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Pharmaceuticals
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Bioactive Substances and Skin Health: The Role of Pharmacy and...
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Bioactive Substances and Skin Health: The Role of Pharmacy and Nutrition—Properties and Technology

A special issue of Pharmaceuticals (ISSN 1424-8247). This special issue belongs to the section "Pharmaceutical Technology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 1 March 2026 | Viewed by 14723

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Francisco Rivas

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Guest Editor
Municipal Health and Consumer Unit, Guadix City Council (Granada), School of Health Sciences, Valencia International University, Valencia, Spain
Interests: bioethics; parenteral nutrition; health education; pharmacy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Margarita López-Viota

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Guest Editor
Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
Interests: pharmacy, pharmaceutical technology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Rafael Jesús Giménez Martínez

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Guest Editor
Department of Nutrition and Bromatology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
Interests: antioxidants; parenteral nutrition; nutrients; food
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Bioactive substances can have therapeutic potential, including the prevention and/or treatment of a disease. The diversity of the chemical structures of bioactive compounds influences their bioavailability and biologic properties. In fact, it has been shown that bioactive substances can provide benefits to the skin, such as increased hydration, reduction in wrinkles, and improvements in elasticity, density, and skin texture, along with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions induced via UV radiation, reduction in the signs of dermatitis, and prevention against some forms of skin cancer. Pharmaceutical and nutritional sciences can join forces to provide a variety of bioactive substances that play an important role in skin health.

This Special Issue aimed to present the advances and studies available on how bioactive substances can be a useful option for skin health.

Dr. Francisco Rivas
Dr. Margarita López-Viota
Dr. Rafael Giménez
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pharmaceuticals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • supplements
  • bioactive substances
  • skin health

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 3686 KiB  
Article
Drug Repurposing of Voglibose, a Diabetes Medication for Skin Health
by Hyeon-Mi Kim and Chang-Gu Hyun
Pharmaceuticals 2025, 18(2), 224; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18020224 - 7 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2424
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Voglibose, an α-glucosidase inhibitor commonly prescribed to manage postprandial hyperglycemia in diabetes mellitus, demonstrates potential for repurposing as an anti-melanogenic agent. This study aims to explore the inhibitory effects of voglibose on melanogenesis and elucidate its molecular mechanisms, highlighting its possible applications [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Voglibose, an α-glucosidase inhibitor commonly prescribed to manage postprandial hyperglycemia in diabetes mellitus, demonstrates potential for repurposing as an anti-melanogenic agent. This study aims to explore the inhibitory effects of voglibose on melanogenesis and elucidate its molecular mechanisms, highlighting its possible applications in treating hyperpigmentation disorders. Methods: The anti-melanogenic effects of voglibose were investigated using B16F10 melanoma cells. Cell viability, melanin content, and tyrosinase activity were assessed following voglibose treatment. Western blot analysis was performed to examine changes in melanogenic proteins and transcription factors. The role of signaling pathways, including PKA/CREB, MAPK, PI3K/AKT, and GSK3β/β-Catenin, was analyzed. Primary human skin irritation tests were conducted to evaluate the topical safety of voglibose. Results: Voglibose significantly reduced melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity in B16F10 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Western blot analysis revealed decreased expression of MITF, TRP-1, and TRP-2, indicating the inhibition of melanogenesis. Voglibose modulated key signaling pathways, including the suppression of PKA/CREB, MAPK, and AKT activation, while restoring GSK3β activity to inhibit β-catenin stabilization. Human skin irritation tests confirmed voglibose’s safety for topical application, showing no adverse reactions at 50 and 100 μM concentrations. Conclusions: Voglibose demonstrates anti-melanogenic properties through the modulation of multiple signaling pathways and the inhibition of melanin biosynthesis. Its safety profile and efficacy suggest its potential as a repurposed drug for managing hyperpigmentation and advancing cosmeceutical applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Substances and Skin Health: The Role of Pharmacy and Nutrition—Properties and Technology)
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13 pages, 2584 KiB  
Article
Antibacterial, Anti-Biofilm, and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Gelatin–Chitosan–Moringa-Biopolymer-Based Wound Dressings towards Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli
by Salma Bessalah, Asim Faraz, Mohamed Dbara, Touhami Khorcheni, Mohamed Hammadi, Daniel Jesuwenu Ajose and Shamsaldeen Ibrahim Saeed
Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17(5), 545; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17050545 - 23 Apr 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3850
Abstract
In contemporary times, the sustained aspiration of bioengineering and biomedical applications is the progressive advancement of materials characterized by biocompatibility and biodegradability. The investigation of the potential applications of polymers as natural and non-hazardous materials has placed significant emphasis on their physicochemical properties. [...] Read more.
In contemporary times, the sustained aspiration of bioengineering and biomedical applications is the progressive advancement of materials characterized by biocompatibility and biodegradability. The investigation of the potential applications of polymers as natural and non-hazardous materials has placed significant emphasis on their physicochemical properties. Thus, this study was designed to investigate the potential of gelatin–chitosan–moringa leaf extract (G–CH–M) as a novel biomaterial for biomedical applications. The wound-dressing G–CH–M biopolymer was synthesized and characterized. The blood haemolysis, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities of the biopolymer were investigated against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacterial isolates. Our results showed that S. aureus swarming motility was drastically affected. However, the biopolymer had no significant effect on the swarming motility of E. coli. In addition, the biopolymer showed high antibacterial capacities, especially against S. aureus. Plasmid DNA was observed to be effectively protected from oxidative stresses by the biopolymer. Furthermore, the biopolymer exhibited greatly suppressed haemolysis (lower than 2%), notwithstanding the elevated concentration of 50 mg/mL. These results indicated that this novel biopolymer formulation could be further developed for wound care and contamination prevention. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Substances and Skin Health: The Role of Pharmacy and Nutrition—Properties and Technology)
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Review

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18 pages, 517 KiB  
Review
Bioactive Substances and Skin Health: An Integrative Review from a Pharmacy and Nutrition Perspective
by Rafael Jesús Giménez Martínez, Francisco Rivas García, Joan Carles March Cerdá, Ángela Hernández-Ruíz, Martha Irene González Castro, María-Isabel Valverde-Merino, Felipe José Huertas Camarasa, Fuensanta Lloris Meseguer and Margarita López-Viota Gallardo
Pharmaceuticals 2025, 18(3), 373; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18030373 - 6 Mar 2025
Viewed by 1708
Abstract
The skin is one of the largest and most important organs of our body. There are numerous factors that are related to skin health, including lifestyle factors, nutrition, or skin care. Bioactive substances from plant and marine extracts play a key role in [...] Read more.
The skin is one of the largest and most important organs of our body. There are numerous factors that are related to skin health, including lifestyle factors, nutrition, or skin care. Bioactive substances from plant and marine extracts play a key role in skin health. The aim of this research was to compile the main evidence on skin and bioactive substances. An integrative review was performed, reporting the main findings according to PRISMA (2020). Thirteen search equations were developed. After the applications of the equations and the process of screening and selection of articles, 95 references were compiled. The main results related to bioactive compounds were classified into food-derived components, nutraceuticals, symbiotics, active substances of marine origin, and substances from plant extracts). There are several factors that indicate that the use of bioactive compounds are interesting for skin health, highlighting some dietary nutrients, substances obtained from plant extracts and metabolites of marine origin that, showing anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects, are related to the improvement of some skin conditions or are active principles for cosmetics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Substances and Skin Health: The Role of Pharmacy and Nutrition—Properties and Technology)
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36 pages, 4971 KiB  
Review
Coffea arabica: An Emerging Active Ingredient in Dermato-Cosmetic Applications
by Grațiana Ruse, Alex-Robert Jîjie, Elena-Alina Moacă, Dalia Pătrașcu, Florina Ardelean, Alina-Arabela Jojic, Simona Ardelean and Diana-Simona Tchiakpe-Antal
Pharmaceuticals 2025, 18(2), 171; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18020171 - 27 Jan 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 5681
Abstract
Background: Coffea arabica, commonly known as Arabica coffee, has garnered attention in recent years for its potential applications in dermato-cosmetic formulations. This review aims to critically evaluate the emerging role of Coffea arabica as an active ingredient in skin care products, [...] Read more.
Background: Coffea arabica, commonly known as Arabica coffee, has garnered attention in recent years for its potential applications in dermato-cosmetic formulations. This review aims to critically evaluate the emerging role of Coffea arabica as an active ingredient in skin care products, focusing on its bioactive compounds derived from both the leaves and beans, mechanisms of action, and efficacy in dermatological applications. A comparative analysis between the bioactive profiles of the leaves and beans is also presented to elucidate their respective contributions to dermato-cosmetic efficacy. Results: This review synthesizes findings from various studies that highlight the presence of key bioactive compounds in Coffea arabica, including caffeine, chlorogenic acids, and flavonoids. Notably, the leaves exhibit a higher concentration of certain phenolic compounds compared to the beans, suggesting unique properties that may enhance skin health. These compounds have demonstrated significant anticellulite, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, photoprotective, anti-aging, antibacterial, and moisturizing properties. Discussion: This article delves into the biochemical pathways through which bioactive compounds derived from both the leaves and beans of Coffea arabica exert their beneficial effects on skin and hair health. Furthermore, this review highlights the growing trend of incorporating natural ingredients in cosmetic formulations and the consumer demand for products with scientifically substantiated benefits. Conclusions: The findings of this review underscore the potential of Coffea arabica as a valuable active ingredient in dermato-cosmetic applications. Its multifaceted bioactivity suggests that it can contribute significantly to skin health and cosmetic efficacy. Future research should focus on clinical trials to further validate these benefits and explore optimal formulation strategies for enhanced delivery and stability in cosmetic products. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Substances and Skin Health: The Role of Pharmacy and Nutrition—Properties and Technology)
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