Effect of gintonin on matrix metalloproteinase-9 concentration in tears during corneal wound healing in rabbits

Panax ginseng Meyer cv. Silvatica phenolic acids protect DNA from oxidative damage by activating Nrf2 to protect HFF-1 cells from UVA-induced photoaging

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Long-wave ultraviolet A (UVA) causes skin aging by damaging the fine structures of the skin, such as elastic fibers and collagen fibers, through oxidation. Currently, the use of plant extracts to protect skin from photoaging is a popular method. Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer exerts commendable anti-photoaging and antioxidant effects. P. ginseng Meyer cv. Silvatica, also known as forest ginseng (FG), is a type of ginseng cultivated by artificially simulating the growth environment of wild ginseng aged >15 years. However, there are only a few reports on its anti-photoaging effect on the skin caused by UVA stimulation.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate whether isolated and extracted FG can inhibit skin photoaging as well as to explore its action mechanism.

METHODS

The FG extract (FGE) was obtained from the supernatant of FG after water extraction and alcohol precipitation with the D101 resin. The composition and content of phenolic acids in FGE were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The MTT assay was performed to detect cell viability. The ratio of SA-β-GAL-positive cells, CoL-I level, 8-OHdG concentration, MDA, GSH, GPx, SOD, and CAT activity were measured using relevant kits. Furthermore, cell cycle alterations and ROS accumulation were assessed by flow cytometry. The expressions of p53, p21, p16, and Keap1 protein were detected by Western blotting. The Nrf2 translocation was monitored by immunofluorescence staining.

RESULTS

The findings revealed that FGE significantly restored UVA injury-induced cell viability, reduced the proportion of SA-β-GAL-positive cells, and increased the level of CoL-I secretion in a dose-dependent manner, where the main ingredients were chlorogenic acid, protocatechuic acid, salicylic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid, ferulic acid, and caffeic acid. Further studies indicated that this phenolic acid mixture (PAM) could alleviate UVA-induced HFF-1 cell cycle arrest and protect the DNA from oxidative damage caused by UVA stimulation. Moreover, the expressions of cell cycle regulatory proteins p53, p21, and p16 and the accumulation of ROS were inhibited, the translocation of Nrf2 into the nucleus was promoted, the expression of Keap1 protein was inhibited, the activity of intracellular antioxidant indicators GSH, GPx, SOD, and CAT was enhanced, and the expression of malondialdehyde (MDA) was inhibited.

CONCLUSIONS

Collectively, our results demonstrated that FG phenolic acids protect DNA from oxidative damage by activating Nrf2 to safeguard the skin from photoaging induced by UVA stimulation.

The Wound-Healing Potential of Olea europaea L. Cv. Arbequina Leaves Extract: An Integrated In Vitro, In Silico, and In Vivo Investigation

Olea europaea L. Cv. Arbequina (OEA) (Oleaceae) is an olive variety species that has received little attention. Besides our previous work for the chemical profiling of OEA leaves using LC−HRESIMS, an additional 23 compounds are identified. An excision wound model is used to measure wound healing action. Wounds are provided with OEA (2% w/v) or MEBO® cream (marketed treatment). The wound closure rate related to vehicle-treated wounds is significantly increased by OEA. Comparing to vehicle wound tissues, significant levels of TGF-β in OEA and MEBO® (p < 0.05) are displayed by gene expression patterns, with the most significant levels in OEA-treated wounds. Proinflammatory TNF-α and IL-1β levels are substantially reduced in OEA-treated wounds. The capability of several lignan-related compounds to interact with MMP-1 is revealed by extensive in silico investigation of the major OEA compounds (i.e., inverse docking, molecular dynamics simulation, and ΔG calculation), and their role in the wound-healing process is also characterized. The potential of OEA as a potent MMP-1 inhibitor is shown in subsequent in vitro testing (IC50 = 88.0 ± 0.1 nM). In conclusion, OEA is introduced as an interesting therapeutic candidate that can effectively manage wound healing because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Protective effect of oligosaccharides isolated from Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer against UVB-induced skin barrier damage in BALB/c hairless mice and human keratinocytes

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Skin barrier dysfunction can lead to water and electrolyte loss, triggering homeostatic imbalances that can trigger atopic dermatitis and anaphylaxis. Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb with known therapeutic benefits for the treatment of skin diseases, including photodamage repair effects and reduction of pigmentation. However, few reports exist that describe effectiveness of ginseng active components for repair of skin barrier damage.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ginseng oligosaccharide extract (GSO) was prepared from P. ginseng via water extraction followed by ethanol precipitation and resin and gel purification. GSO composition and structural characteristics were determined using LC-MS, HPLC, FT-IR, and NMR. To evaluate GSO as a skin barrier repair-promoting treatment, skin of UVB-irradiated BALB/c hairless mice was treated with or without GSO then skin samples were evaluated for epidermal thickness, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and stratum corneum water content. In addition, UVB-exposed skin samples and HaCaT cells were analyzed to assess GSO treatment effects on levels of epidermal cornified envelope (CE) protein and other skin barrier proteins, such as filaggrin (FLG), involucrin (IVL), and aquaporin-3 (AQP3). Meanwhile, GSO treatment was also evaluated for effects on UVB-irradiated hairless mouse skin and HaCaT cells based on levels of serine protease inhibitor Kazal type-5 (SPINK5), trypsin-like kallikrein-related peptidase 5 (KLK5), chymotrypsin-like KLK7, and desmoglein 1 (DSG1). These proteins are associated with UVB-induced skin barrier damage manifesting as dryness and desquamation.

RESULTS

GSO was shown to consist of oligosaccharides comprised of seven distinct types of monosaccharides with molecular weights of approximately 1 kDa that were covalently linked together via β-glycosidic bonds. In vivo, GSO applied to dorsal skin of BALB/c hairless mice attenuated UVB-induced epidermal thickening and moisture loss. Furthermore, GSO ameliorated UVB-induced reductions of levels of FLG, IVL, and AQP3 proteins. Additionally, GSO treatment led to increased DSG1 protein levels due to decreased expression of KLK7. In vitro, GSO treatment of UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells led to increases of FLG, IVL, and AQP3 mRNA levels and corresponding proteins, while mRNA levels of desquamation-related proteins SPINK5, KLK5, KLK7, and DSG1 and associated protein levels were restored to normal levels.

CONCLUSION

A P. ginseng oligosaccharide preparation repaired UVB-induced skin barrier damage by alleviating skin dryness and desquamation symptoms, highlighting its potential as a natural cosmetic additive that can promote skin barrier repair after UVB exposure.