Biological activities and chemical components of Potentilla kleiniana Wight & Arn.

In this study, we investigated the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and cytoprotective activities of ethanol extract and the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction of P. kleiniana Wight & Arn. The EtOAc fraction exhibited antimicrobial effects against most of the microorganisms that were tested, including Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and, Escherichia coli, but not Aspergillus niger. In addition to its excellent antioxidant activity, the EtOAc fraction attenuated the UVB-induced cell death via upregulation of caspase-3 expression in human keratinocytes. The HPLC/ESI-MS/MS analysis allowed identification of the components in the EtOAc fraction. Overall, our results suggest that P. kleiniana is a valuable source of bioactive compounds for the development of pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

Atractyligenin, a terpenoid isolated from coffee silverskin, inhibits cutaneous photoaging.

Ultraviolet (UV) light exposure-induced photoaging of the skin is a multifactorial process involving both extrinsic and intrinsic cellular mechanisms. Several naturally occurring products are known to confer protection against UV light-induced skin damage. Our preliminary studies confirmed that the ethyl acetate fraction of coffee silverskin exhibits inhibitory effects on matrix metalloproteases (MMPs). Furthermore, we previously isolated and identified atractyligenin, which has MMP-inhibitory activity, from the silverskin ethyl acetate fraction. The aim of this study was to elucidate the anti-photoaging effects of atractyligenin on human dermal fibroblasts and the underlying mechanism. Human dermal fibroblasts were exposed to 8 J/cm2 UVA radiation, and cell viability was analyzed by MTT assay. The fluorescent dye 2', 7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H2DCF-DA) was used to measure the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Our study showed that atractyligenin significantly suppressed the expression of UVA-induced MMPs by inhibiting intracellular ROS production. Atractyligenin treatment reduced c-Jun phosphorylation and c-Fos expression by inhibiting the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway activated by UVA irradiation. Additionally, treatment with atractyligenin contributed to the homeostasis of collagen by restoring the loss of collagen absorption-related receptor Endo180 and altered fibroblast morphology induced by UVA irradiation. These results indicate that atractyligenin isolated from coffee silverskin inhibits multiple pathways in the human skin photoaging process and is thus a potential candidate for treatment or prevention of photoaging.

Antimelanogenic and Antimigration Properties of the Ethyl Acetate Fraction of Calendula officinalis Flowers on Melanoma Cells.

Calendula officinalis L., commonly known as marigold, is not only cultivated for ornamental purposes but is also used as a traditional medicinal herb. Its flowers have been used to treat various skin diseases, including rashes, burns, cuts and bruises, since ancient times. However, to our knowledge, the impact of C. officinalis L. on melanoma and its mechanism have not been clarified. The aim of this work was to investigate the chemical characterization and antimelanogenic and antimigration activities of the ethyl acetate fraction of C. officinalis flowers (EFC), as well as elucidate the potential mechanism. The obtained results showed that EFC markedly decreased α-MSH-induced melanin production and the cell migration ability of melanoma cells in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, EFC significantly inhibited the activity and expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) via suppressing the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. Taken together, the present study demonstrated that C. officinalis flowers can be used as a natural source of antimelanogenisis and antimigration regent to treatment or prevent skin diseases.

Anti-Aging Activity of Lavandula angustifolia Extract Fermented with Pediococcus pentosaceus DK1 Isolated from Diospyros kaki Fruit in UVB-Irradiated Human Skin Fibroblasts and Analysis of Principal Components.

The effects of Lavandula angustifolia extract fermented with Pediococcus pentosaceus DK1 on UVB-mediated MMP-1 expression and collagen decrease in human skin fibroblasts were determined, and the conversion of its components was also analyzed. Fermentation was performed at varying L. angustifolia extract and MRS medium concentrations, and optimal fermentation conditions were selected. L. angustifolia extracts showed decreased cytotoxicity after fermentation in the fibroblasts. UVB-irradiated fibroblasts treated with fermented L. angustifolia extract showed MMP-1 expression 8.2-14.0% lower than that in UVB-irradiated fibroblasts treated with non-fermented extract. This was observed even at fermented extract concentrations lower than those of non-fermented extracts. Fibroblasts treated with fermented L. angustifolia extract showed 20% less reduction in collagen production upon UVB irradiation than those treated with non-fermented extracts. UVB-irradiated fibroblasts treated with fermented L. angustifolia extracts showed 50% higher inhibition of ROS generation than those treated with non-fermented extract. Luteolin and apigenin glycosides of L. angustifolia were converted during fermentation, and identified using RP-HPLC and LC/ESI-MS. Therefore, the effects of L. angustifolia extract on MMP-1 expression and collagen decrease in UVB-irradiated human skin fibroblasts were increased through fermentation by P. pentosaceus.

Synergistic Antimicrobial Effect of Lonicera japonica and Magnolia obovata Extracts and Potential as a Plant-Derived Natural Preservative.

Most people use cosmetics to protect their skin. Preservatives are often used to prevent their contamination upon use. There has been a great demand for natural preservatives due to recent reports on the side effects of parabens. Therefore, we evaluated the antimicrobial activities of Lonicera japonica and Magnolia obovata extracts and determined their potential as natural preservatives. We found that the 50% ethanol extract from L. japonica had antibacterial activity only against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa, while the ethyl acetate fraction showed antimicrobial activity against all six microbial strains tested. On the other hand, the 70% ethanol extract and the ethyl acetate fraction from M. obovata showed antimicrobial activity against all six strains. A synergistic effect against S. aureus, B. subtilis, and C. albicans was confirmed when two ethyl acetate fractions having antimicrobial activity against all six strains were used in combination. Synergistic activity against B. subtilis was also confirmed through kill-time analysis. High-performance liquid chromatography was performed to identify the components of each extract. Based on the minimum inhibitory concentration and the results of a disc diffusion assay, we confirmed that caffeic acid and luteolin influenced the antimicrobial activity of L. japonica and that the antimicrobial activity of M. obovata was influenced by the interaction of magnolol and honokiol with other components. Therefore, this study suggests that the combination of L. japonica and M. obovata extracts may be used as a plant-derived natural preservative.

Suppression of Ultraviolet B-mediated Matrix Metalloproteinase Generation by Sorbus commixta Twig Extract in Human Dermal Fibroblasts.

Sorbus commixta is a traditional oriental medicinal plant that grows in East Asian countries such as Korea, Japan and China. The twig of S. commixta has been considered valuable for centuries to treat diseases including asthma, cough and other bronchial disorders. However, the effect of S. commixta twig extract on human skin has not been investigated well. The present study aimed at assessing the antiphotoaging effect of S. commixta twig ethanol extract (STE) on ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) levels and its underlying mechanism in human dermal fibroblasts. In this study, we found that STE (12.5-50 µg mL-1 ) treatment significantly inhibited UVB-induced MMP-1, MMP-2 and MMP-3 expression, concomitant with a downregulation of intracellular ROS generation. These effects might be associated with a STE-induced inhibition of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Furthermore, STE also downregulated UVB-induced c-Fos expression in a concentration-dependent manner, but had no inhibitory effect on c-Jun phosphorylation. Taken together, these results indicate that STE may be an antiphotoaging agent and that its effect may occur via its inhibition of MMPs expression and MAPK pathway activation.

Antioxidative and Antiaging Activities and Component Analysis of Lespedeza cuneata G. Don Extracts Fermented with Lactobacillus pentosus.

Lespedeza cuneata G. Don is a traditional herb that has been associated with multiple biological activities. In this study, we investigated the antioxidative/antiaging activities and performed an active component analysis of the non-fermented and fermented (using Lactobacillus pentosus) extracts of Lespedeza cuneata G. Don. The antioxidative activities of the fermented extract were higher than those of non-fermented extracts. The elastase inhibitory activity, inhibitory effects on UV-induced MMP-1 expression, and ability to promote type I procollagen synthesis were investigated in Hs68 human fibroblasts cells. These tests also revealed that the fermented extract had increased antiaging activities compared with the non-fermented extract. A component analysis of the ethyl acetate fractions of non-fermented and fermented extracts was performed using TLC, HPLC, and LC/ESI-MS/MS to observe changes in the components before and after fermentation. Six components that were different before and after fermentation were investigated. It was thought that kaempferol and quercetin were converted from kaempferol glucosides and quercetin glucosides, respectively, via bioconversion with the fermentation strain. These results indicate that the fermented extract of L. cuneata G. Don has potential for use as a natural cosmetic material with antioxidative and antiaging effects.

Cell penetrating peptide conjugated liposomes as transdermal delivery system of Polygonum aviculare L. extract.

In this study, Polygonum aviculare L. extract, which has superior antioxidative and cellular membrane protective activity, was loaded onto cell penetrating peptide (CPP) conjugated liposomes to enhance transdermal delivery. The physical characteristics of typical liposomes and CPP-conjugated liposomes containing P. aviculare extract were evaluated. The particle sizes of both liposomes were approximately 150 nm. Whereas the zeta potential of typical liposomes was -45 mV, that of CPP-conjugated liposomes was +42 mV. The loading efficiency of P. aviculare extract in both liposomes was calculated to be about 83%. Fluorescent-labeled liposomes were prepared to evaluate cellular uptake and skin permeation efficiency. Using flow cytometry, we found that CPP-conjugated liposomes improved cellular uptake of the fluorescent dye as compared with the typical liposomes. In addition, the skin permeation of CPP-conjugated liposomes was proved higher than that of typical liposomes by confocal laser scanning microscopy studies and Franz diffusion cell experiments. The improved cellular uptake and skin permeation of the CPP-conjugated liposomes were due to the cationic arginine-rich peptide. In vivo studies also determined that the CPP-conjugated liposomes were more effective in depigmentation and anti-wrinkle studies than typical liposomes. These results indicate that the CPP-conjugated liposomes could be effective for transdermal drug delivery of antioxidant and anti-aging therapeutics.