Attenuating properties of Agastache rugosa leaf extract against ultraviolet-B-induced photoaging via up-regulating glutathione and superoxide dismutase in a human keratinocyte cell line

Photoaging protective effect of enzyme extracted pomegranate peel against oxidative damage in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells

In this study, the ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced skin photoaging inhibitory activity of pomegranate peel extract with increased ellagic acid content through enzymatic hydrolysis was evaluated in HaCaT cells. Among various enzymes, Viscozyme with high tannase and β-glucosidase activities was used, and 1.0 % Viscozyme was added to hydrolyze pomegranate peel for 2 h at 40°C to establish the optimal reaction conditions for high ellagic acid content. Subsequently, when cells were treated with enzyme extracted pomegranate peels (40 μg/mL), the gene expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 and 13, which play key role in skin elasticity and moisture, and the protein expression of MMP13 were downregulated compared to the UVB-control group (UVB-C). In addition, the protein expression levels of tissue inhibitors, metalloproteinase-1 and 2, and collagen type I alpha 1 were upregulated, the gene expression of hyaluronic acid synthase-1, and filaggrin significantly increased, and interleukin-1β increased by photoaging was decreased. Furthermore, compared to the UVB-C, there was a significant increase in the gene expression of superoxide dismutase-1 and glutathione peroxidase, which resulted in a decrease in reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde levels. These results were confirmed to be due to the inhibition of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway and downregulation of the protein expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and P38. In conclusion, pomegranate peel, from which ellagic acid was extracted using Viscozyme, showed a reactive oxygen species inhibitory effect in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells and thus may have a significant potential as a cosmetic ingredient with anti-aging effects.

Combination of Nicotinamide and Agastache rugosa Extract: A Potent Strategy for Protecting Hs68 Cells from UVB-Induced Photoaging

This study investigated the protective effects of nicotinamide (NAM) and Agastache rugosa extract (AR) against ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced photoaging in Hs68 cells. The results demonstrated that NAM and AR, alone or in combination, exhibited concentration-dependent protective effects against UVB radiation. The highest synergistic effect was observed at a NAM:AR ratio of 6:4. This combination exhibited a synergistic protective effect against UVB-induced photoaging. The sample concentration required for 80% cell survival was 9.70 μM and 131.16 ppm for NAM and AR, respectively. However, when combined, they exhibited strong synergistic effects with concentrations as low as 0.11 μM and 17.50 ppm. Moreover, 5.26 μM of NAM and 1,082.13 ppm of AR were required to inhibit 30% of reactive oxygen species, but the combination treatment required 0.62 μM and 95.49 ppm, respectively. This combination significantly reduced the production of matrix metalloproteinase and increased collagen production. These findings highlight the potential of combining NAM and AR as functional cosmetic materials to protect against UVB-induced photoaging. The synergistic effects observed in this study provide valuable information for developing novel strategies for cosmetic combinations that target UVB-mediated skin damage.

Comparative Morphology of Island and Inland Agastache rugosa and Their Gastroprotective Effects in EtOH/HCl-Induced Gastric Mucosal Gastritis

Agastache rugosa Kuntze (Lamiaceae; Labiatae), a medicinal and functional herb used to treat gastrointestinal diseases, grows well both on islands and inland areas in South Korea. Thus, we aimed to reveal the morphological and micromorphological differences between A. rugosa grown on island and inland areas and their pharmacological effects on gastritis in an animal model by combining morphological and mass spectrophotometric analyses. Morphological analysis showed that island A. rugosa had slightly smaller plants and leaves than inland plants; however, the density of all types of trichomes on the leaves, petioles, and stems of island A. rugosa was significantly higher than that of inland plants. The essential oil component analysis revealed that pulegone levels were substantially higher in island A. rugosa than in inland A. rugosa. Despite the differences between island and inland A. rugosa, treatment with both island and inland A. rugosa reduced gastric damages by more than 40% compared to the gastritis induction group. In addition, expression of inflammatory protein was reduced by about 30% by treatment of island and inland A. rugosa. The present study demonstrates quantitative differences in morphology and volatile components between island and inland plants; significant differences were not observed between the gastritis-inhibitory effects of island and inland A. rugosa, and the efficacy of island A. rugosa was found to be similar to that of A. rugosa grown in inland areas.

A chromosome-level genome assembly of Korean mint (Agastache rugosa)

Agastache rugosa, also known as Korean mint, is a perennial plant from the Lamiaceae family that is traditionally used for various ailments and contains antioxidant and antibacterial phenolic compounds. Molecular breeding of A. rugosa can enhance secondary metabolite production and improve agricultural traits, but progress in this field has been delayed due to the lack of chromosome-scale genome information. Herein, we constructed a chromosome-level reference genome using Nanopore sequencing and Hi-C technology, resulting in a final genome assembly with a scaffold N50 of 52.15 Mbp and a total size of 410.67 Mbp. Nine pseudochromosomes accounted for 89.1% of the predicted genome. The BUSCO analysis indicated a high level of completeness in the assembly. Repeat annotation revealed 561,061 repeat elements, accounting for 61.65% of the genome, with Copia and Gypsy long terminal repeats being the most abundant. A total of 26,430 protein-coding genes were predicted, with an average length of 1,184 bp. The availability of this chromosome-scale genome will advance our understanding of A. rugosa's genetic makeup and its potential applications in various industries.

Effectiveness of silver nitrate application on plant growth and bioactive compounds in Agastache rugosa (Fisch. & C.A.Mey.) kuntze

The objective of this study was to determine the optimal dose of silver nitrate (AgNO3) for plant growth and to increase the main bioactive compounds in A. rugosa cultivated in a hydroponic system. The application of soaked diniconazole (120 μmol mol-1) to all plants at 7 days after transplanting (DAT) for dwarfing plant height, optimizing cultivation space in the plant factory. Subsequently, plants were soaked with 50, 100, 200, and 400 μmol mol-1 AgNO3 for 10 min at 25 DAT and harvested at 39 DAT. The results indicated that 200 and 400 μmol mol-1 treatments tended to severely decrease plant growth parameters compared to treatments with lower concentrations. The net photosynthetic rate was significantly reduced by the 200 and 400 μmol mol-1 treatments compared to treatments with other concentrations. The 400 μmol mol-1 treatment led to the lowest concentrations of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll a/b, total carotenoid, chlorophyll b, and the total chlorophyll. However, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity was considerably increased in 50, 100, 200, and 400 μmol mol-1 compared to that of the control plants. A higher rosmarinic acid (RA) concentration in the whole plant was noticed with the 400 μmol mol-1 treatment compared with that of the untreated plants. The 100 μmol mol-1 treatment exhibited the highest concentration and content of tilianin in the whole plant. Concentration of acacetin 1 significantly increased in the whole plant with 100 and 200 μmol mol-1 treatments compared with that of the untreated plants. Concentrations of acacetin 2 and 3 in the whole plant were the highest with 100 and 200 μmol mol-1 treatments, respectively. The results demonstrated that 100 μmol mol-1 treatments can be used to increase bioactive compounds without severely limiting the plant growth and reducing chlorophyll concentrations of A. rugosa. Implementing this optimal dose can enable growers and researchers to cultivate A. rugosa more efficiently, enhancing bioactive compound content and overall plant performance, thus harnessing the potential health benefits of this valuable plant species.

Agastache Species: A Comprehensive Review on Phytochemical Composition and Therapeutic Properties

The Agastache genus is part of the Lamiaceae family and is native to North America, while one species, Agastache rugosa (A. rugosa), is native to East Asia. A review on the phytochemistry and bioactivity of Agastache genus was last performed in 2014. Since then, a lot of progress has been made on the characterization of the phytochemical and pharmacological profiles of Agastache species. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to present a summary of the findings on the phytochemistry and biological effects of several Agastache species, including both extracts and essential oil characterization. We performed a comprehensive search using PubMed and Scopus databases, following PRISMA criteria regarding the study selection process. The available data is focused mainly on the description of the chemical composition and bioactivity of A. rugosa, with fewer reports referring to Agastache mexicana (A. mexicana) and Agastache foeniculum (A. foeniculum). Agastache species are characterized by the dominance of flavonoids and phenolic acids, as well as volatile compounds, particularly phenylpropanoids and monoterpenes. Moreover, a series of pharmacological effects, including antioxidant, cytotoxic, antimicrobial, anti-atherosclerotic, and cardioprotective properties, have been reported for species from the Agastache genus.

Antiphotoaging Effect of AGEs Blocker™ in UVB-Irradiated Cells and Skh:HR-1 Hairless Mice

Chronic exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a major cause of photoaging. It involves extrinsic aging, wrinkle formation, and skin dehydration, and leads to excessive production of active oxygen that adversely affects the skin. Here, we investigated the antiphotoaging effect of AGEs Blocker^TM (AB), which comprises Korean mint aerial part and fig and goji berry fruits. Compared to its individual components, AB was more potent at increasing the expression of collagen and hyaluronic acid and decreasing MMP-1 expression in UVB-irradiated Hs68 fibroblasts and HaCaT keratinocytes. In Skh:HR-1 hairless mice exposed to 60 mJ/cm² UVB for 12 weeks, oral administration of 20 or 200 mg/kg/day AB restored skin moisture by improving UVB-induced erythema, skin moisture, and transepidermal water loss, and alleviated photoaging by improving UVB-induced elasticity and wrinkles. Moreover, AB upregulated the mRNA levels of hyaluronic acid synthase and collagen-related Col1a1, Col3a1, and Col4a1 genes, increasing hyaluronic acid and collagen expression, respectively. AB inhibited UVB-induced MAPK and AP-1 (c-fos) activation, resulting in significantly downregulated expression of MMP-1 and -9, which are responsible for collagen degradation. AB also stimulated the expression and activity of antioxidative enzymes and reduced lipid peroxidation. Thus, AB is a potential preventive and therapeutic agent for photoaging.

Potent Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitory Activity of Constituents of Agastache rugosa (Fisch. and C.A.Mey.) Kuntze

The aerial parts of Agastache rugosa are used as a food material and traditional medicine in Asia. A 50% ethanol extract exhibited potent xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ = 32.4 µg/mL). To investigate the major components responsible for this effect, seven known compounds were identified from A. rugosa; among these, salvianolic acid B (2) was isolated from this plant for the first time. Moreover, acacetin (7) exhibited the most potent inhibitory activity with an IC₅₀ value of 0.58 µM, lower than that of allopurinol (IC₅₀ = 4.2 µM), which is commonly used as a XO inhibitor. Comparative activity screening revealed that the C6-bonded monosaccharides (3) or sugars substituted with acetyl or malonyl groups (4-6) are critical for XO inhibition when converted to aglycone (7). The most potent inhibitor (7) in the A. rugosa extract (ARE) exhibited mixed-type inhibition kinetics and reversible inhibition toward XO. Furthermore, the hydrolysis of ARE almost converted to an inhibitor (7), which displayed the highest efficacy; UPLC-qTof MS revealed an increased content, up to five times more compared with that before treatment. This study will contribute to the enhancement in the industrial value of ARE hydrolysates as a functional ingredient and natural drug toward the management of hyperuricemia and treatment of gout.

Chemical Distance Measurement and System Pharmacology Approach Uncover the Novel Protective Effects of Biotransformed Ginsenoside C-Mc against UVB-Irradiated Photoaging

Long-term exposure to ultraviolet light induces photoaging and may eventually increase the risk of skin carcinogenesis. Rare minor ginsenosides isolating from traditional medicine Panax (ginseng) have shown biomedical efficacy as antioxidation and antiphotodamage agents. However, due to the difficulty of component extraction and wide variety of ginsenoside, the identification of active antiphotoaging ginsenoside remains a huge challenge. In this study, we proposed a novel in silico approach to identify potential compound against photoaging from 82 ginsenosides. Specifically, we calculated the shortest distance between unknown and known antiphotoaging ginsenoside set in the chemical space and applied chemical structure similarity assessment, drug-likeness screening, and ADMET evaluation for the candidates. We highlighted three rare minor ginsenosides (C-Mc, Mx, and F2) that possess high potential as antiphotoaging agents. Among them, C-Mc deriving from American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) was validated by wet-lab experimental assays and showed significant antioxidant and cytoprotective activity against UVB-induced photodamage in human dermal fibroblasts. Furthermore, system pharmacology analysis was conducted to explore the therapeutic targets and molecular mechanisms through integrating global drug-target network, high quality photoaging-related gene profile from multiomics data, and skin tissue-specific expression protein network. In combination with in vitro assays, we found that C-Mc suppressed MMP production through regulating the MAPK/AP-1/NF-κB pathway and expedited collagen synthesis via the TGF-β/Smad pathway, as well as enhanced the expression of Nrf2/ARE to hold a balance of endogenous oxidation. Overall, this study offers an effective drug discovery framework combining in silico prediction and in vitro validation, uncovering that ginsenoside C-Mc has potential antiphotoaging properties and might be a novel natural agent for use in oral drug, skincare products, or functional food.

Network Pharmacology-Based Analysis of Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth Beneficial Effects to Alleviate Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Mice

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth/Huo Xiang (HX) is a perennial herb with unique anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and thus, can positively affect liver function. In this study, we used network pharmacology to predict the potential mechanism of HX on NAFLD. Pharmacological experiments were used to verify the effect of HX on the functions of NAFLD. Network pharmacology identified nine components that interacted with 82 NAFLD-related targets, revealing four target genes: TNF, IL6, TP53, and AKT1. HX prevents the development and progression of NAFLD through different pathways and targets with quercetin-regulated lipid metabolism, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant pathways playing an essential role in the treatment of NAFLD. Compared with feeding HFD, HX significantly attenuated lipid accumulation in vivo with mice and also in vitro with mouse liver cells. A high dose of HX decreased hepatocyte lipid accumulation and the abundance of SREBF1 and FASN. Validation experiments revealed that HX inhibited the activation of NF-κB/IκB signaling and decreased the release and levels of pro-inflammatory factors (TNF-α and IL-6). These data suggest that HX can attenuate abnormal lipid metabolic responses and enhance antioxidant mechanisms. Thus, the pharmacological effects from plants used in traditional Chinese medicine are achievde through a multi-level response.

Antioxidant Activity of Spiranthes sinensis and Its Protective Effect against UVB-Induced Skin Fibroblast Damage

Spiranthes sinensis (S. sinensis), a species of orchid, is a well-known herb medicine used to treat disorders such as stomachache, diabetes, shingles, and certain inflammatory diseases. Presently, the antioxidant activity of S. sinensis as well as its protective effect on UVB-induced skin injury are unclear. In this study, S. sinensis was extracted with boiling water or 75% (v/v) ethanol, and then its antioxidant composition and antioxidant activity were determined. The protective effects of S. sinensis against UVB-induced damage in human skin fibroblasts (CCD-966SK) were also investigated. Our data showed that the extraction yield of boiling water was higher than that of 75% ethanol. However, compared to the aqueous extracts, the ethanol extracts not only had higher phenolic, flavonoid, and condensed tannin contents, but also exhibited higher free radical scavenging activity, higher reducing power, and higher ferrous ion-chelating capacity. When fibroblasts were pre-cultured with the water or ethanol extracts of S. sinensis (1500 μg/mL) for 24 h before applying UVB irradiation, the S. sinensis extracts restored 17% to 27% of cell viability compared to a control only irradiated with UVB. Overall, our study suggests that S. sinensis extracts can be used as effective antioxidants and have the potential to protect skin fibroblasts from UVB irradiation.

The phenolic acids from Oplopanax elatus Nakai stems and their potential photo-damage prevention activity

25 phenolic acids, including four new isolates, eurylophenosides A-D (1-4) and 21 known ones (5-25) were isolated and identified from the stems of Oplopanax elatus Nakai. Among the known compounds 5-9, 11-13, 16, 18-25 were isolated from the genus for the first time; 17 was first obtained from the plant; and the NMR data of 22 was reported here first. Meanwhile, the UVB-induced photodamage model of HaCaT cells was used to study the prevent-photodamage abilities of compounds 1-2, 4-8, 11-13 and 15-25 with a nontoxic concentration at 50 μM. Moreover, a dose-dependent experiment was conducted for active compounds at the concentration of 10, 25, and 50 µM, respectively. Consequently, pretreatment with compounds 1, 16, 17, 19, 20, 22, 24 and 25 could suppress the cell viability decreasing induced by UVB irradiation in a concentration-dependent manner. These results indicated that phenolic acids were one kind of material basis with prevent-photodamage activity of O. elatus.

Keratinocyte Growth Factor 2 Ameliorates UVB-Induced Skin Damage via Activating the AhR/Nrf2 Signaling Pathway

Objective: Exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) can cause skin damage through oxidative stress, DNA damage, and apoptosis. Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) has been shown to reduce the content of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) following UVB exposure, a role that is crucial for the efficient photoprotection of skin. The present study evaluated the photoprotective effect of KGF-2 on UVB-induced skin damage and explored its potential molecular mechanism.

Methods: To evaluate the effect of KGF-2 on UVB-induced damage ex vivo, a human epidermal full-thickness skin equivalent was pretreated without or with KGF-2 and then exposed to UVB and the levels of histopathological changes, DNA damage, inflammation, and apoptosis were then evaluated. The ability of KGF-2 to protect the cells against UVB-inflicted damage and its effect on ROS production, apoptosis, and mitochondrial dysfunction were determined in HaCaT cells.

Results: Pretreatment of the epidermis with KGF-2 ameliorated the extent of photodamage. At the cellular level, KGF-2 could attenuate ROS production, apoptosis, DNA damage, and mitochondrial dysfunction caused by UVB exposure. KGF-2 could also activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) to trigger the Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Conclusion: Taken together, our findings suggested that KGF-2 could ameliorate UVB-induced skin damage through inhibiting apoptosis, reducing oxidative stress, and preventing DNA damage and mitochondrial dysfunction via regulating AhR/Nrf2 signaling pathway.

A Systematic Review of Antiaging Effects of 23 Traditional Chinese Medicines

BACKGROUND

Aging is an inevitable stage of body development. At the same time, aging is a major cause of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative diseases. Chinese herbal medicine is a natural substance that can effectively delay aging and is expected to be developed as antiaging drugs in the future. Aim of the review. This paper reviews the antiaging effects of 23 traditional Chinese herbal medicines or their active components. Materials and methods. We reviewed the literature published in the last five years on Chinese herbal medicines or their active ingredients and their antiaging role obtained through the following databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science.

RESULTS

A total of 2485 papers were found, and 212 papers were screened after removing the duplicates and reading the titles. Twenty-three studies met the requirements of this review and were included. Among these studies, 13 articles used Caenorhabditis elegans as the animal model, and 10 articles used other animal models or cell lines.

CONCLUSION

Chinese herbal medicines or their active components play an antiaging role by regulating genes related to aging through a variety of signaling pathways. Chinese herbal medicines are expected to be developed as antiaging drugs or used in the medical cosmetology industry.

Anti-Inflammatory, Barrier-Protective, and Antiwrinkle Properties of Agastache rugosa Kuntze in Human Epidermal Keratinocytes

This work aimed to assess the skin-beneficial properties of Agastache rugosa Kuntze, an herbal medication used to treat different types of disorders in traditional folk medicine. The total phenolic compounds and total antiradical, nitrite scavenging, superoxide scavenging, antielastase, and antihyaluronidase activities of a hot water extract of A. rugosa Kuntze leaves (ARE) were spectrophotometrically determined. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was fluorometrically quantitated using 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA). Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and filaggrin were evaluated using Western analysis. Real-time quantitative RT-PCR was used to measure filaggrin mRNA. Caspase-14 activity was determined using a fluorogenic substrate. ARE contained the total phenolic content of 38.9 mg gallic acid equivalent/g extract and exhibited 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, superoxide radical, and nitrite scavenging activities with the SC₅₀ values of 2.9, 1.4, and 1.7 mg/mL, respectively. ARE exerted suppressive activities on nitric oxide (NO) and ROS levels elevated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in HaCaT keratinocytes. It attenuated the LPS-stimulated expression of iNOS. ARE augmented the UV-B-reduced filaggrin expression on both protein and mRNA levels and was capable of upregulating the UV-B-reduced caspase-14 activity. ARE inhibited in vitro elastase and hyaluronidase activities associated with the wrinkling process. ARE, at the concentrations used, did not interfere with the viability of HaCaT keratinocytes. These findings preliminarily imply that the leaves of A. rugosa possess desirable cosmetic potentials, such as anti-inflammatory, barrier protective, and antiwrinkle activities, which infers their skin healing potentials.

Pharmacological Effects of Agastache rugosa against Gastritis Using a Network Pharmacology Approach

Agastache rugosa is used as a Korean traditional medicine to treat gastric diseases. However, the active ingredients and pharmacological targets of A. rugosa are unknown. In this study, we aimed to reveal the pharmacological effects of A. rugosa on gastritis by combining a mice model and a network pharmacology method. The macrophage and gastritis-induced models were used to evaluate the pharmacological effects of A. rugosa. The results show that A. rugosa relieved mucosal damage induced by HCl/EtOH in vivo. Network analysis identified 99 components in A. rugosa; six components were selected through systematic screening, and five components were linked to 45 gastritis-related genes. The main components were acacetin and luteolin, and the identified core genes were AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT1), nuclear factor kappa B inhibitor alpha (NFKBIA), and mitogen-activated protein kinase-3 (MAPK3) etc. in this network. The network of components, target genes, protein–protein interactions, and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway was closely connected with chemokines and with phosphoinositide 3-kinase-Akt (PI3K/AKT), tumor-necrosis-factor alpha (TNFα), mitogen-activated protein kinase, nuclear factor kappa B, and Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways. In conclusion, A. rugosa exerts gastro-protective effects through a multi-compound and multi-pathway regulatory network and holds potential for treating inflammatory gastric diseases.

Anti-Photoaging Effect of Korean Mint (Agastache rugosa Kuntze) Extract on UVB-Irradiated Human Dermal Fibroblasts

Ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation-induced photoaging leads to wrinkles, dryness, and skin roughness. UVB irradiation activates the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and stimulates the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/activator protein-1 (AP-1) signaling pathway, which promotes expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and inflammatory cytokines. The current study aimed to assess the anti-photoaging activity of Agastache rugosa extract (ARE) on UVB-treated human dermal fibroblasts. ARE treatment reduced the overproduction of ROS and promoted mRNA expression of anti-oxidant enzymes. ARE treatment significantly inactivated the MAPK/AP-1 signaling pathway, which downregulated the expression of MMPs. Moreover, ARE promoted the production of type-I procollagen and upregulated mRNA expression of collagen genes. Additionally, ARE suppressed the expression of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-8, by preventing expression of nuclear factor-kappa B. Collectively, our findings show that ARE could be a potential candidate for anti-photoaging treatment.

Anti-photoaging effects of solvent-partitioned fractions from Portulaca oleracea L. on UVB-stressed human keratinocytes

In this study, the anti-photoaging activity of solvent-fractionated extracts from Portulaca oleracea L. was investigated in ultraviolet B-stressed keratinocytes. The results showed that the treatment of the fractions suppressed the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activated mRNA and protein expression levels of superoxide dismutase1 (SOD-1) and heme oxygenase1 (HO-1) enzymes via Nrf-2 pathway. The tested fractions down-regulated the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and up-regulated type Ⅰ procollagen production. Among the tested samples, the 85% aq. MeOH fraction was the most effective in suppressing MMPs and type Ⅰ procollagen degradation. Two homoisoflavonoids, portulacanone A (PA) and portulacanon D (PD), were isolated from the 85% aq. MeOH fraction. PA and PD successfully inhibited the secretionof MMP-1 and increased the production of type Ⅰ procollagen in UVB-stressed keratinocytes. Therefore, solvent-partitioned factions from P. oleracea and its active components, PA and PD, were suggested to have beneficial effects against photoaging. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Portulaca oleracea L. is an edible nutrient-rich herb with high amounts of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, ascorbic acid, and dietary minerals. P. oleracea has also been used as a botanical medicine for its potential health benefits such as antioxidant, antibacterial, and antiinflammatory properties. The current study suggested that the extracts from P. oleracea were able to prevent human keratinocytes from UVB-induced stress and damage. Due to its protective abilities, it can be used as an additive in the cosmeceutical industry to produce novel skin protectants. In addition, due to its intracellular antioxidant and MMP inhibitory effects, it can be a valuable source for nutraceutical development. Further studies that characterize the isolated flavonoids may also yield bioactive molecules to be utilized in cosmeceutical and nutraceutical industries as lead compounds. Nevertheless, P. oleracea can serve as a health beneficial addition to topical applications and dietary supplements against UVB-stimulated oxidative stress in skin cells.

Probiotic fermentation augments the skin anti-photoaging properties of Agastache rugosa through up-regulating antioxidant components in UV-B-irradiated HaCaT keratinocytes

Background

Agastache rugosa (Fisch. & C.A.Mey.) Kuntze (Korean mint) is used to treat diverse types of human disorders in traditional medicine. In recent years, its non-fermented leaf extract (ARE) has been shown to possess protective properties against ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation-induced photooxidative stress. The present work aimed to examine whether probiotic bacterial fermentation would potentiate the skin anti-photoaging activity of ARE or not, by comparing the protective properties of ARE and corresponding fermented extract (ARE-F) against UV-B radiation-induced photooxidative stress in HaCaT keratinocytes.

Methods

ARE-F was produced from ARE by the fermentation with Lactobacillus rhamnosus HK-9, a type of Gram-positive probiotic bacterial strain. Anti-photoaging activities were evaluated by analyzing reactive oxygen species (ROS), promatrix metalloproteinases (proMMPs), total glutathione (GSH) and total superoxide dismutase (SOD) in UV-B-irradiated HaCaT keratinocytes. Antiradical activity was determined using 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging assay.

Results

ARE-F contained higher attenuating activity on the UV-B-induced ROS generation than ARE. Similarly, ARE-F was able to diminish the UV-B-induced proMMP-9 and -2 more effectively than ARE. ARE-F displayed higher tendencies to augment the UV-B-reduced total GSH content and SOD activity than ARE. However, there were no significant difference between ARE and ARE-F in ABTS radical scavenging activities.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that the UV-B radiation-protective activity of ARE is enhanced by probiotic bacterial fermentation, which might improve the therapeutic and cosmetic values of A. rugosa leaves.

Piper retrofractum Vahl. Extract, as a PPARδ and AMPK Activator, Suppresses UVB-Induced Photoaging through Mitochondrial Biogenesis and MMPs Inhibition in Human Dermal Fibroblasts and Hairless Mice

Photoaging occurs by UVB-irradiation and involves production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and overexpression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), leading to extracellular matrix damage. Piper retrofractum Vahl. is used as a traditional medicine for antiflatulence, expectorant, sedative, and anti-irritant; however, its antiphotoaging effect has not yet been studied. The current study investigated the antiphotoaging effect of standardized Piper retrofractum extract (PRE) on UVB-damaged human dermal fibroblasts and hairless mouse skin. PRE treatment activated the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta (PPARδ) and the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), consequently upregulating mitochondrial synthesis and reducing ROS production. Additionally, PRE inhibited MMPs expression via suppressing mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and activator protein-1 (AP-1). PRE downregulated UVB-induced inflammatory reactions by inhibiting the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activity. PRE also enhanced transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) and the Smad signaling pathway, thereby promoting procollagen gene transcription. Furthermore, oral administration of PRE (300 mg/kg/day) similarly regulated the signaling pathways and increased antioxidant enzyme expression, thus attenuating physiological deformations, such as wrinkle formation and erythema response. Collectively, these results suggest that PRE acts as a potent antiphotoaging agent via PPARδ and AMPK activation.