Anti-Photodamage Effect of Agaricus blazei Murill Polysaccharide on UVB-Damaged HaCaT Cells.

UVB radiation is known to induce photodamage to the skin, disrupt the skin barrier, elicit cutaneous inflammation, and accelerate the aging process. Agaricus blazei Murill (ABM) is an edible medicinal and nutritional fungus. One of its constituents, Agaricus blazei Murill polysaccharide (ABP), has been reported to exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and immunomodulatory effects, which suggests potential effects that protect against photodamage. In this study, a UVB-induced photodamage HaCaT model was established to investigate the potential reparative effects of ABP and its two constituents (A1 and A2). Firstly, two purified polysaccharides, A1 and A2, were obtained by DEAE-52 cellulose column chromatography, and their physical properties and chemical structures were studied. A1 and A2 exhibited a network-like microstructure, with molecular weights of 1.5 × 104 Da and 6.5 × 104 Da, respectively. The effects of A1 and A2 on cell proliferation, the mitochondrial membrane potential, and inflammatory factors were also explored. The results show that A1 and A2 significantly promoted cell proliferation, enhanced the mitochondrial membrane potential, suppressed the expression of inflammatory factors interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and increased the relative content of filaggrin (FLG) and aquaporin-3 (AQP3). The down-regulated JAK-STAT signaling pathway was found to play a role in the response to photodamage. These findings underscore the potential of ABP to ameliorate UVB-induced skin damage.

Saponins of Paris polyphylla for the Improvement of Acne: Anti-Inflammatory, Antibacterial, Antioxidant and Immunomodulatory Effects.

Acne is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with a recurring nature that seriously impacts patients' quality of life. Currently, antibiotic resistance has made it less effective in treating acne. However, Paris polyphylla (P. polyphylla) is a valuable medicinal plant with a wide range of chemical components. Of these, P. polyphylla saponins modulate the effects in vivo and in vitro through antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant effects. Acne is primarily associated with inflammatory reactions, abnormal sebum function, micro-ecological disorders, hair follicle hyperkeratosis, and, in some patients, immune function. Therefore, the role of P. polyphylla saponins and their values in treating acne is worthy of investigation. Overall, this review first describes the distribution and characteristics of P. polyphylla and the pathogenesis of acne. Then, the potential mechanisms of P. polyphylla saponins in treating acne are listed in detail (reduction in the inflammatory response, antibacterial action, modulation of immune response and antioxidant effects, etc.). In addition, a brief description of the chemical composition of P. polyphylla saponins and its available extraction methods are described. We hope this review can serve as a quick and detailed reference for future studies on their potential acne treatment.

Role of PI3K-AKT Pathway in Ultraviolet Ray and Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Oxidative Damage and Its Repair by Grain Ferments.

UV and external environmental stimuli can cause oxidative damage to skin cells. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in cell damage have not been systematically and clearly elucidated. In our study, an RNA-seq technique was used to determine the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of the UVA/H2O2-induced model. Gene Oncology (GO) clustering and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) Pathway analysis were performed to determine the core DEGs and key signaling pathway. The PI3K-AKT signaling pathway was selected as playing a part in the oxidative process and was verified by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). We selected three kinds of Schizophyllum commune fermented actives to evaluate whether the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway also plays a role in the resistance of active substances to oxidative damage. Results indicated that DEGs were mainly enriched in five categories: external stimulus response, oxidative stress, immunity, inflammation, and skin barrier regulation. S. commune-grain ferments can effectively reduce cellular oxidative damage through the PI3K-AKT pathway at both the cellular and molecular levels. Some typical mRNAs (COL1A1, COL1A2, COL4A5, FN1, IGF2, NR4A1, and PIK3R1) were detected, and the results obtained were consistent with those of RNA-seq. These results may give us a common set of standards or criteria for the screen of anti-oxidative actives in the future.