Potential Use of Amla (Phyllanthus emblica L.) Fruit Extract to Protect Skin Keratinocytes from Inflammation and Apoptosis after UVB Irradiation

Cornus officinalis Extract Enriched with Ursolic Acid Ameliorates UVB-Induced Photoaging in Caenorhabditis elegans

Ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure can contribute to photoaging of skin. Cornus officinalis is rich in ursolic acid (UA), which is beneficial to the prevention of photoaging. Because UA is hardly soluble in water, the Cornus officinalis extract (COE) was obtained using water as the antisolvent to separate the components containing UA from the crude extract of Cornus officinalis. The effect of COE on UVB damage was assessed using Caenorhabditis elegans. The results showed that COE could increase the lifespan and enhance the antioxidant enzyme activity of C. elegans exposed to UVB while decreasing the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level. At the same time, COE upregulated the expression of antioxidant-related genes and promoted the migration of SKN-1 to the nucleus. Moreover, COE inhibited the expression of the skn-1 downstream gene and the extension of the lifespan in skn-1 mutants exposed to UVB, indicating that SKN-1 was required for COE to function. Our findings indicate that COE mainly ameliorates the oxidative stress caused by UVB in C. elegans via the SKN-1/Nrf2 pathway.

Debittering of Emblica (Phyllanthus emblica L.) fruit powder: Preparation and biological activity

Emblica, also known as Phyllanthus emblica L., is a drug homologous food that is rich in polyphenols with various biological activities. However, its bitterness and astringency pose a significant challenge to its utilization in food products. In this study, we aimed to identify the optimal conditions for debittering Emblica. Our findings revealed that the best debittering conditions were: temperature = 50 °C, pH = 4, α-l-rhamnosidase concentration 200 U/g, and time = 5 h. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and molecular docking analysis revealed that enzymatic hydrolysis partially removed bitterness compounds. The results of antioxidant activity, xanthine oxidase, and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity assays confirmed that the Emblica fruit powder still exhibited good biological activity after enzymatic debitterization. Moreover, gastric fluids treatment might contribute to the above enhancing effect of enzymatic hydrolysates of Emblica. This study provided a theoretical basis for promoting the processing and utilization of Emblica fruit powder, as well as understanding its biological activity.

Recent Insights into the Morphological, Nutritional and Phytochemical Properties of Indian Gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica) for the Development of Functional Foods

Aonla, commonly known as Indian gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica), is a plant native to India with various therapeutic and dietary benefits. This review covers the taxonomical, morphological, and species-level classifications of aonla fruit, including its flower biology, maturation, harvesting, and yield metrics. It also discusses the nutritional, physico-chemical, and phytochemical characteristics and the total antioxidant and antimicrobial activities and mineral compositions of several aonla fruit cultivars. Additionally, the health benefits of aonla are reviewed, including its analgesic, antipyretic, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, ulcerogenic, chemo-protective, neuroprotective, free radical scavenging, hypoglycaemic, and immunogenic properties, which make it beneficial in the treatment and prevention of various illnesses. Further various forms of fruit extract are also considered to be beneficial for the improvement of plant and animal health. Overall, aonla is a valuable fruit with significant potential for use in improving human health.

Protective effect of isoquercitrin on UVB-induced injury in HaCaT cells and mice skin through anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and regulation of MAPK and JAK2-STAT3 pathways

Natural products are favored in the study of skin photodamage protection recently. Isoquercetin, namely 3-O-glucoside of quercetin, can be isolated from various plant species. In present research, the protective effect of isoquercitrin on UVB-induced injury in cells and mice skin were investigated. Our study reveals that 400 μM of isoquercitrin exhibits the best viability on UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells, and beneficial effects against oxidative stress UVB-induced in skin tissue by decreasing the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and simultaneously enhancing the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD). Additionally, isoquercitrin was identified as an anti-inflammatory agent by reducing the level of COX-2 by Western blot analysis, and inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α by ELISA, and UVB-induced epidermal thickening evidenced by H&E staining. It also effectively prevented UVB-induced collagen fibers from degradation identified by Masson staining. Isoquercitrin significantly inhibited MAPK pathway by downregulating the levels of AP-1, MMP-1, MMP-3, phospho-p38, phospho-JNK, phospho-ERK, cleaved caspase-9, cleaved caspase-3, and JAK2-STAT3 pathway by western blot analysis. In conclusion, isoquercitrin pretreatment protected mice skin from UVB irradiation-induced injury effectively, and the underlying mechanism may involve MAPK and JAK2-STAT3 signaling pathways.

Protective effect and mechanism research of Phyllanthus emblica Linn. fruit extract on UV-induced photodamage in keratinocytes

Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation causes acute and chronic cutaneous effects that may result in photodamage and photoaging. Epidermis keratinocytes, as the closest surface of skin, are susceptible to damage from UV rays. Phyllanthus emblica Linn. fruit (PE) extract, as a medicine and food dual-use plant, contains high levels of polyphenols and possesses multiple pharmacological properties. The present study investigated common and different molecular mechanisms and signaling pathway activations of UVA and UVB stimulated cell damage and photoprotective effect of PE extract against UVA and UVB by Methyl Thiazolyl Tetrazolium (MTT) method, Elisa assay, flow cytometry, differentially expressed genes analysis and western blot analysis. The results showed that UVA exposure (10 J/cm2) reduced HaCaT cell viability significantly, increased the apoptosis rate, elevated intracellular reactive oxygen species level and reduced antioxidant enzyme activities. And UVA irradiation could inhibit the ERK/TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway to downregulate collagen I, collagen III and elastin expressions, resulting in the photoaging of skin cells. We also found UVB exposure (30 mJ/cm2) caused HaCaT cell damage, promoted apoptosis, increased ROS production and induced the release of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1α, IL-6 and PGE2). Further, in HaCaT cells, UVB ray was able to induce the activation of apoptosis markers (cleaved PARP1 and cleaved caspase3) through the MAPK/AP-1 signaling pathway using western blot analysis. Pre-treatment of PE extract prevented the UVA and UVB induced photoaging and injury in HaCaT cells through activation of ERK/TGF-β/Smad pathway and inhibition of MAPK/AP-1 pathway, respectively. Therefore, PE extract has the potential to be used as an oral and topical preparation against skin aging and injury induced by UVA and UVB.

A novel deformable liposomal hydrogel loaded with a SREBP-1-inhibiting polypeptide for reducing sebum synthesis in golden hamster model

Excessive sebum is the major factor involved in the pathophysiology of seborrheic diseases. Chemical medicines can result in mild to severe side effects. Polypeptides with much less side effects make them ideal for reducing sebum synthesis. Sterol regulatory element-binding proteins-1 (SREBP-1) is necessary for the biosynthesis of sterols. A SREBP-1-inhibiting polypeptide (SREi), which competitively inhibits the ubiquitination of Insig-1 so as to suppress the activation of SREBP-1 was selected as an active ingredient and formulated into skin topical preparations. The SREi anionic deformable liposomes contained sodium deoxycholate (SDCh) at the concentration of 4.4 mg/mL (SREi-ADL3) and SREi-ADL3 in 0.3% (w/v) carbomer hydrogel (SREi-ADL3-GEL) were prepared and characterized. The SREi-ADL3 presented a high entrapment efficiency of 92.62 ± 6.32%, a particle size of 99.54 ± 7.56 nm and a surface charge of -19.18 ± 0.45 mV. SREi-ADL3-GEL exhibited a sustained release behavior, a higher stability, a much more cellular uptake ability and transdermal absorption. In vivo golden hamster model confirmed that SREi-ADL3-GEL presented the strongest inhibitory effect on sebaceous gland growth and sebum synthesis by down-regulating the mRNA and protein expression of SREBP-1, fatty acid synthase (FAS) and acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase 1 (ACC1). As confirmed by histological analysis, only a small amount of sebaceous gland lobes with the lightest staining intensity and the smallest dyeing area could be observed in the SREi-ADL3-GEL group. Taken together, SREi-ADL3-GEL displayed potential applications in sebum excessive production related diseases.

Dextran-Sulfate-Sodium-Induced Colitis-Ameliorating Effect of Aqueous Phyllanthus emblica L. Extract through Regulating Colonic Cell Gene Expression and Gut Microbiomes

The anti-inflammation effect of aqueous Phyllanthus emblica L. extract (APE) and its possible underlying mechanism in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced mice chronic colonic inflammation were studied. APE treatment significantly improved the colitic symptoms, including ameliorating the shortening of the colon, increasing the DSS-induced body weight loss, reducing the disease activity index, and reversing the condition of colon tissue damage of mucus lost and goblet cell reduction. Overproduction of serum pro-inflammatory cytokines were suppressed by the treatment of APE. Gut microbiome analysis showed that APE remodeled the structure of gut bacteria in phylum and genus levels, upregulating the abundance of phylum Bacteroidetes, family Muribaculaceae, and genus Bacteroides and downregulating the abundance of phylum Firmicutes. The reshaped gut microbiome caused metabolic functions and pathway change with enhanced queuosine biosynthesis and reduced polyamine synthesis pathway. Colon tissue transcriptome analysis further elucidated APE-inhibited mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathways and the expressions of the genes that promote the progress of colorectal cancer. It turned out that APE reshaped the gut microbiome and inhibited MAPK, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, and TNF signaling pathways as well as the colorectal-cancer-related genes to exert its colitis protective effect.

Biotechnological Approaches to Producing Natural Antioxidants: Anti-Ageing and Skin Longevity Prospects

Plants are the main source of bioactive compounds that can be used for the formulation of cosmetic products. Plant extracts have numerous proven health benefits, among which are anti-ageing and skin-care properties. However, with the increased demand for plant-derived cosmetic products, there is a crucial prerequisite for establishing alternative approaches to conventional methods to ensure sufficient biomass for sustainable production. Plant tissue culture techniques, such as in vitro root cultures, micropropagation, or callogenesis, offer the possibility to produce considerable amounts of bioactive compounds independent of external factors that may influence their production. This production can also be significantly increased with the implementation of other biotechnological approaches such as elicitation, metabolic engineering, precursor and/or nutrient feeding, immobilization, and permeabilization. This work aimed to evaluate the potential of biotechnological tools for producing bioactive compounds, with a focus on bioactive compounds with anti-ageing properties, which can be used for the development of green-label cosmeceutical products. In addition, some examples demonstrating the use of plant tissue culture techniques to produce high-value bioactive ingredients for cosmeceutical applications are also addressed, showing the importance of these tools and approaches for the sustainable production of plant-derived cosmetic products.

Tandem mass tag-based proteomics analysis reveals the multitarget mechanisms of Phyllanthus emblica against liver fibrosis

Phyllanthus emblica (PE), a traditional multiethnic herbal medicine, is commonly applied to treat liver diseases. Our previous study demonstrated that aqueous extract of PE (AEPE) could alleviate carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced liver fibrosis in vivo, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are still unclear. The present study was undertaken to clarify the multitarget mechanisms of PE in treating liver fibrosis by proteomics clues. A CCl₄-induced liver fibrosis rat model was established. The anti-liver fibrosis effects of chemical fractions from AEPE were evaluated by serum biochemical indicators and pathological staining. Additionally, tandem mass tag (TMT) - based quantitative proteomics technology was used to detect the hepatic differentially expressed proteins (DEPs). The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment, gene ontology (GO) enrichment and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network were used to perform bioinformatics analysis of DEPs. Western blot analysis was used to verify the key potential targets regulated by the effective fraction of AEPE. The low-molecular-weight fraction of AEPE (LWPE) was determined to be the optimal anti-liver fibrosis active fraction, that could significantly improve ALT, AST, HA, Col IV, PCIII, LN, Hyp levels and reduce the pathological fibrotic lesion of liver tissue in model rats. A total of 195 DEPs were screened after LWPE intervention. GO analysis showed that the DEPs were related mostly to extracellular matrix organization, actin binding, and extracellular exosomes. KEGG pathway analysis showed that DEPs are mainly related to ECM-receptor interactions, focal adhesion and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Combined with the GO, KEGG and Western blot results, COL1A2, ITGAV, TLR2, ACE, and PDGFRB may be potential targets for PE treatment of liver fibrosis. In conclusion, LWPE exerts therapeutic effects through multiple pathways and multiple targets regulation in the treatment of liver fibrosis. This study may provide proteomics clues for the continuation of research on liver fibrosis treatment with PE.

Phyllanthus emblica Extract-loaded Transfersomes for Hair Follicle Targeting: Phytoconstituents, Characterization, and Hair Growth Promotion

Phyllanthus emblica Linn. (PE) has been used to promote hair growth for decades. In this study, dried PE fruit powder was extracted, tested for biological activities, and loaded into transfersomes for hair follicle targeting. Before lyophilization, PE fruit powder was extracted using 2 solvent systems, water and 30% ethanol. The PE 30% ethanolic extract had higher antioxidant activity and total phenolic content than the PE aqueous extract. However, the cytotoxicity of the PE 30% ethanolic extract was higher than that of PE aqueous extract. As a result, the PE aqueous extract was analyzed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography and found that the major component of the PE aqueous extract was gallic acid. Afterward, the PE aqueous extract was tested for its potential to activate the expression of genes involved in hair growth promotion in human keratinocytes. At a non-toxic concentration (10 µg/mL), this extract promoted various growth factors comparable to 1% minoxidil. PE-loaded transfersomes were prepared to deliver the PE aqueous extract to the hair follicle. The particle size and polydispersity index of PE-loaded transfersomes were 228 nm and 0.25, respectively. After 3 months of storage, the particle size at 4°C and 30°C was 218 nm and 241 nm, respectively, which was comparable to its initial size. However, at 40°C, the particle size dramatically increased (315 nm). The fluorescent agent, rhodamine B, was used to evaluate the potential of transfersomes to target hair follicles. Rhodamine B transfersomes had better penetration and accumulation in hair follicles than rhodamine B solution. To conclude, the PE aqueous extract, mainly composed of gallic acid, can activate hair growth gene expression. The extract can be loaded into hair follicles targeting transfersomes. Thus, PE-loaded transfersomes are a promising delivery system for hair follicle targeting to promote hair growth.

Purple Corn Silk Extract Attenuates UVB-Induced Inflammation in Human Keratinocyte Cells

UVB is a causative factor for severe skin damage, such as cell aging, death, and inflammation. UVB easily permeates into the epidermis layer of human skin, which is mainly composed of keratinocyte cells. In previous results, we found that purple corn silk (PCS) extract showed the potential to inhibit keratinocyte damages of UVB-treated cells. Thus, in this study, we aimed to evaluate the preventive effects of PCS extract against the inflammation of UVB-induced keratinocyte cells using the HaCaT cell line. HaCaT cells were treated with PCS extract at various concentrations for 1 h, then exposed to 25 mJ/cm2 UVB before subsequent experiments. Fragmented DNA was observed using flow cytometry. The inflammatory response was investigated through NF-κB activity by immunofluorescence staining and related protein expression by Western blotting. The results demonstrated that PCS extract decreased the sub-G1 DNA content. Interestingly, PCS extract attenuated NF-κB activity via suppressed NF-κB nuclear translocation and protein expression. Moreover, PCS extract remarkably decreased c-Jun phosphorylation and decreased proinflammatory cytokines, along with iNOS and COX-2 levels in UVB-treated cells compared to the UVB-control group. This finding exhibited that PCS extract minimized inflammation in keratinocyte cells induced by UVB radiation.

Fresh Phyllanthus emblica (Amla) Fruit Supplementation Enhances Milk Fatty Acid Profiles and the Antioxidant Capacities of Milk and Blood in Dairy Cows

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a diet supplemented with fresh amla fruit as a natural feed additive on blood metabolic parameters, milk antioxidant capacity, and milk fatty acid (FA) proportions in lactating dairy cows. Eight ruminally cannulated mid-lactation dairy cows were used in a repeated crossover design. The first group of four cows received total mixed ration (TMR) feed without fresh amla fruit (control group). The remaining four cows sequentially supplemented fresh amla fruit (FAF) at three levels (200, 400, then 600 g/d) (treatment group) at 14-day intervals. In second period, control and treatment groups were exchanged. The first ten days were adjusted to diet adaptation for each sub-period, and the last four days for sampling milk and blood. A total of 514 metabolites were detected from FAF using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS. The five main metabolites in FAF were phenolic acids (22%), flavonoids (20%), lipids (20%), amino acids and derivatives (9%), and tannins (7%). Amla fruit supplementation reduced total saturated fatty acid and the omega-6/omega-3 ratio at 200 or 400 g/d FAF dose compared to controls. In addition, amla fruit increased unsaturated FA, such as C_20:5 (Eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA) and C_22:6 (docosahexaenoic acid, DHA), and branched-chain FA in a dose-dependent manner at 200 or 400 g/d compared to controls. In addition, amla fruit increased the antioxidant capacity biomarkers in the blood, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and albumin; this confirms that amla fruit is an excellent antioxidant, inhibiting reactive oxygen species’ (ROS) metabolism, and can thereby protect cells from oxidative stress. Moreover, the most remarkable improvement of ferric reducing-antioxidant power (FRAP) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in milk was recorded at 400 g/d FAF doses compared to controls. Therefore, fresh amla fruit doses for lactating cows at 400 g/d on an as-fed basis can be used as an alternative additive feed in dairy cow diets to improve antioxidant capacity, protein efficiency, butter quality, and to produce more desirable milk fatty acid profiles for human consumption.

Protective Effects of Linearthin and Other Chalcone Derivatives from Aspalathus linearis (Rooibos) against UVB Induced Oxidative Stress and Toxicity in Human Skin Cells

Skin cells suffer continuous damage from chronic exposure to ultraviolet light (UV) that may result in UV-induced oxidative stress and skin thinning. This has necessitated the formulation of cosmeceutical products rich in natural antioxidants and free radical scavengers. Aspalathus linearis (rooibos) is an endemic South African fynbos plant growing naturally in the Western Cape region. The plant is rich in phenolics and other bioactives with a wide spectrum of health benefits. The chemical study of an acetonic extract of green A. linearis afforded a novel compound named linearthin (1) and two known dihydrochalcones, aspalathin (2) and nothofagin (3). The chemical structure of the novel compound was elucidated based on spectroscopic data analysis. The bio-evaluation of the isolated chalcones in vitro for protection against UVB-induced oxidative stress were systematically assessed by examining cell viability, metabolic activity, apoptosis, and cytotoxicity using HaCaT and SK-MEL-1 skin cells models. It was observed that pre-treatment with tested samples for 4- and 24 h at low concentrations were sufficient to protect skin cells from UVB-induced damage in vitro as evidenced by higher cell viability and improved metabolic activity in both keratinocytes (HaCaT) and melanocytes (SK-MEL-1). The results further show that the pre-treatment regimen employed by this study involved some degree of cellular adaptation as evidenced by higher levels of reduced glutathione with a concomitant decrease in lipid peroxidation and lowered caspase 3 activity. Furthermore, compound 1 was most cytoprotective against UVB irradiation of HaCaT cell line (over 24 h) with an IC₅₀ of 282 µg/mL and SK-MEL-1 cell line with IC₅₀ values of 248.3 and 142.6 µg/mL over 4 and 24 h, respectively. On the other hand, HaCaT cells exposed to 2 over 4 h before UVB irradiation showed the highest degree of cytoprotection with an IC₅₀ of 398.9 µg/mL among the four studied samples. These results show that linearthin (1) and the two glycoside dihydrochalcone of A. linearis have the potential to be further developed as antioxidant cosmeceutical ingredients that may protect skin against UVB-induced damage.