Effect of Thai banana ( Musa AA group) in reducing accumulation of oxidation end products in UVB-irradiated mouse skin

Efficacy of Natural β-Carotene Chewable Tablets Derived from Banana (Musa AA) Pulp in Reducing UV-Induced Skin Erythema

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

UV radiation is a primary cause of skin damage and photoaging. β-carotene, a potent antioxidant, aids in mitigating UV-induced oxidative stress and enhancing skin photoprotection. This research aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a nutraceutical product designed to prevent photoaging.

METHODS

The product consists of a blend of hemp seed oil and banana (Musa AA), formulated as a chewable tablet. Healthy male participants aged 35-50 years were enrolled in a randomized, parallel, single-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Participants received either the chewable nutraceutical (five tablets after meals in the morning and evening, equivalent to 8 ± 2 mg/day of β-carotene and 400 mg/day of PUFA) or a chewable placebo for 16 weeks. A total of thirty-six participants successfully completed the entire 16-week study.

RESULTS

Administration of the nutraceutical resulted in a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in UV solar light stimulator-induced erythema on the dorsal skin at week 4, with a mean value of 3.76 ± 0.46 AU, compared to the initial value of 4.88 ± 0.62 AU at week 0. Additionally, serum β-carotene concentration significantly increased from 0.45 ± 0.02 µg/mL at week 0 to 0.61 ± 0.06 µg/mL at week 16 (p < 0.05). Moreover, skin intensity in the sun-exposed arm area also significantly improved at week 16, increasing from 71.33 ± 3.50 at week 0 to 81.80 ± 4.45 (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that the developed nutraceutical may offer effective protection against erythema, making it a promising option for preventing photoaging.

Valorization of Hom Thong Banana Peel (Musa sp., AAA Group) as an Anti-Melanogenic Agent Through Inhibition of Pigmentary Genes and Molecular Docking Study

Prolonged and unprotected exposure to the environment explicitly influences the development of hyperpigmented lesions. The enzyme tyrosinase (TYR) is a key target for regulating melanin synthesis. Several bioactive compounds derived from plant extracts have been found to possess potent anti-melanogenesis properties against TYR. In particular, the potential of banana peels from various varieties has garnered interest due to their application in skin hyperpigmentation treatment. A molecular docking study demonstrated interactions between rosmarinic acid, which is predominantly found in all Hom Thong peel extracts, and the active site of TYR (PDB ID: 2Y9X) at residues HIS263, VAL283, SER282, and MET280, with the lowest binding energy of -5.05 kcal/mol, showing the strongest interaction. Additionally, Hom Thong banana peels are rich in phenolic compounds that could inhibit melanin content and tyrosinase activity in both human and mouse melanoma cells. These effects may be attributed to the suppression of gene expression related to melanogenesis, including the regulator gene MITF and pigmentary genes TYR, TRP-1, and DCT, indicating effects comparable to those of the standard treatment groups with arbutin and kojic acid. Our findings indicated the potential of Hom Thong peel extracts as anti-melanogenic agents.

Effects of Litsea cubeba Essential Oil-Chitosan/Corn Starch Composite Films on the Quality and Shelf-Life of Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa)

In this work, we have developed a composite chitosan film incorporating the Litsea cubeba essential oil (LCEO) and starch with good physical properties, and investigated the effect of coating strawberries with this composite film. The best formula of the LCEO/chitosan/corn starch/glycerol (LCEO/CH/CS/gly) composite films is 0.25% LCEO, 2.75% CH, 0.40% corn starch, and 0.75% glycerol. Coating strawberries with CH/CS/gly film or LCEO/CH/CS/gly films resulted in significantly lower respiration intensity and a slower decay rate, much slower decreases in the firmness, and reductions in the sugar and ascorbic acid content of the fruit during storage (p < 0.05). The coatings also led to a much slower accumulation of malondialdehyde and anthocyanins (p < 0.05). The LCEO/CH/CS/gly film was generally more effective than the CH/CS/gly film; however, the effect was more obvious in the later stages of storage. Thus, coating strawberries with CH/CS/gly film or LCEO/CH/CS/gly film can be a viable method for extending the shelf-life of the fruit.

Kluai Hin (Musa sapientum Linn.) peel as a source of functional polyphenols identified by HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS and its potential antidiabetic function

To date, information on the polyphenolic composition of Kluai Hin banana peel and pulp and the potential antidiabetic activity of its major active compounds is limited. This study aimed to identify polyphenols in extracts of fresh and freeze-dried Kluai Hin banana peel and pulp (methanol:water; M:W, 80:20 for flavonoids and acetone:water:acetic acid; A:W:A, 50:49:1 for phenolic acids) by RP-HPLC-DAD and HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS. Additionally, inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities was investigated with crude extracts from Kluai Hin banana peel and pulp, and compared with its major polyphenols ((+)-catechin, (-)-epicatechin and gallic acid) and the antidiabetic drug acarbose. (-)-Gallocatechin was the most abundant polyphenol and was detected in all fresh and freeze-dried pulp and peel extracts by RP-HPLC-DAD. Furthermore, unidentified polyphenol peaks of Kluai Hin were further explored by HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS. The A:W:A fresh peel extract contained more total phenolic content (811.56 mg GAE/100 g) than the freeze-dried peel (565.03 mg GAE/100 g). A:W:A extraction of the fresh and freeze-dried peel of exhibited IC50 values for α-amylase activity 2.66 ± 0.07 mg/ml and 2.97 ± 0.00 mg/ml, respectively, but its inhibitory activity was lower than acarbose (IC50 = 0.25 ± 0.01 mg/ml). Peel extracts inhibited α-glucosidase activity, whereas pulp extracts had no effect. In addition, all standards, except gallocatechin, activated α-amylase activity, while, gallocatechin inhibited α-glucosidase activity better than acarbose. Therefore, we propose a further investigation into the use of Kluai Hin banana peel as a potential functional food for the management of postprandial glycaemic response to reduce diabetes risk and in the management of diabetes with a commercial drug.

The potential of Mangifera indica Linn. and Musa acuminata extracts to attenuate 4-hydroxyestradiol (4-OHE2 )-induced DNA oxidative damage in MCF-10A cells by upregulating detoxifying and antioxidant enzymes

Nowadays, there have been attempts to use phytochemicals in fruits to reduce the risk of suffering a given sickness. In this work, we studied the potential effects of mango (cultivar "Nam Dok Mai") and banana (cultivar "Khai") to attenuate DNA oxidative damage in MCF-10A cells induced by 4-hydroxyestradiol (4-OHE₂ ). The effects of mango extract (MNE) and banana extract (BKE) were comparable with three carotenoid compounds, β-carotene, lycopene, and lutein. The oxidative-induced DNA damage was evaluated by 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) reduction. 4-OHE₂ -induced DNA oxidative damage in MCF-10A cells showed a decrease in 8-OHdG formation when treated with MNE and BKE. Both fruit extracts also enabled the regaining production of Phase II detoxifying (GSTs and NQO1) and antioxidant (SOD, GPx, and CAT) enzymes during 4-OHE₂ -induced DNA oxidative damage in the MCF-10A cells when compared with the untreated control. These results indicate that MNE and BKE can exert potential mitigating effects against 4-OHE₂ -induced DNA oxidative damage in MCF-10A cells by enhancing the activities of detoxifying and antioxidant enzyme. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Long-term exposure to estrogen increases the risk of sickness since oxidative stress via the estrogen pathway, leading to DNA damage. This study indicated that mango (cultivar "Nam Dok Mai") extract contains β-carotene and lycopene, while banana (cultivar "Khai") extract contains β-carotene and lutein, which act as natural antioxidants. Both fruit extracts have preventive properties against oxidative DNA damage and are potentially good supplements for women taking E₂ between HRT.

Astragaloside prevents UV-induced keratinocyte injury by regulating TLR4/NF-κB pathway

BACKGROUND

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a key risk factor of environment to contribute photoaging and skin cancer through production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory responses. Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) is an active component from Astragalus membranaceus, and shows various pharmacological effects on inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis. However, whether AS-IV shows protective effect on UVB-induced injury in epidermal keratinocytes remain unknown.

AIMS

To explored the effects of AS-IV on UVB-induced oxidative injury and inflammatory response in human epidermal keratinocytes.

METHODS

HaCaT keratinocytes were exposed to UVB irradiation, followed by AS-IV incubation. The cell viability, intracellular ROS level, oxidative stress, and apoptosis were determined. The regulatory effects of AS-IV on toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) pathway in UVB-exposed HaCaT cells were also investigated.

RESULTS

Astragaloside IV pretreatment (10, 25, 50, 100 and 150 μM) increased cell viability in UVB-exposed HaCaT cells. AS-IV (50 μM) significantly reduced intracellular ROS level and lipid oxidation product malondialdehyde(MDA) content, and increased a ROS-scavenging enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) in HaCaT cells with UVB irradiation. In addition, AS-IV pretreatment suppressed apoptosis, increased Bax protein, caspase-3 and 9, and decreased BCL-2 protein in contrast to HaCaT cells with UVB-irradiation. AS-IV suppressed proinflammatory cytokine production, inhibited TLR4 and its downstream signaling molecules NF-κB, iNOS and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein expression. We also found that the effects of AS-IV on cell viability and TLR4 expression was reversed by NAC. The protective of AS-IV on UVB-induced damage and TLR4 expression was dependent on ROS, as the increase in viability and decrease in TLR4 protein by AS-IV was significantly attenuated by ROS scavenger NAC (1 mM).

CONCLUSION

Astragaloside IV prevent UVB-induced oxidative damage and inflammation by inhibiting TLR4 expression.

On a Beam of Light: Photoprotective Activities of the Marine Carotenoids Astaxanthin and Fucoxanthin in Suppression of Inflammation and Cancer

Every day, we come into contact with ultraviolet radiation (UVR). If under medical supervision, small amounts of UVR could be beneficial, the detrimental and hazardous effects of UVR exposure dictate an unbalance towards the risks on the risk-benefit ratio. Acute and chronic effects of ultraviolet-A and ultraviolet-B involve mainly the skin, the immune system, and the eyes. Photodamage is an umbrella term that includes general phototoxicity, photoaging, and cancer caused by UVR. All these phenomena are mediated by direct or indirect oxidative stress and inflammation and are strictly connected one to the other. Astaxanthin (ASX) and fucoxanthin (FX) are peculiar marine carotenoids characterized by outstanding antioxidant properties. In particular, ASX showed exceptional efficacy in counteracting all categories of photodamages, in vitro and in vivo, thanks to both antioxidant potential and activation of alternative pathways. Less evidence has been produced about FX, but it still represents an interesting promise to prevent the detrimental effect of UVR. Altogether, these results highlight the importance of digging into the marine ecosystem to look for new compounds that could be beneficial for human health and confirm that the marine environment is as much as full of active compounds as the terrestrial one, it just needs to be more explored.

Revalorization of bioactive compounds from tropical fruit by-products and industrial applications by means of sustainable approaches

Tropical fruits trade is on the rise due to the claimed health benefits related with their consumption. Functional activities are exerted by the presence of bioactive compounds which could be used for prevention or amelioration diseases. However, the occurrence of bioactive compounds is found mainly in non-edible fraction of tropical fruits which are usually discarded. Therefore, the revalorization of tropical fruits by-products as source of functional compounds is on the cutting-edge research. The implementation of this challenge not only allows the enhancement of the tropical fruits by-products management, but also the production of value-added products. This review compiles the latest comprehensive information about the revalorization of bioactive compounds from tropical fruits by-products. A revision of the sustainable green technologies used for the isolation of valuable compounds has been carried out as well as the current food, functional, cosmeceutical and bioenergetics industrial applications of bioactive compounds extracted from tropical fruits by-products.

Food-derived bioactive compounds with anti-aging potential for nutricosmetic and cosmeceutical products

Besides providing essential nutrients for humans, food contains bioactive compounds that exert diverse biological activities such as anti-microbial, anti-cancerogenic, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. The cosmetic industry is interested in natural bioactive compounds for their use in nutricosmetic and cosmeceutical products. These products aimed to reduce skin aging, inflammation or provide photoprotection against UV radiation. As a result, nutricosmetics and cosmeceuticals are becoming innovative self-care products in the beauty market. These products contain phytochemicals as active compounds obtained from fruits, vegetables, legumes, medicinal herbs and plants with anti-aging potential. This review summarizes the information within the last 5 years related to bioactive compounds present in fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices commonly used for human consumption. Their antioxidant and biological potential for modulating molecular markers involved in the aging process, as well as their mechanism of action. Diverse natural foods and their byproducts could be used as a source of bioactive compounds for developing cosmeceutical and nutricosmetic products.

Fucoxanthin and Rosmarinic Acid Combination Has Anti-Inflammatory Effects through Regulation of NLRP3 Inflammasome in UVB-Exposed HaCaT Keratinocytes

Excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the main risk factor to develop skin pathologies or cancer because it encourages oxidative condition and skin inflammation. In this sense, strategies for its prevention are currently being evaluated. Natural products such as carotenoids or polyphenols, which are abundant in the marine environment, have been used in the prevention of oxidative stress due to their demonstrated antioxidant activities. Nevertheless, the anti-inflammatory activity and its implication in photo-prevention have not been extensively studied. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the combination of fucoxanthin (FX) and rosmarinic acid (RA) on cell viability, apoptosis induction, inflammasome regulation, and anti-oxidative response activation in UVB-irradiated HaCaT keratinocytes. We demonstrated for the first time that the combination of FX and RA (5 µM RA plus 5 μM FX, designated as M2) improved antioxidant and anti-inflammatory profiles in comparison to compounds assayed individually, by reducing UVB-induced apoptosis and the consequent ROS production. Furthermore, the M2 combination modulated the inflammatory response through down-regulation of inflammasome components such as NLRP3, ASC, and Caspase-1, and the interleukin (IL)-1β production. In addition, Nrf2 and HO-1 antioxidant genes expression increased in UVB-exposed HaCaT cells pre-treated with M2. These results suggest that this combination of natural products exerts photo-protective effects by down-regulating NRLP3-inflammasome and increasing Nrf2 signalling pathway.

Effect of Sucrier Banana Peel Extracts on Inhibition of Melanogenesis through the ERK Signaling Pathway

Hyperpigmentation is a type of pigmentary disorder induced by overexpression of melanin content activated severe esthetic problems as melasma, freckle, ephelides, lentigo and other forms on human skin. Several whitening agents have restricted use because of their side effects or stability such as kojic acid, ascorbic acid and hydroquinone can act as cytotoxic substance which associated to dermatitis and skin cancer. To find for the safe substance, this study aimed to find for the ability of several components in Sucrier banana peel (SBP) extracts to inhibit melanogenesis process through p38 signaling pathway in B16F10 mouse melanoma cells. Tyrosinase activity and the cellular melanin content were dose dependent manner decreasing after SBP treatment. Furthermore, SBP decreased the expression of melanogenesis relate protein as microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and tyrosinase protein after 24 hours incubation with α-melanocyte stimulating hormones (MSH) stimulating. The findings demonstrated that SBP contained an effective agent for hyperpigmentation inhibitor through p38 signaling pathways without any effect to ERK pathway, and subsequent down-regulate MITF expression and tyrosinase enzyme family production.

Fucoxanthin-Containing Cream Prevents Epidermal Hyperplasia and UVB-Induced Skin Erythema in Mice

Microalgae represent a source of bio-active compounds such as carotenoids with potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. We aimed to investigate the effects of fucoxanthin (FX) in both in vitro and in vivo skin models. Firstly, its anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated in LPS-stimulated THP-1 macrophages and TNF-α-stimulated HaCaT keratinocytes, and its antioxidant activity in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells. Next, in vitro and ex vivo permeation studies were developed to determine the most suitable formulation for in vivo FX topical application. Then, we evaluated the effects of a FX-containing cream on TPA-induced epidermal hyperplasia in mice, as well as on UVB-induced acute erythema in hairless mice. Our results confirmed the in vitro reduction of TNF-α, IL-6, ROS and LDH production. Since the permeation results showed that cream was the most favourable vehicle, FX-cream was elaborated. This formulation effectively ameliorated TPA-induced hyperplasia, by reducing skin edema, epidermal thickness, MPO activity and COX-2 expression. Moreover, FX-cream reduced UVB-induced erythema through down-regulation of COX-2 and iNOS as well as up-regulation of HO-1 protein via Nrf-2 pathway. In conclusion, FX, administered in a topical formulation, could be a novel natural adjuvant for preventing exacerbations associated with skin inflammatory pathologies as well as protecting skin against UV radiation.