Apigenin (Apig) is used as a model drug due to its many beneficial bio-activities and therapeutic potentials. Nevertheless, its poor water solubility and low storage stability have limited its ...application feasibility on the pharmaceutical field. To address this issue, this study developed nanoemulsions (NEs) using an anti-oxidative polymeric amphiphile, d-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS), hydrogenated soy lecithin (HL), black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) oil, and avocado (AV) oil through pre-homogenization and ultrasonication method. Addition of TPGS (weight ratios 100 and 50% as compared to HL) into NEs effectively reduced particle size and phase transition region area of NEs with pure HL. Incorporation of Apig into NEs made particle size increase and provided a disorder effect on intraparticle molecular packing. Nevertheless, the encapsulation efficiency of NEs for Apig approached to about 99%. The chemical stability of Apig was significantly improved and its antioxidant ability was elevated by incorporation with BSFL oil and AV oil NEs, especially for NEs with single TPGS. NEs with single TPGS also exhibited the best Apig skin deposition. For future application of topical Apig delivery, NEs-gel was formed by the addition of hyaluronic acid (HA) into NEs. Their rheological characteristics were dominated by the surfactant ratios of HL to TPGS.
Background
Streptococcus thermophilus (TCI633) is a probiotic that has been newly isolated from human breast milk, and it can produce hyaluronic acid (HA) when colonizing the gastrointestinal (GI) ...tract of rodents and humans. A recent study has the established that TCI633 can alleviate synovial tissue inflammation and has potential to mitigate the progression of osteoarthritis.
Objective
TCI633 has not been available for use in skincare and this preliminary clinical study will assess its improvement of the skin.
Methods
In this study, DNA protection, Hyaluronidase assay, cell viability, and collagen synthesis on human fibroblasts of TCI633 were assessed. Subjects were enrolled in this clinical study and randomly assigned to the TCI633 or placebo group. Each subject was informed to intake two tablets daily for 8 weeks. Each subject was required to undergo skin condition inspection at weeks 0, 4, and 8 and hematology tests to monitor HA, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase levels, and kidney and liver function at weeks 0 and 8.
Results
The effects of TCI633 supplementation, including the promotion of skin cell proliferation, the increase of their collagen content, their protection against DNA damage, and the inhibition of hyaluronidase activities, are investigated. Subjects were recruited for an 8‐week long clinical trial to confirm the efficacy of TCI633 in improving the serum biochemical HA, SOD and catalase levels, and anti‐skin age markers.
Conclusions
This work provides an alternative approach to improving health, indicating the potential of TCI633 supplementation to delay the aging of skin and improve its condition.
Apigenin, a natural plant flavone, may have chemopreventive and therapeutic potentials for anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-cancer. Nevertheless, the anti-tumor effect of apigenin on human ...head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is not fully understood.
The antioxidant capacity and protective effects of apigenin against oxidative stress in murine normal embryonic liver BNLCL2 cells are examined. Cell viability, morphologic change, clonogenic survival, cell cycle distribution, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, glutathione formation, and death receptors- and Bcl-2-mediated caspase pathways of HNSCC SCC25 cells and A431 cells with apigenin are investigated.
Apigenin inhibits the growth of SCC25 and A431 cells and induces cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase. Apigenin has an antioxidant capacity as well as the ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation. It protects BNLCL2 cells against oxidative damage, and is potentially able to prevent cancer. Apigenin increases intracellular ROS levels and reduces levels of glutathione; it also induces cell apoptosis via tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNF-R)-, TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptor (TRAIL-R)-, and Bcl-2-mediated caspase-dependent cell death pathways in SCC25 cells. The combination of apigenin with 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) or cisplatin induces the dramatic death of SCC25 cells.
Apigenin induces SCC25 cell apoptosis via the up-regulation of both TNF-R and TRAIL-R signaling pathways, and has a synergistic effect on the inhibition of cell proliferation in combination with 5-Fu or cisplatin.
These analytical findings suggest that apigenin may be a good therapeutic agent against HNSCC cells.
Apigenin induced SCC25 cell apoptosis via up-regulation of both TNF-R and TRAIL-R signaling pathways, down-regulated Bcl-2, activated caspase-3, and showed synergistic effect on inhibiting cell proliferation as combination with 5-Fu or cisplatin. Display omitted
► Apigenin protected BNLCL2 cells against oxidative damage. ► Apigenin induced HNSCC cell apoptosis via TNF-R and TRAIL-R signaling pathways. ► Apigenin induced cell apoptosis by generating oxidative stress. ► The combinatory use of apigenin with 5-Fu or cisplatin accelerated apoptotic cell death.
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•Vegan collagen is an innovative plant-based collagen biomimetic.•Vegan collagen significantly increased collagen density and elasticity by 4.7% and 5.1% compared to the placebo ...group.•Vegan collagen significantly decreased wrinkles, texture, and pores by 27.5%, 20.1%, and 12.3% compared to the placebo group.•Vegan collagen significantly increased hydration and lightness by 4.3% and 2.3% compared to the placebo group.
Vegan collagen is an innovative plant-based collagen biomimetic that contains a variety of plant extracts, including asiaticoside, ginsenoside, and through fermented amino acids, which stimulates the natural process for type I collagen synthesis.
In this study, using vegan collagen (Corpowell BV, Schilde, Belgium) to explore the skin beautifying effects in the human body. 90 subjects were recruited and divided into a placebo group (n = 30), a vegan collagen group (n = 30), and a fish collagen group (n = 30). Subjects were informed to consume 1 sachet of the sample daily for 8 weeks. Skin conditions were measured at week 0, week 4 and week 8.
The results showed that vegan collagen significantly increased collagen density and elasticity by 4.7% and 5.1% and decreased wrinkles, texture, and pores by 27.5%, 20.1%, and 12.3% compared to the placebo group. In addition, the hydration and lightness were increased by 4.3% and 2.3% compared to the placebo group.
Vegan collagen has the potential to improve skin collagen density, elasticity, texture, wrinkles, pores, hydration, and lightness.
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•Soft sea buckthorn oil capsules improved skin condition.•Soft sea buckthorn oil capsules enhanced catalase activity and decrease TNF-α secretion.•Soft sea buckthorn oil capsules ...increased HDL-C level.•Soft sea buckthorn oil capsules reduce dryness of eyes and vaginal problems.
Sea buckthorn have been used for centuries as food and traditional medicine in Asia and Europe. This study evaluated the effects of a nutraceutical consisting of sea buckthorn oil as a functional supplement (Omegia™ sea buckthorn oil). Subjects were randomly divided into two groups and were given capsules containing or without sea buckthorn oil. Skin elasticity, color, collagen, pore, and redness were measured using skin assessment instruments. Blood samples were taken to assess serum antioxidant levels by using ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) kit. Additionally, a questionnaire survey was conducted to gather information on subjects' experiences in eye discomfort and vaginal dryness issues. After 12 weeks, skin parameters showed improvement, and participants reported relief from dry eyes and vulvar issues. This study highlights the potential of Omegia™ supplements demonstrating the ability to delay skin aging, increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and antioxidant enzyme activity when used continuously for a period of 12 weeks.
Crassocephalum rabens (Asteraceae) is a common herb used in Taiwanese folk medicine to treat inflammation-related syndromes. Pharmacological studies have revealed that galactolipids exhibit ...anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hyaluronidase activities and improve skin wrinkles, moisture, and elasticity in healthy subjects. However, the anti-aging effects of C. rabens and its primary active compound, 1,2-di-O-linolenoyl-3-O-β-galactopyranosyl-sn-glycerol (dLGG), remain elusive. Here, we investigated whether C. rabens can improve skin conditions in healthy individuals using a double-blind approach. Forty enrolled volunteers were randomly and equally assigned to the control or treatment group and were required to take either a placebo or a C. rabens extract capsule daily for one month. Skin parameters were measured before and after the study. The results showed significant differences in skin elasticity, wrinkles, collagen content, brightness, and hydration between the baseline and week 4 in the treatment group. Particularly, compared with those in the placebo group, skin wrinkles (p < 0.05), brightness (p < 0.001), collagen content (p < 0.01), and UV spots (p < 0.05) were notably improved after treatment with the C. rabens extract. Our study successfully demonstrated the application of C. rabens in preventing skin aging. Further investigations will be conducted to study the underlying anti-aging mechanism of dLGG.
Please cite this paper as: Antioxidative characteristics and inhibition of α‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone‐stimulated melanogenesis of vanillin and vanillic acid from Origanum vulgare. Experimental ...Dermatology 2010; 19: 742–750.
: The antioxidant activities of vanillin and vanillic acid isolated from Origanum vulgare are investigated. These compounds may serve as agents for antimelanogenesis. Vanillic acid is a stronger antioxidant than vanillin, in terms of free radical scavenging activity, reducing power and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. The inhibition of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in H2O2‐treated BNLCL2 cells by vanillic acid exceeds that of ascorbic acid (AA) or trolox. In B16F0 cells stimulated with α‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone (α‐MSH), vanillic acid reduced cellular tyrosinase activity, DOPA oxidase and melanin contents, as well as down‐regulated expressions of melanocortin‐1 receptor (MC1R), microphthalmia‐associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase, tyrosinase‐related proteins 2 (TRP‐2) and TRP‐1. Vanillin did not express inhibition of tyrosinase activity. These results supported that vanillic acid is a significantly stronger antioxidant than vanillin and exhibited stronger antimelanogenesis performance because of the structural presence of the carboxyl group.
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.
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.
NOD1 (nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 1) is overexpressed in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells, as is IL-8 in cancer cells. However, the mechanism of the IL-8-mediated ...overexpression of NOD in HNSCC not been identified. This study determines whether IL-8 promotes tumor progression via the NOD signaling pathway in HNSCC. Higher IL-8, NOD1 and receptor-interacting protein kinase (RIP2) expressions were observed in HNSCC tissue than in non-cancerous matched tissue (NCMT), whereas NOD2 was weakly expressed. Furthermore, IL-8 stimulated the proliferation of HNSCC cells (SCC4, SCC9 and SCC25) but not dysplastic oral mucosa DOK cells. Exposure to IL-8 increased the clonogenicity of HNSCC cells. IL-8 siRNA inhibited cell proliferation and cell colony formation, suggesting that IL-8 is involved in HNSCC cancer progression. The expressions of CXCR1 and CXCR2 were higher in HNSCC tissue than in NCMT. HNSCC cells that were exposed to IL-8 exhibited higher expression of CXCR1/2 than did controls. The blocking of IL-8 by siRNA reduced CXCR1/2 expression in HNSCC cells, suggesting that the cancer progression of HNSCC cells that is induced by IL-8 depends on CXCR1/2. Additionally, IL-8 is associated with increased NOD1 and RIP2 expression and reduced NOD2 expression in three types of HNSCC cells. The blocking of IL-8 by siRNA reduces IL-8, NOD1 and RIP2 expressions in HNSCC cells, but not the level of NOD2. These results suggest that IL-8 has an important role in HNSCC progression via a CXCR1/2-meidated NOD1/RIP2 signaling pathway.