Gallic Acid-Loaded Gel Formulation Combats Skin Oxidative Stress: Development, Characterization and Ex Vivo Biological Assays

Gallic acid: a dietary metabolite's therapeutic potential in the management of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) causes significant morbidity and mortality globally. Most of the chemicals specifically target certain pathways and minimally impact other diseases associated with ASCVD. Moreover, interactions of these drugs can cause toxic reactions. Consequently, the exploration of multi-targeted and safe medications for treating and preventing ASCVD has become an increasingly popular trend. Gallic acid (GA), a natural secondary metabolite found in various fruits, plants, and nuts, has demonstrated potentials in preventing and treating ASCVD, in addition to its known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. It alleviates the entire process of atherosclerosis (AS) by reducing oxidative stress, improving endothelial dysfunction, and inhibiting platelet activation and aggregation. Additionally, GA can treat ASCVD-related diseases, such as coronary heart disease (CHD) and cerebral ischemia. However, the pharmacological actions of GA in the prevention and treatment of ASCVD have not been comprehensively reviewed, which limits its clinical development. This review primarily summarizes the in vitro and in vivo pharmacological actions of GA on the related risk factors of ASCVD, AS, and ASCVD. Additionally, it provides a comprehensive overview of the toxicity, extraction, synthesis, pharmacokinetics, and pharmaceutics of GA,aimed to enhance understanding of its clinical applications and further research and development.

Antiaging Properties of Kalanchoe blossfeldiana Ethanol Extract-Ex Vivo and In Vitro Studies

Species of the genus Kalanchoe have a long history of therapeutic use in ethnomedicine, linked to their remarkable medical properties. These species include Kalanchoe blossfeldiana succulents, which grow in tropical regions. Despite the great interest in this plant, there are no reports about its therapeutic effects on the skin. In this study, the antioxidant properties of K. blossfeldiana ethanol extracts and the skin permeation of a topical hydrogel containing the extract (HKB) were assessed. Additionally, the content of active compounds in the K. blossfeldiana extract was evaluated by UHPLC-MS and HPLC-UV. The extract was analyzed with three antioxidant assays: ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP. Furthermore, the antielastase and antihialuronidase properties of the tested extract were assessed. Ex vivo penetration studies were performed using the Franz diffusion cells. The estimation of the cytotoxicity of HKB was performed by using an MTT assay ((4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) on the human fibroblasts HFF-1. The results obtained show that the antioxidant properties of K. blossfeldiana extract were similar to those of ascorbic acid, while antielastase and antihialuronidase tests indicated the strong antiaging and anti-inflammatory activity of the extract (IC50 was 26.8 ± 0.13 and 77.31 ± 2.44 µg/mL, respectively). Moreover, active ingredients contained in K. blossfeldiana extract penetrated through the human skin and accumulated in it. The cytotoxicity test showed that HKB had no significant effect on human fibroblasts at a concentration up to 0.5%. In conclusion, the hydrogel containing the K. blossfeldiana extract can be considered as an interesting and new alternative to dermatologic and cosmetic preparations.

Development of gallic acid loaded composite nanovesicles for the topical treatment of acne: optimization, characterization, and clinical investigation

Gallic acid (GA) proved to produce desired effects topically in the treatment of acne, through its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics. In the current work, nanovesicular systems; aspasomes loaded with GA were prepared, and evaluated on in-vitro and ex-vivo levels. Formulations were coated with chitosan due to its mucoadhesive properties. Results indicated that the size of the formulations ranged between 273.20 and 855.00 nm, with positively charged zeta potential ranging between 30.60 and 34.40 mV, EE% ranging between 57.651% and 95.20% and good stability after 3-months storage. The formulae provided a sustained drug release of 98.22% over 24 h, 5.4-fold higher ex-vivo skin deposition compared to GA solution, and powerful antioxidant potential compared to the control solution and appeared as spherical bilayer vesicles on being examined using transmission electron microscope. A clinical study was carried out on patients suffering from acne, where the reduction percent of comedones, inflammatory, total acne lesions and infiltrate was calculated. Results revealed that aspasomes exhibited reduction percentages of 72.35%, 80.33%, 77.95% and 90.01% ± for comedones, inflammatory lesions, total lesions, and infiltrate, respectively compared to control solution providing an effective topical delivery system for the management of acne.

Optimization of an ultrasound-assisted extraction method to obtain gallic acid-rich extracts from mango seed kernels

Gallic acid is a widely recognized bioactive compound that falls under the category of secondary polyphenolic metabolites and is fairly found in mango fruit waste, specifically in mango seed kernel (MSK). This study aimed to adopt a green extraction approach to extract this valuable compound via ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) without using organic solvents but only water to obtain hazard-free extracts, and the cost of extraction can be minimal. pH (2-8), solvent ratio (20-60 mL/g), temperature (30-60°C) and time (30-60 min) of extraction were the independent variables used for extraction optimization. Single-factor experiments to obtain working ranges for selected extraction variables were carried out. A central composite design using response surface methodology was used to determine the optimum condition to obtain the maximum yield of gallic acid from MSK. The optimized extraction conditions were 3.9 pH, 36.25 mL/g solvent ratio, and 39.4°C of extraction temperature for 21.3 min. As a result, the optimized yield was 5.76 ± 0.41 mg/g, which was comparably equal to and/or better than the other solvent extraction systems. The results showed that gallic acid could efficiently be extracted via UAE under these optimal conditions. It is safer than extraction systems involving hazardous solvents that can be feasibly used for its nutraceutical and therapeutic applications.

Mechanism of skin whitening through San-Bai decoction-induced tyrosinase inhibition and discovery of natural products targeting tyrosinase

Melanin deposition is the main cause of skin darkening, which can lead to severe physical and psychological distress, necessitating the development of approaches for preserving skin health and fairness. Tyrosinase (TYR) is the rate-limiting enzyme in melanin synthesis, and its activity directly determines the degree of melanin accumulation in the skin, which in turn affects skin color. Currently, TYR inhibitors derived from natural products are widely used for skin whitening. San-Bai decoction (SBD) is effective for skin whitening and softening, but its mechanism of action, efficacy and high efficiency TYR inhibitors for skin whitening remain poorly understood. Here, we employed systems biology and network pharmacology to analyze the active compounds and targets of SBD, using the follow databases: TCMIP, TCMID, and BATMAN-TCM. Construct a molecular network centered on the regulation of TYR by SBD in skin whitening, using STRING database and cytoscape. Enrichment analysis using KOBAS database and ClusterProfiler. Virtual screening of candidate TYR inhibitors using Molecular Operating Environment software and Amber 18 software. SBD may act through tyrosine metabolism, melanogenesis, and other signaling pathways to regulate TYR activity and inhibit melanogenesis. We identified TYR and ESR1 as possible key targets for the whitening effect of SBD and screened out pentagalloylglucose, 1,3,6-tri-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose, 1,2,4,6-tetragalloylglucose, and liquiritigenin 4',7-diglucoside as inhibitors of TYR, in addition to glycyrrhizic acid, pachymic acid methyl ester, nicotiflorin, gamma-sitosterol, and isoliensinine as inhibitors of ESR1. We also performed virtual drug screening of a library of natural small-molecule compounds (19,505 in total) and screened out lycopsamine, 2-phenylethyl b-D-glucopyranoside, and 6-beta-hydroxyhyoscyamine as inhibitors of TYR. We identified natural compounds with the potential for skin whitening through inhibition of TYR, thus advancing research on SBD and its applications.

Antioxidant Biomaterials in Cutaneous Wound Healing and Tissue Regeneration: A Critical Review

Natural-based biomaterials play an important role in developing new products for medical applications, primarily in cutaneous injuries. A large panel of biomaterials with antioxidant properties has revealed an advancement in supporting and expediting tissue regeneration. However, their low bioavailability in preventing cellular oxidative stress through the delivery system limits their therapeutic activity at the injury site. The integration of antioxidant compounds in the implanted biomaterial should be able to maintain their antioxidant activity while facilitating skin tissue recovery. This review summarises the recent literature that reported the role of natural antioxidant-incorporated biomaterials in promoting skin wound healing and tissue regeneration, which is supported by evidence from in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies. Antioxidant-based therapies for wound healing have shown promising evidence in numerous animal studies, even though clinical studies remain very limited. We also described the underlying mechanism of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and provided a comprehensive review of ROS-scavenging biomaterials found in the literature in the last six years.

Thermo and Photoresponsive Emulgel Loaded with Copaifera reticulata Ducke and Chlorophylls: Rheological, Mechanical, Photodynamic and Drug Delivery Properties in Human Skin

Recently, the number of new cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis has been of concern among health agencies. Research that offers new therapeutic alternatives is advantageous, especially those that develop innovative drugs. Therefore, this paper presents the incorporation of Copaifera reticulata Ducke and chlorophyll extract into Pluronic^®® F127 and Carbopol gels, under optimized polymer quantities. The chlorophyll extract (rich in photosensitizing compounds) was obtained by continuous-flow pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), a clean, environmentally friendly method. The system aims to act as as a leishmanicidal, cicatrizant, and antibiotic agent, with reinforcement of the photodynamic therapy (PDT) action. Rheological and mechanical analyses, permeation studies and bioadhesiveness analyses on human skin, and PDT-mediated activation of Staphylococcus aureus were performed. The emulgels showed gelation between 13° and 15 °C, besides pseudoplastic and viscoelastic properties. Furthermore, the systems showed transdermal potential, by releasing chlorophylls and C. reticulata Ducke into the deep layers of human skin, with good bioadhesive performance. The application of PDT reduced three logarithmic colony-forming units of S. aureus bacteria. The results support the potential of the natural drug for future clinical trials in treating wounds and cutaneous leishmania.

Versatile Applications of Cyanobacteria in Biotechnology

Cyanobacteria are blue-green Gram-negative and photosynthetic bacteria which are seen as one of the most morphologically numerous groups of prokaryotes. Because of their ability to fix gaseous nitrogen and carbon dioxide to organic materials, they are known to play important roles in the universal nutrient cycle. Cyanobacteria has emerged as one of the promising resources to combat the issues of global warming, disease outbreaks, nutrition insecurity, energy crises as well as persistent daily human population increases. Cyanobacteria possess significant levels of macro and micronutrient substances which facilitate the versatile popularity to be utilized as human food and protein supplements in many countries such as Asia. Cyanobacteria has been employed as a complementary dietary constituent of feed for poultry and as vitamin and protein supplement in aquatic lives. They are effectively used to deal with numerous tasks in various fields of biotechnology, such as agricultural (including aquaculture), industrial (food and dairy products), environmental (pollution control), biofuel (bioenergy) and pharmaceutical biotechnology (such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressant, anticoagulant and antitumor); recently, the growing interest of applying them as biocatalysts has been observed as well. Cyanobacteria are known to generate a numerous variety of bioactive compounds. However, the versatile potential applications of cyanobacteria in biotechnology could be their significant growth rate and survival in severe environmental conditions due to their distinct and unique metabolic pathways as well as active defensive mechanisms. In this review, we elaborated on the versatile cyanobacteria applications in different areas of biotechnology. We also emphasized the factors that could impede the implementation to cyanobacteria applications in biotechnology and the execution of strategies to enhance their effective applications.

Recent Advances in Herbal-Derived Products with Skin Anti-Aging Properties and Cosmetic Applications

Although aesthetic benefits are a desirable effect of the treatment of skin aging, it is also important in controlling several skin diseases, mainly in aged people. The development of new dermocosmetics has rapidly increased due to consumers' demand for non-invasive products with lower adverse effects than those currently available on the market. Natural compounds of plant origin and herbal-derived formulations have been popularized due to their various safe active products, which act through different mechanisms of action on several signaling pathways for skin aging. Based on this, the aim of the review was to identify the recent advances in herbal-derived product research, including herbal formulations and isolated compounds with skin anti-aging properties. The studies evaluated the biological effects of herbal-derived products in in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo studies, highlighting the effects that were reported in clinical trials with available pharmacodynamics data that support their protective effects to treat, prevent, or control human skin aging. Thus, it was possible to identify that gallic and ferulic acids and herbal formulations containing Thymus vulgaris, Panax ginseng, Triticum aestivum, or Andrographis paniculata are the most promising natural products for the development of new dermocosmetics with skin anti-aging properties.

Intelligent Paper-Free Sprayable Skin Mask Based on an In Situ Formed Janus Hydrogel of an Environmentally Friendly Polymer

Traditional skin care masks usually use a piece of paper to hold the aqueous essences, which are not environmentally friendly and not easy to use. While a paper-free mask is desired, it is faced with a dilemma of moisture holding and rapid release of encapsulated bioactive substances. Herein, a paper-free sprayable skin mask is designed from an intelligent material-a thermogel which undergoes sol-gel-suspension transitions upon heating-to solve this dilemma. A synthesized block copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(lactide-co-glycolide) with appropriate ratios can be dissolved in water, and thus easily mixed with a biological substance. The mixture is sprayable. After spraying, a Janus film is formed in situ with a physical gel on the outside and a suspension on the inside facing skin. Thus, both moisture holding and rapid release are achieved. Such a thermogel composed of biodegradable amphiphilic block copolymers loaded with nicotinamide as a skin mask is verified to reduce pigmentation on a 3D pigmented reconstructed epidermis model and further in a clinical study. This work might be stimulating for investigations and applications of biodegradable and intelligent soft matter in the fields of drug delivery and regenerative medicine.

In Vitro Cell Culture of Rhus coriaria L.: A Standardized Phytocomplex Rich of Gallic Acid Derivatives with Antioxidant and Skin Repair Activity

This study focused on the biological evaluation and chemical characterization of a new ingredient obtained by in vitro cell culture of Rhus coriaria L. An in vitro plant cell culture method permits to cultivate plant in a short period of time and to obtain extract with a high safety profile for the consumer, free from heavy metals, pesticides, aflatoxins, bacterial or fungal contamination. Through the selection of specific cell culture media, it was possible to obtain a Rhus coriaria cell line with a high content of gallic acid derivatives. The Rhus coriaria L. phytocomplex (RC-P), containing 7.6% w/w of acid gallic derivatives, was obtained by drying of plant cell biomass after 14 days of growth in the final selected culture medium. UPLC-ESI-MS and UPLC-DAD analysis allowed to identify numerous gallic acid derivatives, such as galloyl hexose, trigalloyl hexose and high molecular weight galloyl derivatives, and to quantify their overall content. The antioxidant activity of the RC-P was tested by DPPH assay and the wound healing activity was evaluated using a scratch wound healing test on human keratinocytes and fibroblasts. This work showed that RC-P could be a new effective cosmetic ingredient with antioxidant and skin repair activity.

Bioactive Metabolites Produced by Cyanobacteria for Growth Adaptation and Their Pharmacological Properties

Cyanobacteria are the most abundant oxygenic photosynthetic organisms inhabiting various ecosystems on earth. As with all other photosynthetic organisms, cyanobacteria release oxygen as a byproduct during photosynthesis. In fact, some cyanobacterial species are involved in the global nitrogen cycles by fixing atmospheric nitrogen. Environmental factors influence the dynamic, physiological characteristics, and metabolic profiles of cyanobacteria, which results in their great adaptation ability to survive in diverse ecosystems. The evolution of these primitive bacteria resulted from the unique settings of photosynthetic machineries and the production of bioactive compounds. Specifically, bioactive compounds play roles as regulators to provide protection against extrinsic factors and act as intracellular signaling molecules to promote colonization. In addition to the roles of bioactive metabolites as indole alkaloids, terpenoids, mycosporine-like amino acids, non-ribosomal peptides, polyketides, ribosomal peptides, phenolic acid, flavonoids, vitamins, and antimetabolites for cyanobacterial survival in numerous habitats, which is the focus of this review, the bioactivities of these compounds for the treatment of various diseases are also discussed.

The beauty of biocatalysis: sustainable synthesis of ingredients in cosmetics

Covering: 2015 up to July 2021The market for cosmetics is consumer driven and the desire for green, sustainable and natural ingredients is increasing. The use of isolated enzymes and whole-cell organisms to synthesise these products is congruent with these values, especially when combined with the use of renewable, recyclable or waste feedstocks. The literature of biocatalysis for the synthesis of ingredients in cosmetics in the past five years is herein reviewed.

Fermented pomegranate extracts protect against oxidative stress and aging of skin

BACKGROUND

Punica granatum (pomegranate) potentially ameliorates skin inflammation and pain, including herpetic stromal keratitis. Fermentation is a biotechnological technique that may naturally induce health benefits by producing antioxidants. However, the anti-aging effect of fermented pomegranate extracts (FPE) on the skin is still unclear.

AIM

This investigation evaluates the effects of fermented pomegranate as a functional supplement (FPE drink, FPE-D) and a cosmetic ingredient (FPE serum, FPE-S) in vitro and in vivo.

PATIENTS/METHODS

The effects of FPE products for anti-oxidation, anti-tyrosinase, anti-inflammation, and anti-aging were examined. Forty subjects were randomly allocated to FPE-D or placebo drink groups (50 ml of a FPE-D /placebo drink daily for 8 weeks for each subject), and another 40 subjects were recruited to FPE-S or placebo serum groups (about 3 ml of a FPE-S /placebo serum daily and nightly/daily for 4 weeks for each subject) in a double-blind study.

RESULTS

The effects of FPE products on the DPPH, ABTS⁺ , and NO· free radical scavenging activities, their inhibiting of tyrosinase activity and their enhancement of the skin health of healthy subjects, were investigated. FPE-D improved the moisture, brightness, elasticity, and collagen density of the skin of most subjects at 8 weeks relative to the baseline without treatment (p < 0.05). After 4 weeks of FPE-S serum consumption, the moisture, brightness, elasticity, spots, UV spots, and collagen density of skin were slightly better than those at week 0 (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The daily consumption of fermented pomegranate extracts can protect the skin against oxidative stress and slow skin aging.

Coffee pulp supplement affects antioxidant status and favors anti-aging of skin in healthy subjects

BACKGROUND

Coffee and coffee products are known potentially to reduce levels of oxidative stress biomarkers in humans.

OBJECTIVE

This investigation evaluates the effects of coffee pulp extract as a functional supplement (in coffee pulp drink, CPD) and a cosmetic ingredient (coffee pulp serum, CPS).

PATIENTS/METHODS

The effects of CPD and CPS for anti-oxidation and anti-aging were investigated. Forty subjects were randomly allocated to CPD or placebo drink groups (50 ml of a CPD/placebo drink daily for 8 weeks for each subject), and another 40 subjects were recruited to CPS or placebo serum groups (about 3 ml of a CPS/placebo serum day and night/daily for 4 weeks for each subject) in a double-blind study.

RESULTS

The CPD and CPS (20%) can increase free radical scavenging activities by 93.3% and 85% (p < 0.001) for DPPH, 94.5% and 61.3% (p < 0.01) for ABTS·⁺ , 43.8% and 15.3% (p < 0.05) for NO· than placebo. The inhibition of tyrosinase activity was increased by 91.6% and 51.0% (p < 0.05) after CPD and CPS application. The CPD comprehensively improved the moisture, brightness, elasticity, spotting, texture, and collagen content of skin for most subjects after 8 weeks, relative to the baseline without treatment (p < 0.05). After 4 weeks of CPS serum consumption, the brightness, elasticity, spotting, UV spots, and collagen content of skin were slightly better than those at week 0 (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The daily consumption of coffee pulp extract products can slow the skin aging process and improve skin health.

Gallic acid protects against Aflatoxin B1 -induced oxidative and inflammatory stress damage in rats kidneys and liver

The adverse effect of Aflatoxin B1 (AFB₁ ) exposure in both humans and rodents has been widely reported. The beneficial health effects of gallic acid (GA) against AFB₁ -induced toxicity in vitro have been published. Here, we present in vivo findings on AFB₁ and GA on hepatorenal function in rats, exposed to AFB₁ (75 µg/kg body weight) only or co-treated with GA (20 or 40 mg/kg) for 28 successive days. AFB₁ significantly increased pro-inflammatory biomarkers and suppressed IL-10 levels in rats' liver and kidney. AFB₁ caused increased (p < .05) oxidative stress by decreasing antioxidant enzymes levels and increasing levels of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. Furthermore, reduction (p < .05) in cellular glutathione (GSH) levels and increased (p < .05) hepatorenal markers of toxicity were detected in rats treated with AFB₁ . These observed alterations were, however, reversed in GA co-treated rats. GA ameliorated AFB₁ -induced hepatorenal dysfunction by decreasing oxidative stress and inflammation in rats. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: GA can chemoprotect against the damaging effects of toxins contaminating food. GA is widely distributed in plants and in use in industries as antioxidant, immune-regulator, and natural defense agent against infections when consumed. Here, we disclosed that GA ameliorates AFB₁ -induced hepatorenal dysfunction by suppressing oxidative stress, inflammation, and enhanced apoptosis, thus improving hepatorenal functions in rats exposed to AFB_1.

Bioprinting 101: Design, Fabrication, and Evaluation of Cell-Laden 3D Bioprinted Scaffolds

3D bioprinting is an additive manufacturing technique that recapitulates the native architecture of tissues. This is accomplished through the precise deposition of cell-containing bioinks. The spatiotemporal control over bioink deposition permits for improved communication between cells and the extracellular matrix, facilitates fabrication of anatomically and physiologically relevant structures. The physiochemical properties of bioinks, before and after crosslinking, are crucial for bioprinting complex tissue structures. Specifically, the rheological properties of bioinks determines printability, structural fidelity, and cell viability during the printing process, whereas postcrosslinking of bioinks are critical for their mechanical integrity, physiological stability, cell survival, and cell functions. In this review, we critically evaluate bioink design criteria, specifically for extrusion-based 3D bioprinting techniques, to fabricate complex constructs. The effects of various processing parameters on the biophysical and biochemical characteristics of bioinks are discussed. Furthermore, emerging trends and future directions in the area of bioinks and bioprinting are also highlighted. Graphical abstract [Figure: see text] Impact statement Extrusion-based 3D bioprinting is an emerging additive manufacturing approach for fabricating cell-laden tissue engineered constructs. This review critically evaluates bioink design criteria to fabricate complex tissue constructs. Specifically, pre- and post-printing evaluation approaches are described, as well as new research directions in the field of bioink development and functional bioprinting are highlighted.