• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.211-217
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• 2012

UV-irradiation is a major factor of photo-aged skin, by which pigmentation, wrinkles and laxity are increased. In addition, the epidermal barrier is disrupted, ultimately causing dryness in photo-aged skin. As an effort to search dietary sources for improving the dryness of UV irradiated skin, the dietary effect of red ginseng based functional foods on the epidermal level of ceramides, a major lipid maintaining epidermal barrier, was determined in this study. Albino hairless mice were fed either a control diet [group UV (UV-irradiated control)] or diets with 0.5% (group M0.5) or 1% (group M1.0) of red ginseng extracts mixed with Torilis fructus and Corni fructus (66.7% red ginseng) in parallel with UV irradiation for 5 wks. A normal control group (group C) was fed a control diet without UV irradiation for 5 wks. The epidermal level of ceramides in group UV was significantly lower than that in group C, in which ceramidase, an enzyme involved in ceramide degradation, was highly expressed. In group M0.5, the epidermal level of ceramide was significantly increased to the level even higher than in group C. In addition, protein expression of serine palmitoyl transferase (SPT), a key enzyme involved in de novo ceramide synthesis, was increased in group M0.5. However the epidermal levels of ceramides as well as of ceramidase protein expression in group M1.0 did not differ from those in group UV. In conclusion, we demonstrate that dietary supplementation of red-ginseng extracts mixed with Torilis fructus and Corni fructus at a level of 0.5% level in diet increased the epidermal level of ceramides coupled with the elevated expression of SPT protein.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.90-97
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• 2015

Water chestnut (Trapa japonica Flerov.) is an annual aquatic plant. In the present study, we showed that the treatment of water chestnut extracted with boiling water resulted in a significant increase 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activity and decrease the intracellular $H_2O_2$-induced accumulation of reactive oxygen species. In addition, water chestnut extract (WCE) inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide production and suppressed mRNA and protein expression of the inducible nitric oxide synthase gene. The cytokine array results showed that WCE inhibited inflammatory cytokine secretion. Also, WCE reduced tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$- and interleukin-6-induced nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ activity. Furthermore, during sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)-induced irritation of human skin, WCE reduced SLS-induced skin erythema and improved barrier regeneration. These results indicate that WCE may be a promising topical anti-inflammatory agent.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.353-359
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of $7-MEGA^{TM}$ 500 on the improvement of skin aging in an UVB-induced photo-aging model of hairless mice. The dorsal skin of hairless mice was exposed to UVB three times a week for 12 weeks to induce skin wrinkle. After inducing the wrinkle, $7-MEGA^{TM}$ 500 was orally administered once a day for 4 weeks. Skin thickness, skin barrier function, and wrinkle indicators were improved by treatment with $7-MEGA^{TM}$ 500. Both gene and protein expression levels of MMP-3 and c-Jun in skin were significantly decreased by $7-MEGA^{TM}$ 500. Therefore, the intake of $7-MEGA^{TM}$ 500 is thought to have a positive effect on the improvement of skin aging, although further studies are needed.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.519-523
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• 2017

We investigated the applications of functional materials through the examination of a variety of physiological activities of Ipomoea aquatica extract. I. aquatica extract showed low cytotoxicity against murine melanoma B16F10 cells. At concentrations that exerted little or no cytotoxicity to the cells, I. aquatica extract showed high DPPH radical scavenging activity ($ID_{50}$, $7.84{\mu}g/mL$), inhibited tyrosinase activity ($ID_{50}$, $106.56{\mu}g/mL$), and decreased melanin content ($ID_{50}$, $41.75{\mu}g/mL$). The treatment of B16F10 cells with I. aquatica extract suppressed the protein expression of tyrosinase in a dose-dependent manner. These findings suggested that I. aquatica extract inhibited melanin synthesis in murine melanoma B16F10 cells through the suppression of intracellular tyrosinase expression, as well as the simultaneous direct inhibition of tyrosinase activity. Additionally, I. aquatica extract promoted the expression of involucrin, which is related to skin barrier protection. These results indicate that I. aquatica extract may be an appropriate material for the improvement of skin barrier function.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.344-348
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• 2018

We investigated the application of functional materials by examining a variety of physiological activities of Abelmoschus esculentus extract. A. esculentus extract had a low cytotoxicity against murine melanoma B16F10 cells. At concentrations showing little or no cytotoxicity, A. esculentus extract showed high a DPPH radical scavenging activity ($ID_{50}$, $5.24{\mu}g/mL$), inhibited tyrosinase activity ($ID_{50}$, $102.12{\mu}g/mL$), and decreased melanin content ($ID_{50}$, $17.85{\mu}g/mL$). The treatment of B16F10 cells with A. esculentus extract suppressed the protein expression of tyrosinase in a dose-dependent manner. These findings suggest that A. esculentus extract inhibits melanin synthesis in murine melanoma B16F10 cells by suppressing intracellular tyrosinase expression, as well as directly inhibits tyrosinase activity simultaneously. Additionally, A. esculentus extract promotes the expression of involucrin, which is related to skin barrier protection. These results indicate that A. esculentus extract is an appropriate material for improving skin barrier function.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.65-73
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• 2021

It is very important to control the inflammation of the skin because it can develop into diseases such as atopy as well as scarring and aging. In this work, we recently identified the in vitro synthesis of specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) known to control inflammation in the human body and the applicability of cosmetics. Using recombinant protein of lipoxygenase from Glycine max, we succeeded to prepare mixtures of mono- or di-hydroxy DHA named as S-SPMs and used them for in vitro efficacy test. To investigate anti-inflammatory effect of S-SPMs, mRNA level of TNF-α and IL-6 were analyzed. Under UVB exposed condition, expression of both were decreased by S-SPMs treatment. And we observed reduced production of nitric oxide (NO) by S-SPMs application under the condition with diesel particulate matter (DPM). At the same experimental condition, malondialdehyde (MDA) production was decreased by S-SPMs, indicating the inhibitory effect of S-SPMs in lipid peroxidation. In addition, S-SPMs treatment resulted in reduction of matrix metalloproteinases-1 (MMP-1) expression and elevation of procollagen type I synthesis. Together with this, mRNA level of filaggrin and loricrin were increased by S-SPMs, indicating enhancement of skin barrier function. These results demonstrate that S-SPMs is a good candidate to develop as a cosmetic ingredient for anti-inflammation, anti-wrinkle, and improvement of skin barrier function.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.1383-1392
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• 2021

It has been reported that emodin, a major pharmacologically active ingredient of herbal medicines such as Polygonum cuspidatum, Polygonum multiflorum, Rheum palmatum, and Aloe vera, is effective in antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and liver protection. In this study, to investigate the potential of emodin to be used as a skin disease and functional material, the activity related to the improvement of inflammation and skin barrier function was confirmed. To observe the anti-inflammatory effect on HaCaT cells, which are human keratinocytes, cytokine inhibition was confirmed by ELISA kit and protein expression by western blot. In HaCaT cells activated with TNF-α (10 ng/mL)/IFN-γ (10 ng/mL), emodin was treated with each concentration (5, 10, 20, 40) µM. As a result, It was confirmed that the production amount of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 decreased as the concentration of emodin increased. In the experimental results on the expression levels of inflammation-related proteins iNOS and COX-2, it was confirmed that 48% of iNOS and 29% of COX-2 were inhibited compared to control at a concentration of 20 µM of emodin. As an indicator of skin barrier function improvement, the mRNA expression level of filaggrin, involucrin, and loricirn and the production amount of filaggrin, involucrin, and loricirn were confirmed. and excellent results were obtained with an emodin concentration-dependent increase. In particular, filaggrin, which was produced twice as much as the control at a concentration of 20 µM, is a protein involved in the formation of NMF, a natural moisturizing factor, and is known to play an important role in moisturizing the stratum corneum. In conclusion, it was confirmed that emodin can be used as a material for improving inflammation and improving skin barrier function, which is part of the potential for use as a skin disease and functional material. It is believed that if additional research is performed in the future, the scope of its application can be further expanded.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.393-401
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• 2016

Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation from the sun is the primary environmental factor that causes skin damages including skin cancer and premature skin aging. Because, even the most powerful sunscreen can't always afford enough protection, it is necessary to enhance the defensive power of skin against UV. Recently, constitutive photomorphogenic protein-1 (COP1) has shown to contribute to the regulation of UVB response of keratinocytes. In this study, we represent that COP1 and its associated protein, de-etiolated 1 (DET1), might participate in photoaging process in human skin as Arabidopsis COP1 does sun-protective function in plants. After UVB irradiation, the decrease of COP1 and DET1 mRNA expression was followed by the increase of c-Jun total protein. Moreover, transfection with DNA vectors expressing COP1 and DET1 down-regulated the c-Jun total protein. We found that Zanthoxylum piperitum extract (ZE) up-regulated the expression of COP1 and DET1 on human keratinocytes, and inhibited the expression of MMP1 which is one of the genes regulated by c-Jun signal. In addition, ZE has been reported to stimulate PPAR-${\alpha}$ and strengthen the skin barrier. We found that ZE decreased the UVB-induced IL-6 and IL-8 in NHEK cells. In human study, ZE protected skin against UV-B induced erythema and erythema-induced pigmentation. These results indicate that ZE could be useful for the protection against the adverse effects of UV irradiation through various mechanisms.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.97-107
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• 2015

Objectives Hataedock is the treatment that dispels toxic heat and meconium gathered at the fetus for the new born baby by orally administered herbal extracts. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether Hataedock alleviate inflammatory skin damages in AD-induced NC/Nga mice through regulating of skin barrier maintain and Th2 differentiation. Methods We established an AD model in the 3-week-old NC/Nga mice through the repeated application of DNFB (dinitrochlorobenzene) on days 28, 35, 42 after Hataedock treatment which was orally administered. We identified the changes of skin barrier and Th2 differentiation through the histological and immunohistochemical changes of protein kinase C (PKC), interleukin (IL)-4, degranulated mast cell, Substance P and MMP-9. Results Our results suggested that Hataedock treatment significantly down-regulated levels of PKC by 82% (p < 0.001), as well as IL-4 by 56% (p < 0.001). Hataedock also suppressed mast cell infiltration, ear edema formation. and Substance P in the tissue of NC/Nga mice were decreased by 57% (p < 0.001), and MMP-9 by 55% (p < 0.001). Conclusions These results suggest that Hataedock alleviates AD through the down-regulation of PKC and Th2 cytokines, which are involved in the initial steps of AD development. Hataedock have potential application for the treatment of AD.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.29 no.2 s.43
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• pp.205-232
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• 2003

Ursolic acid (UA) and Oleanolic acid (ONA), known as urson, micromerol and malol, are pentacyclic triterpenoid compounds which naturally occur in a large number of vegetarian foods, medicinal herbs, and plants. They may occur in their free acid form or as aglycones for triterpenoid saponins, which are comprised of a triterpenoid aglycone, linked to one or more sugar moieties. Therefore UA and ONA are similar in pharmacological activity. Lately scientific research, which led to the identification of UA and ONA, revealed that several pharmacological effects, such as antitumor, hepato-protective, anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, antimicrobial, and anti-hyperlipidemic could be attributed to UA and ONA. Here, we introduced the effect of UA and ONA on acutely barrier disrupted and normal hairless mouse skin. To evaluate the effects of UA and ONA on epidermal permeability barrier recovery, both flanks of 8-12 week-old hairless mice were topically treated with either 0.01-0.1 mg/ml UA or 0.1-1 mg/ml ONA after tape stripping, and TEWL (Transepidermal water loss) was measured . The recovery rate increased in those UA or ONA treated groups (0.1 mg/ml UA and 0.5 mg/ml ONA) at 6 h more than $20\%$ compared to vehicle treated group (p<0.05). Here, we introduced the effects of UA and ONA on acute barrier disruption and normal epidermal permeability barrier function. For verifying the effects of UA and ONA on normal epidermal barrier, hydration and TEWL were measured for 1 and 3 weeks after UA and ONA applications (2mg/ml per day). We also investigated the features of epidermis and dermis using electron microscopy (EM) and light microscopy (LM). Both samples increased hydration compared to vehicle group from f week without TEWL alteration (p<0.005). EM examination using RuO4 and OsO4 fixation revealed that secretion and numbers of lamellar bodies and complete formation of lipid bilayers were most prominent $(ONA{\geq}UA>Vehicle)$. LM finding showed that thickness of stratum corneum (SC) was slightly increased and especially epidermal thickening and flattening was observed (UA>ONA>Veh). We also observed that UA and ONA stimulate epidermal keratinocyte differentiation via $PPAR\;\alpha$. Protein expression of involucrin, loricrin, and filaggrin increased at least 2 and 3 fold in HaCaT cells treated with either $ONA\;(10{\mu}M)$ or UA $(10{\mu}M)$ for 24h respectively. This result suggested that the UA and ONA can improve epidermal permeability barrier function and induce the epidermal keratinocyte differentiation via $PPAR\;{\alpha}$. Using Masson-trichrome and elastic fiber staining, we observed collagen thickening and elastic fiber elongation by UA and ONA treatments. In vitro results of collagen and elastin synthesis and elastase inhibitory activity measurements were also confirmed in vivo findings. These data suggested that the effects of UA and ONA related to not only epidermal permeability barrier functions but also dermal collagen and elastic fiber synthesis. Taken together, UA and ONA can be relevant candidates to improve epidermal and dermal functions and pertinent agents for cosmeseutical applications.