Beneficial effects of dried pomegranate juice concentrated powder on ultraviolet B-induced skin photoaging in hairless mice

Krill Oil's Protective Benefits against Ultraviolet B-Induced Skin Photoaging in Hairless Mice and In Vitro Experiments

Krill oil (KO) shows promise as a natural marine-derived ingredient for improving skin health. This study investigated its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-wrinkle, and moisturizing effects on skin cells and UVB-induced skin photoaging in hairless mice. In vitro assays on HDF, HaCaT, and B16/F10 cells, as well as in vivo experiments on 60 hairless mice were conducted. A cell viability assay, diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity test, elastase inhibition assay, procollagen content test, MMP-1 inhibition test, and hyaluronan production assay were used to experiment on in vitro cell models. Mice received oral KO administration (100, 200, or 400 mg/kg) once a day for 15 weeks and UVB radiation three times a week. L-Ascorbic acid (L-AA) was orally administered at 100 mg/kg once daily for 15 weeks, starting from the initial ultraviolet B (UVB) exposures. L-AA administration followed each UVB session (0.18 J/cm2) after one hour. In vitro, KO significantly countered UVB-induced oxidative stress, reduced wrinkles, and prevented skin water loss by enhancing collagen and hyaluronic synthesis. In vivo, all KO dosages showed dose-dependent inhibition of oxidative stress-induced inflammatory photoaging-related skin changes. Skin mRNA expressions for hyaluronan synthesis and collagen synthesis genes also increased dose-dependently after KO treatment. Histopathological analysis confirmed that krill oil (KO) ameliorated the damage caused by UVB-irradiated skin tissues. The results imply that KO could potentially act as a positive measure in diminishing UVB-triggered skin photoaging and address various skin issues like wrinkles and moisturization when taken as a dietary supplement.

Pomegranate natural extract Pomanox® positively modulates skin health-related parameters in normal and UV-induced photoaging conditions in Hs68 human fibroblast cells

Skin photoaging is primarily caused by ultraviolet radiation and can lead to the degradation of skin extracellular matrix components, resulting in hyperpigmentation and skin elasticity loss. In this area, polyphenols have become of great interest because of their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiaging properties. Here, we evaluated the effects of the pomegranate natural extract Pomanox^® on skin health-related parameters in normal and UV-induced photoaging conditions in human fibroblast Hs68 cells. Moreover, the inhibitory effects of Pomanox^® on tyrosinase activity were assessed. In normal conditions, Pomanox^® significantly modulated collagen and hyaluronic acid metabolisms. In UV-exposed cells, both preventive and regenerative treatments with Pomanox^® positively modulated hyaluronic acid metabolism and decreased ROS levels. However, only the preventive treatment modulated collagen metabolism. Finally, Pomanox^® showed a marked inhibitory capacity of tyrosinase activity (IC50 = 394.7 μg/mL). The modulation of skin health-related parameters exhibited by Pomanox^® open a wide range of potential applications of this product.

Pomegranate: A review of the heavenly healer's past, present, and future

In the great Persian Empire, pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) had a wide reputation for use both as an herbal medicine and nutritious food. It was also a symbol of peace and love according to Achaemenid limestones in the great Persia. This paper aims to review the traditional uses of pomegranate in Persian and Islamic traditional medicine and have thorough and current information regarding the pharmacology and phytochemistry of this valuable plant for practical use and further research. Relevant information about P. granatum was collected from scientific publishers and databases including Elsevier, Wiley, PubMed, and Google Scholar between 1950 and 2022. The traditional knowledge was extracted from Persian and Islamic traditional textbooks. Based on traditional textbooks, pomegranate has beneficial effects on diseases related to gastrointestinal, upper and lower respiratory, visual, and reproductive systems. In addition, pomegranate and its preparations have been prescribed for treating metabolic disorders, skin problems, and wounds as well as dental protection. Preclinical and clinical evidence supports many therapeutic potentials of pomegranate in traditional medicine. Its therapeutic effects are mostly attributed to its polyphenols. The knowledge in Persian and Islamic traditional textbooks about pomegranate and its preparations can be used as a guide for further preclinical and mainly clinical studies to discover the therapeutic potential of this valuable plant.

Standardized Pomegranate (Pomella®) and Red Maple (Maplifa®) Extracts and Their Phenolics Protect Type I Collagen by the Inhibition of Matrix Metalloproteinases, Collagenase, and Collagen Cross-Linking

Phenolics enriched pomegranate fruit (Pomella®) and red maple leaf (Maplifa®) extracts and their major phenolic constituents have demonstrated beneficial skin effects through the protection of human skin keratinocytes from oxidative-stress-induced damage. However, their mechanisms of protection of cutaneous collagen are still unclear. Herein, the collagen protective effects of Pomella® and Maplifa®, and their major bioactive phytochemicals, namely, punicalagin (PA) and ginnalin A (GA), respectively, were evaluated using enzymatic assays including collagenase, anti-glycation and cell-based models as well as computational methods. The importance of the modulatory effects was validated at the protein level for type I collagen and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) using human-skin-derived keratinocytes. The synergistic collagenase inhibitory effects upon combinations of Pomella® + Maplifa® and PA + GA at a combination ratio of 1:2 and 1:1, respectively, were evaluated using their combination index (CI; a well-established assessment of synergism). Pomella® (50-400 µg/mL), Maplifa® (100-800 µg/mL), PA (50-400 µM), and GA (50-400 µM) dose-dependently inhibited collagenase activity by 26.3-86.3%, 25.7-94.0%, 26.2-94.0%, and 12.0-98.0%, respectively. The CI of the anti-collagenase activity of Pomella® and Maplifa® ranged from 0.53-0.90, while that of PA and GA (12.5/12.5 and 25/25 µM) ranged from 0.66 and 0.69, respectively, suggesting a synergistic inhibitory effect. Interestingly, in the cell-based assays by Western blotting, Pomella® and Maplifa® reduced the protein expression levels of collagen degradation enzymes (MMPs), while simultaneously increasing that of type I collagen in epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells. This is the first report to show that these extracts exert synergistic collagen protective effects. Taken together, these findings provide molecular insights into the usefulness of Pomella® and Maplifa® or their phenolics as bioactive ingredients for skin care products to slow down aging and enhance skin tone.

Nutrition and youthful skin

Nutrition and dietary supplements have been used to promote a youthful appearance for millennia. Despite high public demand for these products, evidence supporting their efficacy is limited and often inconsistent. We discuss the structural and functional changes that occur in the skin during the aging process. We also review evidence supporting the use of nutritional supplements commonly used to promote a youthful appearance, including essential fatty acids, coenzyme Q, collagen peptides, curcumin, polyphenols, flavonoids, probiotics, silymarin, and vitamins A, C, D, and E. We also consider the role of advanced glycosylated end products, antiinflammatory diets, and caloric restriction in delaying premature skin aging. Although evidence supporting the use of some dietary interventions is promising, further long-term studies in humans are required to fully understand their effects on the promotion of a youthful appearance.

Plant-Based Foods for Skin Health: A Narrative Review

The potential role of plant-based foods in the promotion of skin health is an emerging area of nutrition research. Plant-based foods are rich in bioactive compounds, including vitamin C, vitamin E, beta carotene, polyphenols, and phenolic acids, which can contribute to oxidant defense, lower inflammation, and promote structural support of the skin. Epidemiological studies have associated higher intakes of select fruits and vegetables with positive skin health. Beneficial effects of certain fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, and polyphenolic-rich beverages on the skin have been reported, with each of these providing a unique phytochemical composition. Although most studies use extracts, this review will focus on data from whole foods and minimally processed products. Collectively, the evidence to date suggests a promising future for plant-based dietary interventions that promote skin barrier health and function. However, additional research is required to address issues such as the optimal quality and duration of intake as well as potential mechanisms. Studies in the above areas will help formulate specific targeted dietary recommendations.

A Systematic Review of Antiaging Effects of 23 Traditional Chinese Medicines

BACKGROUND

Aging is an inevitable stage of body development. At the same time, aging is a major cause of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative diseases. Chinese herbal medicine is a natural substance that can effectively delay aging and is expected to be developed as antiaging drugs in the future. Aim of the review. This paper reviews the antiaging effects of 23 traditional Chinese herbal medicines or their active components. Materials and methods. We reviewed the literature published in the last five years on Chinese herbal medicines or their active ingredients and their antiaging role obtained through the following databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science.

RESULTS

A total of 2485 papers were found, and 212 papers were screened after removing the duplicates and reading the titles. Twenty-three studies met the requirements of this review and were included. Among these studies, 13 articles used Caenorhabditis elegans as the animal model, and 10 articles used other animal models or cell lines.

CONCLUSION

Chinese herbal medicines or their active components play an antiaging role by regulating genes related to aging through a variety of signaling pathways. Chinese herbal medicines are expected to be developed as antiaging drugs or used in the medical cosmetology industry.

The Effects of Subcutaneously Injected Novel Biphasic Cross-Linked Hyaluronic Acid Filler: In Vivo Study

BACKGROUND

Biphasic hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers have been used extensively to improve facial skin. However, in some cases, the skin surface is irregular because of the premature loss of HA solution. We propose a new biphasic filler (G-filler) to overcome this problem by using small particles of HA hydrogel instead of HA solution, which can provide a smooth skin surface and good durability.

METHOD

We evaluated the rheologic properties of G-filler and its physiologic effects after subcutaneous injection in a mouse model by histologic analysis.

RESULTS

The G-filler showed a similar elastic modulus (G') and complex viscosity (η*) as the conventional biphasic filler, but had a higher viscous modulus (G″) than the conventional monophasic filler. The highest material elasticity (tan δ) value and the lowest percentage elasticity value indicate the rheologic properties of G-filler are closer to those of liquids. After subcutaneous injection of G-filler, collagen content (~ 2-fold) and elastin fibers (~ 6.5-fold) were significantly increased at 12 weeks compared to those of the saline group. Fibronectin (~ 2.6-fold) and the laminin-immunolabeled cell number (~ 6-fold) were also significantly increased at 12 weeks. Significant increases in the CD31-immunoreactive cell numbers of the G-filler groups were observed at 2, 6, and 12 weeks (~ 3.7-fold) compared to those of the saline groups. There were no significant differences between the G-filler and saline groups in patterns of skin thickness and inflammatory cell numbers around loading sites.

CONCLUSION

These findings demonstrate that the injection of a new biphasic filler with improved rheologic properties can effectively stimulate extracellular matrix production and angiogenesis without safety concerns.

NO LEVEL ASSIGNED

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors - www.springer.com/00266 .

Pomegranate Juice and Extract Consumption Increases the Resistance to UVB-induced Erythema and Changes the Skin Microbiome in Healthy Women: a Randomized Controlled Trial

In vitro and animal studies have demonstrated that topical application and oral consumption of pomegranate reduces UVB-induced skin damage. We therefore investigated if oral pomegranate consumption will reduce photodamage from UVB irradiation and alter the composition of the skin microbiota in a randomized controlled, parallel, three-arm, open label study. Seventy-four female participants (30–45 years) with Fitzpatrick skin type II-IV were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to 1000 mg of pomegranate extract (PomX), 8 oz of pomegranate juice (PomJ) or placebo for 12 weeks. Minimal erythema dose (MED) and melanin index were determined using a cutometer (mexameter probe). Skin microbiota was determined using 16S rRNA sequencing. The MED was significantly increased in the PomX and PomJ group compared to placebo. There was no significant difference on phylum, but on family and genus level bacterial composition of skin samples collected at baseline and after 12 week intervention showed significant differences between PomJ, PomX and placebo. Members of the Methylobacteriaceae family contain pigments absorbing UV irradiation and might contribute to UVB skin protection. However, we were not able to establish a direct correlation between increased MED and bacterial abundance. In summary daily oral pomegranate consumption may lead to enhanced protection from UV photodamage.

Protective effects of hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida) polyphenol extract against UVB-induced skin damage by modulating the p53 mitochondrial pathway in vitro and in vivo

This study investigated the effect of a hawthorn polyphenol extract (HPE) on ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced damage in HaCaT cells and mice. High-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry was used to analyze the phenolic composition of HPE. The protective effects of HPE and its main components were compared in HaCaT cells. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect DNA damage (8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine levels). Flow cytometry and western blotting were used to measure the extent of apoptosis and the levels of apoptosis-related proteins, respectively. Treatment with HPE or its polyphenol components inhibited the UVB-induced damage by removing an excess of reactive oxygen species (ROS), reducing DNA damage and p53 activation, regulating the protein expression of B-cell lymphoma 2 family members toward antiapoptotic ratios, and reducing caspase activation. Similar effects were observed in a UVB-irradiated mouse skin, as detected using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling, immunohistochemistry, and western blotting assays. These results suggest that HPE can be used as a natural dietary supplement for the prevention and treatment of UVB radiation-induced skin damage. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida) shows antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-lowering effects. As natural, healthy, and effective additives, HPEs have been widely used in food and health products. The results of this study reveal the molecular mechanisms underlying HPE effects, showing that HPE reverses the effects of UVB irradiation via removal of an excess of ROS and reduction of DNA damage and p53 expression in vitro and in vivo. Consequently, HPE upregulates the expression of antiapoptotic BCL-2 and downregulates that of proapoptotic BAX, thereby reducing the activation of caspase-3/9 and inhibiting apoptosis. These findings suggest that HPE can be used as the base ingredient for antiphotoaging food products. This study provides both theoretical and experimental background for hawthorn deep processing and utilization.

Anti-Photoaging Effects of Low Molecular-Weight Fucoidan on Ultraviolet B-Irradiated Mice

Ultraviolet (UV) B exposure induces DNA damage and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which causes skin photoaging through signaling pathways of inflammation and modulation of extracellular matrix remodeling proteins, collagens, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP). As low molecular-weight fucoidan (LMF) has potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, we examined the protective effects of LMF against UVB-induced photoaging. A UVB-irradiated mouse model was topically treated with myricetin or LMF at 2.0, 1.0 and 0.2 mg/cm² (LMF2.0, LMF1.0 and LMF0.2, respectively) once a day for 15 weeks. Wrinkle formation, inflammation, oxidative stress, MMP expression, and apoptosis in the treated regions were compared with those in a distilled water-treated photoaging model (UVB control). LMF treatments, particularly LMF2.0 and LMF1.0, significantly inhibited the wrinkle formation, skin edema, and neutrophil recruitment into the photo-damaged lesions, compared with those in the UVB control. While LMF decreased interleukin (IL)-1β release, it increased IL-10. The LMF treatment inhibited the oxidative stresses (malondialdehyde and superoxide anion) and enhanced endogenous antioxidants (glutathione). Additionally, LMF reduced the mRNA expression of MMP-1, 9, and 13. The histopathological analyses revealed the anti-photoaging effects of LMF exerted via its antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and MMP-9-inhibiting effects. These suggest that LMF can be used as a skin-protective remedy for photoaging.