Purification and Identification of Flavonoids from Prunus mume and Its Anti-Photoaging Activities on UVB-Induced Human Keratinocytes

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Th authors studied the anti-photoaging effects of flavonoids from Prunus mume on UVB-induced human keratinocytes. It is well organized study and investigated anti-photoaging effects of flavonoids from Prunus mume. Authors optimized the extraction of flavonoids and identified them in the extract. Further, authors studied biological effects of flavonoids in human keratinocytes. Prunus mume purified product (PMPP) doesn’t have any cytotoxic effects at lower doses and reduced the ROS levels in human keratinocytes. In addition to that, PMPP reduced the MDA and improved the levels of SOD activity, HA secretion and Aquaporins-3 (AQP-3). However, following comments consider.

Minor revision:

1.       Which part of the plant was used for this study. Describe the plant material collection in the methods

2.       In the abstract, HA secretion and Aquaporins-3 (AQP-3) are levels. Not expressions of genes or proteins.

3.       What is the dose of UVB radiation in the treatment with flavonoids. Please mention in the methods

4.       There are typo errors in statistical significance in figure 1 and 5.  Please mention the statistical significance symbols according to legends or figures

5.       Please add some reference studies of anti-photoaging activities to the identified flavonoids, if literature available

 

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Title: Purification and identification of flavonoids from Prunus mume and its anti-photoaging activities on UVB-induced human keratinocutes
Journal: Cosmetics
Manuscript ID: 1524975
Article Type: Article
Review:
The manuscript describes the potential application of flavonoids present in Prunus mume, a landscaping plant with white flowers of ornamental value, widely abundant in the southern basin on the Yangtze River in China. Flavonoids from the plant were extracted by heating reflux method. The crude extract was purified, and then subjected to different analytical methods and in vitro biological assays. Results indicated the potential application of the plant for photo-antiaging cosmetics.

Suggestions and Comments:
1.) Please proofread each line in the entire manuscript concerning English construction, spelling and punctuation for readability and clarity. If possible, utilize a service provided by the Editorial Office.
2.) For the in vitro assays described in 2.6.4-2.6.7, different concentrations of PMCA were not included. Please clarify. The extract was not added into the HaCAT cells. If not, then what is being measured?
3.) Designate the labels A to D in Table S2. Similarly, do the same in Table S3. What is 1-3 in Table S4?
4.) Line 232, does it mean extraction yield? Why extraction rate?
5.) Please rephrase Lines 243-245. Not clear.
6.) Explain why adsorption resin screening is critical: Lines 247-255.
7.) What is BV in Line 276?
8.) Labels in the figures and graphs are blurry. Hopefully, the final version is clearer than the pdf file that I am reading.
9.) Figures 1b and 1d are confusing. Both have the same labels on the x and y axes but the graphs are different. Why?
10.) I do not see any explanation of Fig. S1 in the manuscript.
11.) Include molecular structures of the R groups in Fig. S3.
12.) Please explain the source of HCOOH and Cl in the adduct ions in Table 1.

Recommendations:
Major revisions are needed before publication. Recommendation is to reject the manuscript at this point. Reconsider after submission of the revised version.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Title: Purification and identification of flavonoids from Prunus mume and its anti-photoaging activities on UVB-induced human keratinocytes
Author(s): Liu Y, He M, Wei X, Han Q, Yang X, Huang G, Zhang C, Wu M, Zhang W.
Journal: Cosmetics
Manuscript ID: cosmetics-3338689
Article Type: Article

Review 2:
This is the second review for the revised version of this manuscript describing the potential application of flavonoids present in Prunus mume, a landscaping plant with white flowers of ornamental value, widely abundant in the southern basin on the Yangtze River in China. Flavonoids from the plant were extracted by heating reflux method. The crude extract was purified, and then subjected to different analytical methods and in vitro biological assays. Results indicated the potential application of the plant for photo-antiaging cosmetics.

Suggestions and Comments:
1.) Please clarify Sections 2.2-2.4. What is the sample solution? Are the NaNO2 and Al(NO3)3 aqueous solutions? What was the incubation temperature? What kind of water was used? What is rutin? Where was rutin purchased? Please indicate the exact weight and volume utilized for a representative experiment. What is the material:liquid ratio that was used? How was 2mg/mL PMCE solution measured? Please be specific and clear about the experimental protocol so others can duplicate the experiment.
2.) Please fix Line 263.
3.) Change shaked to was shaken for …..
Recommendations:
Minor revisions are needed before publication.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx