The dynamic relationship between skin microbiomes and personal care products: A comprehensive review

Evaluation of Saponin-Rich Callus from Saponaria officinalis L. as a Novel Scrub Material with Significant Exfoliating and Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Saponaria officinalis L., a plant rich in saponins, has long been used as a natural surfactant. It has traditionally been used for its cleansing and anti-inflammatory properties in the treatment of various skin conditions, including eczema, psoriasis, and acne. In this study, we investigated the potential of S. officinalis callus (SC), mass-produced via plant tissue culture, as a novel exfoliating cosmetic ingredient. The callus was induced using Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 1 mg/L 2,4-D, and the resulting extract (SCE) was analyzed via high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), confirming the presence of saponarin-a bioactive compound with known anti-inflammatory properties. In vitro assays demonstrated that SCE significantly suppressed nitric oxide production and reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators, including iNOS, COX-2, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. The foaming ability and stability of SC and SCE were also comparable to commercial surfactants. Clinical studies further supported the material's cosmetic potential: a skin patch test in 30 volunteers revealed no signs of irritation (mean score: 0.28), while a desquamation index assessment in 21 participants showed a significant reduction of 44.07%, confirming its exfoliating efficacy. Taken together, these results suggest that the SC scrub is a safe, eco-friendly, and sustainable alternative to synthetic exfoliating agents, offering functional and industrial advantages for cosmetic applications.

Beyond Beauty: Neurocosmetics, the Skin-Brain Axis, and the Future of Emotionally Intelligent Skincare

The bidirectional communication between the skin and brain has emerged as a promising scientific paradigm in dermatology and cosmetic medicine. Neurocosmetics, a frontier at the intersection of neuroscience, dermatology, and psychodermatology, aim to target this skin-brain axis to enhance not only skin health but also emotional well-being. This commentary explores the underlying neurocutaneous and neuroimmune mechanisms, the emerging role of the skin microbiome in emotion-linked skin responses, and how artificial intelligence (AI) technologies can help personalize these strategies. The convergence of neuroscience and dermatology may pave the way for a new generation of evidence-based skincare with psychophysiological impact, a transformative concept in both clinical and cosmetic practice.

Trends, key contributors, and emerging issues in honey and breast cancer: A bibliometric analysis from 2014 to 2024

Background

Honey, a natural product with diverse bioactive compounds, has been increasingly explored for its potential anticancer properties. This study aims to comprehensively analyze the scientific literature on the relationship between honey and breast cancer.

Methods

A bibliometric analysis was conducted using the ScienceDirect database to identify publications from 2014 to 2024. Data on publication trends, author collaboration, and keyword analysis were extracted to gain insight into the research landscape. Keyword analysis identified nine distinct clusters, indicating diverse research directions regarding the role of honey in breast cancer treatment.

Results

In Key journals such as the Journal of Ethnopharmacology and Food Chemistry have been at the forefront of disseminating research findings in this domain, demonstrating a strongly interdisciplinary approach that bridges traditional medicine and modern scientific inquiry. The increasing interest in the anticancer properties of honey, as evidenced by the growing number of studies, underlines its potential as a promising natural agent for breast cancer prevention and treatment.

Conclusions

This study provides a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge landscape and highlights emerging issues that require further exploration.

Unforeseen current and future benefits of uncommon yeast: the Metschnikowia genus

Metschnikowia, the single-cell yeast form, is a genus of 85 species in the Saccharomycetales order that developed in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems after being found in 1899. This yeast is commonly used to control microbial populations in many biological and artificial conditions, such as fermentation. However, current study of Metschnikowia is limited to biological control features rather than researching on lucrative sectors such as beverage production, bioconversion manufacturing, cosmetics, and the pharmaceutical industry. This review summarizes numerous possible applications of Metschnikowia in human life, including potential secondary metabolites in industrial fields such as cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Furthermore, Metschnikowia-yeast interaction is mentioned as a potential area for further exploration in terms of co-cultured microbes as biocontrol. Since Metschnikowia yeast arose in a variety of ecosystems, more discussion will be held regarding the interactions between Metschnikowia and their surroundings, particularly in fruits. Finally, the current regulatory challenges of Metschnikowia-based products are examined, and future research opportunities on Metschnikowia utilization are presented. KEY POINTS: • Utilization of Metschnikowia genus in various human aspects. • Promising secondary metabolites produced by Metschnikowia. • Challenge and opportunity on developing Metschnikowia-based products.