• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.66
• /
• pp.106-113
• /
• 2023

Plant extracts have been studied due to their potential as photoprotective agents against UV and blue light exposure. Previous studies have revealed that several plant extracts have photoprotection capacities and synergistic effects with synthetic products. However, such results for pu'er tea and Curcuma longa L. have not been reported yet for a cosmetic formulation. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate photoprotection capacities of pu'er tea and C. longa L. extracts for a sunscreen compound. The pu'er tea extract improved sun protection factor value of 2-ethyl-hexyl methoxycinnamate (a synthetic sunscreen compound) by 46% and showed a high antioxidant capability that could help skin recover from photo-induced damage. C. longa L. extract also showed a potential to protect skin from blue light-induced damage because it not only had a maximum absorption peak at the blue light range, but also protected human fibroblasts from blue light-induced damage. The addition of both extracts shifted the critical wavelength of 2-ethyl-hexyl methoxycinnamate from 350 nm to 386 nm, giving it a broad-spectrum feature. Thus, pu'er tea and C. longa L. extracts may enhance the photoprotection ability of synthetic sunscreen products.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.87-91
• /
• 2008

We induced the activation of melanocytes in the epidermis of C57BL/6 mice by ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation and observed the effect of Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang (BZYQT) on the formation, and decrease of UVB-induced epidermal melanocytes. C57BL/6 mice were irradiated by UVB $80\;mJ/cm^2$ (0.5 mW/sec) daily for 7 days, and BZYQT was intraperitoneally or topically applied pre- or post-irradiation. For the estimation of change of epidermal melanocytes, light microscopic observation with dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) stain was performed. Split epidermal sheets prepared from the ear of untreated mice exhibited 11-16 melanocytes/$mm^2$, and one week after UV irradiation, the applied areas show an increased number of strongly DOPA-positive melanocytes with stout dendrites. But intraperitoneal or topical treatment with BZYQT before each irradiation interrupted UVB-induced pigmentation and resulted in a marked reduction in the number of epidermal melanocytes as compared to radiation control skin. The number and size of DOPA-positive epidermal melanocytes were also significantly decreased in intraperitoneally injected or topically applicated group after irradiation with BZYQT at 3rd and 6th weeks after irradiation. The present study suggests the BZYQT as inhibitor of UVB-induced pigmentation and depigmenting agent.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.299-306
• /
• 2016

In this study, new hydroxyapatite powder surface composites were investigated for protective effects against ultraviolet rays. Hydroxyapatite (HAp) is biocompatible and does not cause nebula phenomenon on skin. We investigated the surface modification of hydroxyapatite to improve UV block and skin usage. Dimethicone, lauroyl lysine, triethoxycaprylylsilane and silica were used as coating agents for the surface modification of HAp. To prepare the composite complex of the modified surface, the dimethicone, lauroyl lysine and triethoxycaprylylsilane were prepared by a dry process, and silica by a hydrothermal synthesis method. The HAp-silica was chosen as the best composite powder when measuring its sun protection levels. We investigated the characteristics of the surface of HAp-silica by SEM, particle size analyzer and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS). Additionally, the stability in the formulation, UV block effect, and safety in BB creams were investigated. In conclusion, HAp-silica prepared by the modification of HAp complex surface improved the skin usage and UV block effect by enhancing the white cloudy phenomenon. These results indicate that HAp-silica may be used for UV block cosmetics.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
• /
• v.50 no.1
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 2024

In this study, a quercetin benton gel (QUERPLEX) that stabilized quercetin was prepared using organo hectorite, and its efficacy was confirmed. In addition, a comparative study was conducted on the stability and effectiveness of applying this to sunscreen cosmetics. It was confirmed that QUERPLEX remained stable without showing crystal precipitation and growth for 4 weeks. As a result of measuring antioxidant activity using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), it showed antioxidant activity depending on the concentration, and showed a radical elimination ability of 70% or more at a concentration of 2,500 ppm or more, confirming a significant effect. Anti-inflammatory activity experiments using RAW 264.7 cells confirmed that NO production decreased in a concentration-dependent manner by reducing NO production by 8% at 25 ㎍/mL, 23% at 50 ㎍/mL, and 84% at 100 ㎍/mL. As a result of confirming the stability of the formulation according to the method of quercetin in the sunscreen formulation, the stability of the formulation was improved when quercetin was added directly to the formulation. It also improved the UV protection index on in vitro and in vivo, which is expected to have the potential as a component that can have a new boosting effect on UV protection. These results suggest that organo hectorite is very effective as a quercetin carrier and that it can be applied in cosmetic formulations by not only expressing the efficacy of quercetin but also bringing about additional effects.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.34 no.10
• /
• pp.3039-3045
• /
• 2013

Dual-frequency ultrasound assisted photocatalysis (DUAP) method was proposed to degrade a stable organic model effluent, cresol red (CR), using the prepared $Fe^{3+}$-doped $TiO_2$ with active carbon fiber loading ($Fe^{3+}-TiO_2/ACF$) as photocatalyst. The influence of key factors, including Fe doping amount and power density of dual-frequency ultrasounds (20/40 kHz), on the degradation efficiency was investigated. The degradation efficiency rises to 98.7% in 60 min accompanied by the color removal of CR liquid samples from yellow to colorless transparent at optimal conditions. A synergy index of 1.40 was yielded by comparison with single ultrasound assisted photocatalysis (SUAP) and the photocatalysis without ultrasound assisted (UV/$TiO_2$), indicating that a clear synergistic effect exists for the DUAP process. Obvious enhancement of degradation efficiency for the DUAP process should be attributed to production of large amount of free radicals by strong cavitational effects of dual ultrasounds.

• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.83-90
• /
• 2018

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation causes inflammation and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) over-expression and extra cellular matrix depletion, leading to skin photo-aging such as wrinkle formation, dryness, and sagging. In this study, we demonstrated that pretreatment with the hexane extract of microalgae protects UVB mediated cell damages. The results of clinical study showed that Microalgal Oil treated group reduced wrinkle and improve elasticity. All these results suggest Microalgal Oil may be useful as new photo-aging cosmetics for protection against UV induced activity.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
• /
• v.31 no.1 s.49
• /
• pp.65-71
• /
• 2005

A silsesquioxane precursor that contains p-methoxycinnamoyl group was synthesized to produce UV absorbing spherical polysilsesquioxane (PSQ) spheres with diameters of 10nm to a few ${\mu}m$ under different conditions. A dispersion of $10wt\%$ in Vaseline of these PSQ spheres with diameters of approximately $0.6{\mu}m$ showed SPF values of 5.7 and the identical dispersion did not turn white when applied to human hands. These UV absorbing PSQ spheres showed higher boosting effect of sun protection factor (SPF) than the well known UV blocking octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC). The results indicated that the PSQ spheres with p-methoxycinnamoyl group should be useful as the ingredients in UV screening functional cosmetics without causing allergies and whitening.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.15-24
• /
• 2009

The effect of low doses of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation on morphology changes of cell has been studied based on the observation of the cell length. It was shown that UV-irradiated cell has different behavior in comparison with non-irradiated cell. From the histogram of cell-length distribution, it was confirmed that cell cycle of non irradiated cell was 28 hours, and that cell cycle of irradiated cell with dose of $20\;Jm^{-2}$ was delayed (39 hours), while irradiated cell with $40\;Jm^{-2}$ and $60\;Jm^{-2}$ did not divide and kept growing continuously. It was supposed that in case of $20\;Jm^{-2}$ of irradiation dose, the cell cycle was delayed because the checkpoint worked in order to repair DNA damage induced by generation of pyrimidine dimer, reactive oxygen species and so on. It was also supposed that in case of $40\;Jm^{-2}$ and $60\;Jm^{-2}$ of irradiation dose, overgrowth was induced because the checkpoint was not worked well. The morphology of overgrown cell was similar to that of normally senescent cell. Therefore, it was considered that cell senescence was accelerated by UV irradiation with irradiation doses of $40\;Jm^{-2}$ and $60\;Jm^{-2}$.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.85-91
• /
• 2008

These days there is a constant possibility of exposure to UV radiation which can cause abnormal production of melanin and result in skin disease such as hyperpigmentation and melanoma. Many materials were investigated for skin whitening and protection against UV radiation. In this study, we assessed the melanogenesis inhibitory activities of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG, Ginseng Radix Rubra) and Ginkgo (EGb 761 Ginkgo Biloba) in an attempt to develop a new skin whitening agent derived from natural products. B16F10 melanoma cells were treated for 48 hr with KRG and EGb 761. The inhibitory effect on melanogenesis was measured and related cytokines and proteins expression were also investigated by RT-PCR and Western blotting. In addition, we also assessed the effects of these substances on the skin of C57BL/6 mice. Cell growth, melanin content and tyrosinase activity were inhibited effectively in B16F10 melanoma cells treated with KRG and EGb 761. Moreover, tyrosinase mRNA expression was inhibited clearly and melanogenesis related proteins (MRPs) containing tyrosinase, TRP1 and TRP2 were also reduced by KRG and EGb761, while cytokines such as IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 were induced. In the case of UV irradiated mice, we observed induction of cytokine mRNA levels and reduction of MRPs mRNA expression. In addition, a decrease in pigmentation from treatment with KRG and EGb 761 on the skin of mice was observed. These results indicate that KRG and EGb 761 inhibit melanogenesis in B16F10 cells and have display protective activities against UVB. Therefore, we suggest that KRG and EGb 761 are good candidates to be used as whitening agents and UVB protectors for the skin.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
• /
• v.37 no.1
• /
• pp.50-55
• /
• 2012

To evaluate the ability of Dongchongxiacao ($Paecilomyces$ $japonica$) extract (PJE) to protect the skin from photodamage, the gross and microscopic changes in the skin of hairless mice and PJE-treated mice exposed chronically to ultraviolet (UV) were examined. The skin of the UV-irradiated mice showed characteristic signs of photoaging, such as deep wrinkles across the back. PJE-treated mice showed a significantly decreased wrinkling score. By the 22nd week, 88.9% (i.p. with saline) or 44.4% (topical administration with cream base) of the UV-irradiated mice developed at least one tumor. PJE delayed tumor onset significantly. PJE (i.p.) was also effective in reducing the occurrence of UV radiation-induced skin tumors and reduced the number of tumors per mouse. After 22 weeks of treatment, 80.0% (i.p.) and 75.0% (topical) of the mice treated with PJE were tumor-free. Tumor multiplicity was reduced by 96.2% (i.p.) in the PJE treated groups. It is noted that skin that is chronically exposed to UV is subject to photoaging and photocarcinogenesis and regular use of PJE would prevent these photodamaging effects of UV.