Molecular modeling investigation of the potential mechanism for phytochemical-induced skin collagen biosynthesis by inhibition of the protein phosphatase 1 holoenzyme

Regulatory Mechanisms of Natural Active Ingredients and Compounds on Keratinocytes and Fibroblasts in Mitigating Skin Photoaging

Background

The mechanism underlying skin photoaging remains elusive because of the intricate cellular and molecular changes that contribute to this phenomenon, which have yet to be elucidated. In photoaging, the roles of keratinocytes and fibroblasts are vital for maintaining skin structure and elasticity. But these cells can get photo-induced damage during photoaging, causing skin morphological changes. Recently, the function of natural active ingredients in treating and preventing photoaging has drawn more attention, with researches often focusing on keratinocytes and fibroblasts.

Methods

We searched for studies published from 2007 to January 2024 in the Web of Science, PubMed, and ScienceDirect databases through the following keywords: natural plant, natural plant products or phytochemicals, traditional Chinese Medicine or Chinese herbal, plant extracts, solar skin aging, skin photoaging, and skin wrinkling. This review conducted the accordance of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines.

Results

In total, 87 researches were included in this review (Figure 1). In keratinocytes, natural compounds may primarily regulate signal pathways such as the NF-κB, MAPK, PI3K/AKT, and Nrf2/ARE pathways, reducing inflammation and cellular damage, thus slowing skin photoaging. Additionally, in fibroblasts, natural active ingredients primarily promote the TGF-β pathway, inhibit MMPs activity, and enhance collagen synthesis while potentially modulating the mTOR pathway, thereby protecting the dermal collagen network and reducing wrinkle formation. Several trials showed that natural compounds that regulate keratinocytes and fibroblasts responses have significant and safe therapeutic effects.

Conclusion

The demand for natural product-based ingredients in sunscreen formulations is rising. Natural compounds show promising anti-photoaging effects by targeting cellular pathways in keratinocytes and fibroblasts, providing potential therapeutic strategies. However, comprehensive clinical studies are needed to verify their efficacy and safety in mitigating photoaging, which should use advanced pharmacological methods to uncover the complex anti-photoaging mechanisms of natural compounds.

The role of phosphoprotein phosphatases catalytic subunit genes in pancreatic cancer

Compelling evidence suggests that phosphoprotein phosphatases (PPPs) are involved in a large spectrum of physiological and pathological processes, but little is known about their roles in pancreatic cancer. We investigated the expression level, prognostic value, and potential function of PPPs with data from Oncomine, GEPIA, THPA, and TCGA databases and an independent cohort of patients with pancreatic cancer. Among all the PPP catalytic subunits (PPPcs), the transcription levels of PPP1CA, PPP1CB, PPP3CA, PPP3CB, and PPP4C were higher in pancreatic cancer than in normal pancreas (P<0.01, fold change > 2). Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that high transcription levels of PPP1CA, PPP1CB, PPP2CA, PPP2CB, PPP3CA, and PPP4C correlated with poorer survival. In contrast, patients with high levels of PPP3CB, PPP3CC, PPP5C, PPP6C, and PPEF2 had much better prognoses. Data from THPA and patients with pancreatic cancer enrolled in our hospital also confirmed the prognostic value of PPP1CA, PPP1CB, PPP2CA, PPP2CB, PPP3CA, PPP3CB, and PPP6C at the protein level. In addition, the Pearson Chi-square test showed that PPP3CB level was significantly correlated with T and N stages. GO and KEGG analyses showed that the genes and pathways related to the pathogenesis and progression of pancreatic cancer were greatly affected by alterations in PPPcs. Results of the present study suggest that PPP1CA, PPP1CB, PPP2CA, PPP2CB, and PPP3CA have deleterious effects but PPP3CB, PPP5C, and PPP6C have beneficial effects on pancreatic cancer.

Tetracyclic and Pentacyclic Triterpenes with High Therapeutic Efficiency in Wound Healing Approaches

Wounds are among the most common skin conditions, displaying a large etiological diversity and being characterized by different degrees of severity. Wound healing is a complex process that involves multiple steps such as inflammation, proliferation and maturation and ends with scar formation. Since ancient times, a widely used option for treating skin wounds are plant- based treatments which currently have become the subject of modern pharmaceutical formulations. Triterpenes with tetracyclic and pentacyclic structure are extensively studied for their implication in wound healing as well as to determine their molecular mechanisms of action. The current review aims to summarize the main results of in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies conducted on lupane, ursane, oleanane, dammarane, lanostane and cycloartane type triterpenes as potential wound healing treatments.