited excellent oxidase-like activity and the catalytic kinetics followed the typical Michaelis-Menten equation. They showed strong affinity for 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine substrates. More importantly, we developed a simple and effective strategy for the sensitive colorimetric detection of organophosphorus pesticides in food using biocompatible AP-Ptn NFs. The detection range was 0.5 μg/L - 140 mg/L, which was wider than many previously reported nanozyme detection systems. This colorimetric biosensor had good selectivity and good promise for bioassay analysis.

Biological Activity of Fermented Plant Extracts for Potential Dermal Applications

Fermented plant extracts (FPEs) are functional liquids formed as a result of the fermentation of fresh plants by microorganisms, mainly bacteria and fungi. The appropriate selection of plants, microorganism strains, and conditions under which the fermentation process is carried out is very important in terms of obtaining a suitable matrix of biologically active compounds with different biological properties. The purpose of this review is to provide verified data on the current knowledge acquired regarding the biological activity of FPEs for cosmetic use and dermal applications. The antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-melanogenic, and wound-healing activity of FPEs, as well as their potential dermal applications, will be described.

Microbiota-derived short chain fatty acids in fermented Kidachi Aloe promote antimicrobial, anticancer, and immunomodulatory activities

BACKGROUND

Fermented Aloe leaf juice is a commonly used food supplement in Japan. In a previous study, fermentation of A. arborescence juice was performed and the presence of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) was confirmed and quantified. Samples were collected before and after the fermentation process to be subjected, in the present study, to DNA extraction, 16S rRNA gene (V3-V4 regions) amplification, and sequencing by the next-generation Illumina MiSeq sequencer. Our work aims to analyze the sequences to assess the bacterial diversity in the juice before and after fermentation, identify the beneficial microbes responsible for the production of SCFAs, and evaluate some of the biological activities of the fermented juice.

RESULTS

Data revealed the richness and diversity of the bacterial community in the fermented juice compared to the unfermented control. Relative abundance of bacterial phyla showed that the majority of the microbial community in the test samples corresponded to Pseudomonadota (unfermented; 10.4%, fermented; 76.36%), followed by Bacillota (unfermented; 4.71%, fermented; 17.13%) and then Bacteroidota (unfermented; 0.57%, fermented; 1.64%). For the fermented sample, 84% of Bacillota were lactobacilli. A hierarchically clustered heatmap revealed that Lactobacillus was the most abundant genus in both samples suggesting its involvement in the production of SCFAs. To assess potential health benefits, the anticancer efficacy of the fermented product of A. arborescens was investigated against colorectal cancer (IC50 = 3.5 µg/ml) and liver cancer (IC50 = 6.367 µg/ml) compared to the normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Flow cytometric analysis of the cell cycle pattern revealed remarkable population arrest in G0 and G1, however, the highest percentages were mainly in the G1 phase for Hep-G2 (40.1%) and HCT-116 (53.2%) cell lines. This effect was accompanied by early apoptotic profiles of HCT-116 (36.9%) and late apoptosis for Hep-G2 (17.3%). Furthermore, immunomodulatory properties demonstrated a significantly (p < 0.001) reduced percentage of induced TNF-α while enhancing IFN-γ dramatically. For antimicrobial activities, marked broad-spectrum activities were recorded against some bacterial and fungal pathogens (17-37 mm inhibition zone diameter range).

CONCLUSION

Therefore, this study affords the basis of bacterial community composition in fermented A. arborescens juice as well as its potential biological benefits.

Biological and Cosmetical Importance of Fermented Raw Materials: An Overview

The cosmetics industry is currently looking for innovative ingredients with higher bioactivity and bioavailability for the masses of natural and organic cosmetics. Bioferments are innovative ingredients extracted from natural raw materials by carrying out a fermentation process with appropriate strains of microorganisms. The review was conducted using the SciFinder database with the keywords “fermented plant”, “cosmetics”, and “fermentation”. Mainly bioferments are made from plant-based raw materials. The review covers a wide range of fermented raw materials, from waste materials (whey with beet pulp) to plant oils (F-Shiunko, F-Artemisia, F-Glycyrrhiza). The spectrum of applications for bioferments is broad and includes properties such as skin whitening, antioxidant properties (blackberry, soybean, goji berry), anti-aging (red ginseng, black ginseng, Citrus unshiu peel), hydrating, and anti-allergic (aloe vera, skimmed milk). Fermentation increases the biochemical and physiological activity of the substrate by converting high-molecular compounds into low-molecular structures, making fermented raw materials more compatible compared to unfermented raw materials.

Anti-Wrinkle Effect of BB-1000: A Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Study

Skin aging usually results from intrinsic or extrinsic stress. Photodamage promotes skin damage and stimulates the skin, manifesting as wrinkles, dryness, roughness, and loss of elasticity. We have previously found that blackberry (Rubus fruticosus B) fermented by Lactobacillus plantarum JBMI F5, designated BB-1000, showed an in vitro and in vivo anti-skin-aging activity. In the present study, we have further evaluated the anti-aging effect of BB-1000 via a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled clinical trial. The trial included 102 volunteers aged 35 to 59 years who have dry skin and wrinkles. Subjects took BB-1000 or a placebo orally at 800 mg/day for 12 weeks. Skin hydration and degree of wrinkles around the eyes were measured at weeks 6 and 12. Skin hydration had no significant effect in both groups at weeks 6 and 12. Otherwise, volunteers in the BB-1000 group had a significant reduction in eye wrinkle grade at week 12. These findings suggest that BB-1000 may be considered a candidate anti-aging agent for preventing skin wrinkles as a nutricosmetic agent.