Effects of a lotion containing probiotic ferment lysate as the main functional ingredient on enhancing skin barrier: a randomized, self-control study

Antibacterial, Antioxidant, and Anti-inflammatory Activities of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei Lysates Isolated from Fermented Palm Sap

Paraprobiotics are inactivated microbial cells or cell fractions that confer health benefits to the consumer, and possess the ability to regulate both the adaptive and innate immune systems. They exhibit anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, antioxidant properties, and antimicrobial activities. The aim of this study is to evaluate these activities of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei lysates isolated from fermented palm sap. The bacterial cell lysates were prepared via sonication, and their antibacterial activity was assessed against three pathogens using agar well diffusion assay. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays. Cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory activity were determined in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells by measuring nitric oxide production, secretion, and mRNA level of cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10). Among the lysates, L. paracasei T1901 demonstrated the strongest antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, and Acinetobacter baumannii. Most lysates exhibited potent antioxidant activity, especially T0601 that showed the highest DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities. In LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, the lysates effectively reduced nitric oxide levels and suppressed the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and IL-6); simultaneously, the lysates enhanced immunosuppressive cytokine IL-10 secretion. Furthermore, no cytotoxic effect was observed in the lysate-treated RAW 264.7 cells. The study highlights the potential of L. paracasei lysates as multifunctional agents with antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. These findings support their application in developing functional foods or therapeutic agents for managing oxidative stress and inflammatory diseases.

Advancements in Lactiplantibacillus plantarum: probiotic characteristics, gene editing technologies and applications

The exploration of microorganisms in fermented products has become a pivotal area of scientific research, primarily due to their widespread availability and profound potential to improve human health. Among these, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (formerly known as Lactobacillus plantarum) stands out as a versatile lactic acid bacterium, prevalent across diverse ecological niches. Its appeal extends beyond its well-documented probiotic benefits to include the remarkable plasticity of its genome, which has captivated both scientific and industrial stakeholders. Despite this interest, substantial challenges persist in fully understanding and harnessing the potential of L. plantarum. This review aims to illuminate the probiotic attributes of L. plantarum, consolidate current advancements in gene editing technologies, and explore the multifaceted applications of both wild-type and genetically engineered strains.

Global Trends and Scientific Impact of Topical Probiotics in Dermatological Treatment and Skincare

The skin plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis and protecting against external aggressors. Recent research has highlighted the potential of probiotics and postbiotics in dermatological treatments and skincare. These beneficial microorganisms interact with the skin microbiota, modulate the immune response, and enhance the skin barrier, offering a promising therapeutic avenue for various skin conditions, such as acne, dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis. This bibliometric study aims to analyze the global trends and scientific impact of topical probiotics in dermatology. By reviewing 106 articles published between 2013 and 2023, the study categorizes the applications of probiotics in wound healing, inflammatory skin diseases, and general skincare. The findings indicate a significant increase in publications from 2021 onwards, attributed to the heightened focus on medical research during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study also identifies the most productive countries, institutions, and authors in this field, highlighting the importance of international collaborations. The results underscore the efficacy of probiotic-based topical formulations in improving skin health, reducing inflammation, and enhancing wound healing. This comprehensive analysis supports the development of new therapeutic strategies based on topical probiotics and encourages high-quality research in this promising area.

Cosmeceuticals: A Review of Clinical Studies Claiming to Contain Specific, Well-Characterized Strains of Probiotics or Postbiotics

The skin serves as a critical barrier against external threats-dehydration, ultraviolet exposure, and infections-playing a significant role in internal homeostasis and moisture retention. Additionally, and equally importantly, it interacts dynamically with the complex microbiome resident in it, which is essential for maintaining skin health. Recent interest has focused on the use of probiotics and postbiotics, besides their ability to modulate the skin microbiome, to enhance barrier function, and exhibit anti-inflammatory properties, to be involved in skincare, by having the potential to improve skin hydration, elasticity, and overall appearance, as well as in reducing signs of aging, such as wrinkles and fine lines. The products-being a combination of a cosmetic regime plus probiotic[s] or postbiotic[s]-are named cosmeceuticals. However, to comply with the regulations for the characterization of a microorganism as a specific probiotic strain, the pro- or postbiotics incorporated into the cosmetic regime should be both genetically and phenotypically defined. Thus, in this review, we present 14 published clinical trials using such cosmetic products with specific, well-characterized strains of probiotics or postbiotics applied to volunteers with healthy skin. Looking at the results of these studies collectively, we can say that these genetically and phenotypically defined strains of either live or inanimate bacteria and/or their components seem to keep the treated skin at least fully hydrated, with intact epithelial tone, increased radiance, and with decreased wrinkle depth, while normalizing the commensal skin microbiota. Future advancements in personalized skin care may lead to genomic sequencing and metabolomics to tailor probiotic and postbiotic treatments to individual skin microbiomes, promising a new frontier in cosmeceuticals.

Skin Deep: The Potential of Microbiome Cosmetics

The interplay between the skin microbiome and its host is a complex facet of dermatological health and has become a critical focus in the development of microbiome cosmetics. The skin microbiome, comprising various microorganisms, is essential from birth, develops over the lifespan, and performs vital roles in protecting our body against pathogens, training the immune system, and facilitating the breakdown of organic matter. Dysbiosis, an imbalance of these microorganisms, has been implicated in a number of skin conditions such as acne, atopic dermatitis, and skin cancer. Recent scientific findings have spurred cosmetic companies to develop products that preserve and enhance the skin's microbial diversity balance. These products may incorporate elements like prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics, which are beneficial for the skin microbiome. Beyond topical products, there's increasing interest in ingestible beauty supplements (i.e. oral probiotics), highlighting the connection between the gut and skin. This review examines the influence of the microbiome on skin health and the emerging trends of microbiome skincare products.