Amaryllidaceae alkaloids in skin cancer management: Photoprotective effect on human keratinocytes and anti-proliferative activity in melanoma cells.

Skin cancer has high rates of mortality and therapeutic failure. In this study, to develop a multi-agent strategy for skin cancer management, the selective cytotoxicity of several alkaloid fractions and pure alkaloids isolated from Amaryllidaceae species was evaluated in melanoma cells. In addition, UVB-stimulated keratinocytes (HaCaT) were exposed to seven alkaloid fractions characterized by GC-MS, and the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and IL-6, were measured to evaluate their photoprotection effects. The Eucharis caucana (bulb) alkaloid fraction (20 µg/ml) had a clear effect on the viability of melanoma cells, reducing it by 45.7% without affecting healthy keratinocytes. This alkaloid fraction and tazettine (both at 2.5 µg/ml) suppressed UVB-induced ROS production by 31.6% and 29.4%, respectively. The highest anti-inflammatory potential was shown by the Zephyranthes carinata (bulb) alkaloid fraction (10 µg/ml), which reduced IL-6 production by 90.8%. According to the chemometric analysis, lycoramine and tazettine had a photoprotective effect on the UVB-exposed HaCaT cells, attenuating the production of ROS and IL-6. These results suggest that Amaryllidaceae alkaloids have photoprotective and therapeutic potential in skin cancer management, especially at low concentrations.

Potential use of native fruits waste from Argentina as nonconventional sources of cosmetic ingredients.

BACKGROUND: Collagenase, hyaluronidase, elastase, and tyrosinase enzymes are overexpressed and overactive in the skin aging process and hydrolyze the components of the dermal extracellular matrix (ECM) of the skin; these enzymes produce the clinical framework of aging, which includes skin dryness, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, and inelasticity. AIMS: The aim of this study was to explore the potential use of waste from two Argentine native fruits, namely Ziziphus mistol, and red and orange varieties of Solanum betaceum, as sources of bioactive compounds. METHODS: Phenolic enriched extracts (PEE) from waste of Z. mistol and S. betaceum were obtained, and their total contents of phenolics and flavonoids were evaluated. The bioactive properties of the extracts were analyzed by measuring their antioxidant capacity and the inhibitory activity on collagenase, hyaluronidase, elastase, and tyrosinase enzymes. RESULTS: The increased ability to inhibit the collagenase was demonstrated by the PEE of Z. mistol seeds and peel, while the enzyme elastase was mostly inhibited by extracts of S. betaceum skin. Z. mistol seed extract was the most active to inhibit hyaluronidase, reaching 96% inhibition at a concentration of 100 µg GAE/mL. The most active extracts to inhibit the tyrosinase enzyme were obtained from the peel of two varieties of chilto fruits, orange and red, and the mistol seed. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained suggest that Z. mistol and S. betaceum waste may be considered as a source of bioactive phenolics. Here, Argentine native fruits waste is presented as a most promising alternative in cosmetic products, with future uses such as hydrogels, creams, or lotions.

Chemical and Skincare Property Characterization of the Main Cocoa Byproducts: Extraction Optimization by RSM Approach for Development of Sustainable Ingredients.

Methylxanthines and polyphenols from cocoa byproducts should be considered for their application in the development of functional ingredients for food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations. Different cocoa byproducts were analyzed for their chemical contents, and skincare properties were measured by antioxidant assays and anti-skin aging activity. Musty cocoa beans (MC) and second-quality cocoa beans (SQ) extracts showed the highest polyphenol contents and antioxidant capacities. In the collagenase and elastase inhibition study, the highest effect was observed for the SQ extract with 86 inhibition and 36% inhibition, respectively. Among cocoa byproducts, the contents of catechin and epicatechin were higher in the SQ extract, with 18.15 mg/100 g of sample and 229.8 mg/100 g of sample, respectively. Cocoa bean shells (BS) constitute the main byproduct due to their methylxanthine content (1085 mg of theobromine and 267 mg of caffeine/100 g of sample). Using BS, various influencing factors in the extraction process were investigated by response surface methodology (RSM), before scaling up separations. The extraction process developed under optimized conditions allows us to obtain almost 2 g/min and 0.2 g/min of total methylxanthines and epicatechin, respectively. In this way, this work contributes to the sustainability and valorization of the cocoa production chain.

Potential use of medicinal plants from Argentinean highland as agent anti-photoaging.

BACKGROUND: The overexposure to sun ultraviolet (UV) radiation produce photoaging by effect of free radicals on lipid, protein, and nucleic acid or by direct activation of responsible enzymes of cleavage of extracellular matrix components (EMC). AIMS: To develop new anti-photoaging agents, the anti-aging activity of four "jarillas" standardized extracts from Argentina (Zuccagnia punctata Cav.,Larrea divaricata Cav.,Larrea cuneifolia Cav., and Larrea nitida Cav.) were examined. METHODS: The effect on the activity and expression of enzymes related to photoaging (collagenase, hyaluronidase, elastase, tyrosinase) and the antioxidant capacity of four "jarillas" extracts were examined. RESULTS: The results suggest that "jarillas" extracts could protect EMC by inhibition of skin aging-related enzymes and suppression of the expression of metalloproteinases (MMP-1) in human skin fibroblasts from photoinduced damage. Modulation of MMP-1 expression induced by UV radiation in human skin cells could be associated, at least in part, with the ROS scavenging capacity of "jarilla" extracts. The extract of Z punctata was more active than Larrea species extracts in all the trials. The activity of Z punctata and Larrea extracts could be ascribed to chalcones and lignans, major constituents of "jarillas," respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained would indicate the potential of these adapted species to live in arid zones of Argentina, exposed to high ultraviolet radiation in production of cosmetic products and justify the promotion of their sustainable use and the development of crops.

Passiflora tarminiana fruits reduce UVB-induced photoaging in human skin fibroblasts.

Skin aging is a complex process that is strongly affected by UV radiation, which stimulates the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the epidermis and dermis and subsequently causes skin damage. Among the major consequences are increased collagen degradation and reduced collagen synthesis. Previous reports have demonstrated the beneficial effects of polyphenols for healthy skin. Passiflora tarminiana Coppens & V.E. Barney, a species of the Passifloraceae family, is widely distributed in South America and is rich in flavonoids. We show that UVB radiation increases metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1) and reduces procollagen production in human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. We examined the antioxidant and antiaging effects of the extract and fractions of P. tarminiana fruits. The fractions showed high polyphenol content (620mg EAG/g) and antioxidant activity, as measured by ORAC (4097µmol ET/g) and ABTS (2992µmol ET/g) assays. The aqueous fraction drastically inhibited the collagenase enzyme (IC50 0.43µg/mL). The extract and fractions presented photoprotective effects by reducing UVB-induced MMP-1 production, increasing UVB-inhibited procollagen production, and decreasing ROS production after UVB irradiation in HDF. Finally, the polyphenol contents of the extracts and fractions from P. tarminiana were analyzed by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MSn, and procyanidins and glycosylated flavonoids were identified.

Wound healing activity of Ullucus tuberosus, an Andean tuber crop

Objective: This study was designed to investigate the wound healing activity of aqueous extracts of Ullucus tuberosus (U. tuberosus) using in vitro models. Methods: Lyophilized pulp and acetone extracts of U. tuberosus were produced using ultrasound extraction. The capacity for collagenase activation was evaluated using fluo-rescence detection of the enzymatic activity. Then, the influence of U. tuberosus extracts on cell proliferation, cell migration and synthesis of the extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, metalloproteinase (MMP-1) and pro-collagen was analyzed using human dermal fibroblasts in culture. Results: An increase in collagenase activity of 12%supports the utility of U. tuberosus as an agent for scar treatment. In addition, the extracts showed an increase in the pro-liferation and migration of human dermal fibroblasts and the production of pro-collagen and MMP-1 after treatment with U. tuberosus extracts. The increase in proliferation, migration and pro-collagen levels positively influenced the regeneration of scarless tissue during the proliferation phase, whereas the increase in MMP-1 may have favored the wound healing process during the remodeling and cellular differentiation phases. Conclusion: The results of this study show for first time that U. tuberosus is a promising candidate to support scarless tissue regeneration.

Characterization of polyphenol oxidase from Cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.) fruit.

Cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana) is an exotic fruit highly valued, however it is a very rich source of polyphenol oxidase (PPO). In this study, Cape gooseberry PPO was isolated and biochemically characterized. The enzyme was extracted and purified using acetone and aqueous two-phase systems. The data indicated that PPO had the highest substrate affinity for chlorogenic acid, 4-methylcatechol and catechol. Chlorogenic acid was the most suitable substrate (Km=0.56±0.07 mM and Vmax=53.15±2.03 UPPO mL(-1) min(-1)). The optimal pH values were 5.5 for catechol and 4-methylcatechol and 5.0 for chlorogenic acid. Optimal temperatures were 40°C for catechol, 25°C for 4-methylcatechol and 20°C for chlorogenic acid. In inhibition tests, the most potent inhibitor was found to be ascorbic acid followed by L-cysteine and quercetin. This study shows possible treatments that can be implemented during the processing of Cape gooseberry fruits to prevent browning.

Colombian biodiversity, an opportunity for the strengthening of the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries / La biodiversidad colombiana, una oportunidad para el fortalecimiento de las industrias farmacéutica y cosmética

Colombia, a country privileged by nature, where diversity of climates are created by large altitude gradients which generate a variety of ecosystems and beautiful badlands, punas, mountain forests, dry valleys, high deserts and salt flats; landscapes that have diversity of plants and animals and we are cataloged as one of the countries as the greatest diversity in the world, preceded by Brazil and followed by Indonesia, China and Mexico [1]. We have 28.000 plants and lichens; it is an invaluable heritage that can give to our country competitive advantages in the discovery and development of active ingredients for the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry by sustainable use of our biodiversity.

Influence of cultivar and ripening time on bioactive compounds and antioxidant properties in Cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.).

BACKGROUND: Cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana) is an exotic fruit highly valued for its organoleptic properties and bioactive compounds. Considering that the presence of phenolics and ascorbic acid could contribute to its functional capacity, it is important to investigate the quality parameters, bioactive contents and functional properties with respect to genotype and ripening time. In this study the genotype effect was evaluated in 15 cultivars for two different harvest times. Changes during maturation were recorded in two commercial cultivars within seven levels of maturity. RESULTS: Multivariate statistical analysis suggested that phenolic content and ORAC value were mainly affected by harvest time and that ascorbic acid content and DPPH level were mainly affected by genotype. In addition, acidity, phenolic content, ORAC value and inhibition of LDL oxidation decreased with maturity, but soluble solids content, ascorbic acid content, ß-carotene content and DPPH-scavenging activity were higher in mature fruits. CONCLUSION: The phenolic content, ascorbic acid content and antioxidant properties of Cape gooseberry fruit were strongly affected by cultivar, harvest time and maturity state. Consequently, the harvest time must be scheduled carefully to gain the highest proportion of bioactive compounds according to the specific cultivar and the environment where it is grown.