Search Results (324)

Background: Cutaneous microcirculation is crucial for skin appearance and rejuvenation, influencing color, luminosity and texture. Aging reduces microcirculation and alters skin color parameters. This study investigated the long-term effects of intradermal CellBooster^® Lift (CBL), a mechanically stabilized hyaluronic acid complex enriched with amino acids and vitamins, on skin microcirculation, color, and aesthetics in healthy adults. This study was registered at clinicaltrial.gov (NCT06000839). Methods: 36 women and 4 men aged 35–55 received three intradermal injections of 3 mL CBL across the face at two-week intervals. Cutaneous microcirculation was assessed using a PeriFlux 5000^® laser Doppler system at 7 and 84 days post-treatment. Skin color parameters, including lightness (L*), redness (a*), yellow-blue component (b*), individual typology angle (ITA°), individual whitening angle (IWA°), color homogeneity (H76), saturation, and luminance-saturation ratio, were analyzed using Visia^® CR 2D imaging. Aesthetic improvement was evaluated by both participants and medical practitioners using the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS). Results: At 84 days post-treatment, CBL significantly enhanced cutaneous microcirculation and induced favorable changes in all measured skin color parameters: L*, ITA°, IWA°, and luminance-saturation ratio increased, while a*, b*, H76, and saturation decreased in women, but no changes were seen in men. No significant differences were observed between female age groups. On the GAIS, approximately 70–73% of participants reported improvement or significant improvement, while medical practitioners rated improvement in up to 93% of cases. Conclusions: Intradermal CBL administration improves cutaneous microcirculation and skin color characteristics, contributing to a more youthful appearance in adults aged 35–55, with consistent effects across age groups and high subjective and clinical aesthetic ratings. Full article

Heavy metal ion pollution has emerged as a global issue. These contaminants are not only present in water sources but are also commonly detected in air, soil, food, and consumer products, posing serious risks to ecosystems and human health. Even at very low concentrations, heavy metal ions can exhibit substantial toxicity. Traditional methods for the detection of heavy metal ions typically require complex laboratory equipment and specialized technicians, making them inadequate for rapid on-site monitoring. Microfluidic technology, as an innovative platform capable of precisely controlling and manipulating minute volumes of fluid, has demonstrated enormous potential in analytical chemistry, biomedicine, and environmental monitoring. In the rapidly developing field of microfluidics, paper-based microfluidic platforms have become prominent due to their low cost, straightforward fabrication, and eco-friendly nature, offering powerful tools for the detection of heavy metal ions in diverse samples. This survey consolidates the major advances reported from 2015 to 2025 in utilizing paper-based microfluidic systems for identifying heavy metal ion pollutants in diverse sample types, including air, explosive residues, water sources, herbal supplements, skin-whitening cosmetics, environmental aerosols, urine, soil, gunshot residues, cucumber plants, and food. The review analyzes in detail the principles and applications of detection strategies based on colorimetric methods, fluorescent methods, electrochemical methods, dual-detection systems, and other methods, as well as the role of nanomaterials and selective recognition elements in improving detection sensitivity and specificity. These portable, low-cost, and easy-to-operate detection systems provide viable solutions for environmental and public health monitoring, particularly suitable for resource-limited regions and scenarios requiring rapid detection. Full article

Background/Objectives: Dioscorea batatas Decne (yam), which contains various bioactive compounds, has been utilized in the cosmetics industry, while most of the peel of D. batatas (DBP) is discarded without further use. Recent studies have shown that DBP contains higher levels of bioactive substances than the rhizome flesh. The aim of this study was to evaluate the skin biological activities of DBP extracts obtained using 70% ethanol (70% EtOH DBP), 95% ethanol (95% EtOH DBP), and ethyl acetate (EA DBP), with particular attention to their antioxidant-associated protective effects. Methods: Skin-related bioactivities of DBP extracts prepared using ultrasonic extraction were evaluated using in vitro tyrosinase and matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) assays, alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-induced melanogenesis in B16F10 cells, ultraviolet B (UVB)-irradiated HaCaT viability assays, and Western blot analysis of pro-collagen type I alpha 1(Pro-COL1A1) and MMP-1 in HDF cells. In addition, the ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activities of DBP extracts and representative DBP derivatives were assessed. Results: DBP extracts inhibited tyrosinase activity in vitro and reduced melanogenesis in B16F10 cells. DBP extracts also protected skin cells from UVB by increasing the viability of UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells. In UVB-irradiated HDF cells, DBP extracts restored Pro-COL1A1 expression and suppressed MMP-1 levels. Additionally, DBP extracts inhibited MMP-1 activity in a concentration-dependent manner. The DBP extracts themselves exhibited ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activities, with EA DBP showing the highest vitamin C equivalent antioxidant capacity among the tested extracts. Representative DBP-derived phenanthrene compounds also showed radical scavenging activities, supporting the antioxidant potential of peel-derived phytochemicals. Conclusions: These findings indicate that DBP extracts possess skin-whitening and anti-photoaging effects and suggest that these protective activities may be associated with the antioxidant potential of both DBP extracts and DBP derivatives. Full article

Background: Baeckea frutescens L. (BF) has been reported as a potential natural source for skin-whitening agents. However, its antimelanogenic activity and mechanisms remain unclear. Methods: The antimelanogenic effects of BF were evaluated in α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-stimulated B16F10 cells and in zebrafish embryos. Cell viability, intracellular tyrosinase activity and melanin content were measured. Western blot (WB) analysis was used to examine melanogenesis-related proteins. Network pharmacology and molecular docking were performed to predict potential targets and interactions of BF-derived metabolites. Results: The ethanolic extract of BF reduced intracellular tyrosinase activity and melanin content in cells without cytotoxicity. Western blot analysis showed decreased expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and its downstream melanogenic enzymes, including tyrosinase (TYR), tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TRP-1), and dopachrome tautomerase (DCT). In addition, BF reduced phosphorylation of protein kinase A (PKA), cAMP responsive element-binding protein (CREB) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), suggesting potential suppression of PKA/CREB and ERK signaling pathways. These regulatory effects may contribute to MITF downregulation and subsequent inhibition of melanogenesis. BF reduced melanin accumulation in zebrafish embryos. Network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses further suggested that BF-derived metabolites, particularly bayogenin, may interact with multiple melanogenesis-related targets. Conclusions: BF may inhibit melanogenesis through coordinated modulation of multiple signaling pathways and may represent a promising skin-whitening candidate. Full article

Elaeocarpus sylvestris (Lour.) Poir., an evergreen tree native to East and Southeast Asia, has gained increasing scientific attention owing to its broad pharmacological properties. Traditionally used in East Asian medicine to treat inflammation, fever, and infectious diseases, modern research has revealed diverse bioactivities, including potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anticancer, antidiabetic, and immunomodulatory effects. This therapeutic potential is primarily attributed to its rich phytochemical composition, particularly polyphenols such as geraniin, 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose and quercetin. This review particularly focuses on the chemistry of E. sylvestris, summarizing structurally elucidated compounds, including hydrolysable tannins, flavonoids, and triterpenoids, along with recent insights into the structure–activity relationships that underpin these antiviral, antioxidant, and anticancer activities. Recent studies have demonstrated substantial antiviral efficacy of E. sylvestris extracts and isolated compounds against major human pathogens, including herpesviruses, influenza A virus, and SARS-CoV-2, supported by in silico, in vitro, in vivo, and early-phase clinical evaluations. Its cosmeceutical applications, including antioxidant, skin-whitening, and blue-light protective effects, further highlight its multifunctional potential. To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive review summarizing the phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, therapeutic potential, and cosmeceutical applications of E. sylvestris. Despite these promising findings, challenges remain in elucidating precise molecular mechanisms, pharmacokinetics, and clinical validation. This review identifies current research gaps and future directions necessary to advance E. sylvestris as a scientifically validated natural therapeutic resource. Full article

Skin-whitening products (SWPs) are widely used, yet many contain prohibited or misdeclared depigmenting agents posing safety concerns. This study developed and validated a sensitive and reliable HPLC-DAD method for the simultaneous determination of hydroquinone (HQ), salicylic acid (SAL), and niacinamide (NIC) in commercial and homemade SWPs. Validation followed ICH Q2(R1), demonstrating good specificity, linearity (R² > 0.9999), method precision (%RSD < 2%), and LOD/LOQ values of 0.2 and 0.7 µg/mL for all analytes. Recoveries of 97.48–99.83% for HQ, 99.37–101.26% for NIC, and 83.04–95.38% for SAL were also obtained. Analysis of 51 products revealed major discrepancies between declared and measured contents. HQ was detected in 18.60% of commercial samples despite its prohibition in OTC cosmetic formulations; none of the SAL-containing products matched their labels, and NIC appeared in 25.58% of samples, with only one sample compliant with its declared content. Homemade products showed undeclared HQ in 62.50% of samples, 25% of samples exceeded the 2% permitted SAL limit, and unregulated multi-ingredient combinations. Risk assessment showed all HQ-containing commercial products and several homemade formulations posed unacceptable systemic exposure risks (MoS < 100). Overall, the proposed method provides a practical and accessible approach for routine quality control and market surveillance of cosmetic products. Full article

As primary producers in aquatic ecosystems, microalgae function not only as a natural source of nourishment for several economically important aquatic species but also as reservoirs of bioactive molecules. Microalgae can secrete exosome-like nanoparticles that transport functional biomolecules, such as proteins and nucleic acids, into the extracellular milieu, thereby mediating intercellular signaling and eliciting ecological or biomedical responses. Although plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles have attracted attention for their utility in drug delivery and dermatology, the functional properties of microalgae-derived nanoparticles—particularly from species extensively applied in aquaculture—remain inadequately characterized. In this study, exosome-like nanovesicles were isolated from Nannochloropsis oculata (N-ELNs), a microalgal species widely used in aquaculture, and their skin-whitening potential was evaluated using the B16-F10 mouse melanoma cell model. The highest N-ELN yield was observed during the adaptation, exponential, and stationary growth phases. Uptake analyses confirmed the efficient internalization of N-ELNs by B16-F10 cells. Cell counting kit-8 assays indicated that N-ELNs exhibited no cytotoxic effects on melanoma cells or normal human dermal fibroblasts (HFF-1). Scratch wound healing assays revealed that N-ELNs exerted no significant effect on cellular migration. In B16-F10 cells, N-ELNs suppressed tyrosinase activity by downregulating Mitf and its downstream genes Tyr and Tyrp1, resulting in a substantial reduction in melanin synthesis (p < 0.05). The inhibitory effects of N-ELNs on melanin production, tyrosinase activity, and gene expression of Tyr, Tyrp1, and Mitf were comparable to those of the positive control, arbutin. Collectively, these findings suggest that N. oculata exhibits promising skin-whitening properties, providing a novel perspective for clinical applications and supporting the high-value utilization of the microalgae aquaculture industry. Full article

The edible tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews) flowers are rich in bioactive components with potential health benefits, but the skin-health-promoting effects of their protein hydrolysates remain understudied. The present research sought to evaluate the antioxidant, anti-wrinkle, moisturizing, and whitening properties of tree peony flower protein hydrolysate (TPFP). TPFP was prepared via enzymatic hydrolysis and ultrafiltration, and its peptide sequences were identified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), revealing 54 unique small-molecule peptides with an average amino acid length of 8.2 residues and a molecular weight of 914.51 Da. In vitro safety evaluation using CCK-8 assay showed TPFP (20–100 μM) did not induce substantial cytotoxic effects in either HaCaT keratinocytes or B16F10 melanoma cell lines. Functional assays demonstrated that TPFP dose-dependently inhibited UVB-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction and restored superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities in HaCaT cells, exerting antioxidant effects. Additionally, TPFP protected pro-collagen I from UVB-induced loss, suppressed the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1), and restored hyaluronic acid (HA) content, showing anti-wrinkle and moisturizing potentials. In α-MSH-stimulated B16F10 cells, TPFP suppressed melanin synthesis by downregulating the protein expression of tyrosinase (TYR), tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-1), and TRP-2, achieving a whitening effect. These findings indicate that TPFP possesses comprehensive skin-health-promoting activities with good biocompatibility, highlighting its potential as a natural functional ingredient in cosmetics and functional foods. Full article

Melanin accumulation is the primary cause of skin hyperpigmentation, and most existing cosmetic agents address this process by inhibiting melanogenesis. In contrast, strategies that directly decolorize or degrade melanin remain largely unexplored. In this study, we report a novel biobased cosmetic ingredient derived from onion (Allium cepa) associated endophytic fungi that exhibits direct melanin decolorization alongside skin-whitening and anti-aging activities. Endophytic fungi were isolated from onion tissues, and aqueous extracts were prepared to ensure cosmetic-grade compatibility. Preliminary screening demonstrated exceptional melanin-reducing capacity among the isolates, with a maximum reduction of 97.83%, highlighting their strong melanin degrading potential. A selected isolate, identified as Aspergillus brasiliensis (ACL05), was further investigated to elucidate the influence of sterilization methods on bioactivity. The autoclaved culture filtrate retained substantial melanin-reducing activity (62.85%), whereas ultrasonication-based cell inactivation resulted in significantly lower activity (32.54%), indicating that heat-stable extracellular metabolites are primarily responsible for melanin decolorization. A cosmetic essence formulated using the sterile ACL05 extract achieved a measurable melanin decolorization of 15.39%, demonstrating formulation feasibility and functional efficacy. Beyond melanin decolorization, the ACL05 extract exhibited multifunctional anti-aging properties, including inhibitory activities against tyrosinase, collagenase, and elastase, as well as significant antioxidant capacity as determined by the DPPH assay. Collectively, these findings reveal, for the first time, the potential of onion-derived endophytic Aspergillus brasiliensis as a sustainable source of multifunctional cosmetic bioactives. This work introduces a new paradigm for skin-whitening based on direct melanin decolorization while simultaneously addressing skin aging, supporting the development of next-generation biobased cosmetic ingredients. Full article

New diarylheptene polyphenols with α-glucosidase inhibitory activity were previously isolated and reported from the aquatic plant Ottelia acuminata var. acuminata. It was used as the template in the present research, and a series of 1,3-bisbenzylphenylphenolic compounds were designed and synthesized. The tyrosinase, α-glucosidase inhibitory effects, antioxidant properties, and whitening effects of these compounds were investigated. Of them, the representative compounds 1 and 2 inhibited the two target enzymes (tyrosinase and α-glucosidase) engaged in skin whitening and aging with comparable IC₅₀ values to the reference drugs as well as antioxidant activities. They showed potent whitening efficacy in zebrafish. In particular, compound 1 had whitening-effect rates of 31% at a concentration of 0.0001% (m/m), and 52% at a concentration of 0.0002% (m/m). Both compounds had more superior whitening efficacy than the commercially available whitening agent phenylethylresorcinol (377), which was used as a positive control. Compounds 1 and 2 did not show any genotoxicity and skin phototoxicity at the test concentrations, and they show promise as new skin-whitening agents. Full article

Collagen-derived peptides are widely studied for their potential roles in skin health and anti-aging. This study applied response surface methodology to optimize the enzymatic hydrolysis of porcine skin-derived collagen oligopeptides (PCOPs) and investigate the associations between peptide characteristics and their cellular effects. The optimized hydrolysis conditions were a solid-to-liquid ratio of 1:2, 52.3 °C, 0.9% enzyme dosage, and pH 7.0. The resulting PCOPs contained 85.77% peptides with molecular weight < 1000 daltons (Da) and 9.68% hydroxyproline. In vitro, 5 mg/mL PCOPs reduced hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced fibroblast senescence by 39.66% and significantly (p < 0.05) reduced tyrosinase activity and melanin synthesis in melanoma cells (B16). Peptidomic profiling identified 52 peptides mainly derived from type I collagen, enriched in Pro-Gly motifs. Circular dichroism analysis indicated that PCOPs primarily consisted of β-sheets (35.3%) and random coils (38.9%). These results suggest that low molecular weight, high hydroxyproline content, Pro-Gly-enriched peptides, and the predominance of β-sheet/random coil structures are associated with the observed cellular effects on fibroblast function and melanogenesis. Full article

In recent years, active monomers derived from Chinese herbal medicine and their derivatives have attracted significant attention in the field of skincare product development. Artemisinin and its derivatives, including dihydroartemisinin (DHA), exhibit diverse pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, immunomodulatory, and antitumor effects, showing promising therapeutic potential in skin-related diseases. However, systematic studies on artemisinins in cosmetics are lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the cosmetic potential of DHA by investigating its anti-aging, anti-hair loss, antibacterial, whitening, and anti-glycation activities. Results showed that DHA exhibits multiple biological activities: DHA exhibits anti-aging activity by promoting collagen I synthesis in HDF cell, exhibits anti-hair loss effect by modulating VEGF and DKK1 expression in DPC cell, exhibits antibacterial activity against Malassezia furfur, exhibits whitening activity by suppressing melanin synthesis, and exhibits anti-glycation activity by suppressing glycation reactions. Overall, with the broad biological activities, we believe that DHA holds encouraging promise in the cosmetics industry. Full article

Resveratrone is a novel compound that was inadvertently discovered by photo-conversion of natural compound resveratrol. Although resveratrol, a representative antioxidant and anti-aging compound, is widely used to promote human health, the benefits of resveratrone have been little studied and remain largely unknown. Since resveratrone has a completely different molecular structure from resveratrol, it has a high possibility of possessing different effects to resveratrol. In this study, the various effects of resveratrone on skin health were revealed, including outstanding antioxidants, whitening, anti-wrinkle, skin regeneration, anti-acne, and so on. Moreover, resveratrone has been confirmed to be an excellent ingredient for skin health because it shows higher performance than resveratrol in most areas. Full article

The liquid egg processing industry generates a significant amount of solid byproduct known as chalaza (CHA), which is rich in sialic acid and exhibits notable biological activity. In this study, the preparation process, N-glycan profile, and skin-whitening activity of CHA-derived glycopeptides (CHAH) were investigated. By comparing the hydrolysis efficiency of trypsin, alcalase, and papain, a dual-enzyme hydrolysis strategy was developed: initial hydrolysis with 1.5% trypsin for 3 h, followed by treatment with 1% papain for 2 h. The resulting CHAH exhibited both a high hydrolysis yield and strong antioxidant activity. The sialic acid content in CHAH reached 1.96% (w/w), and 14 distinct N-glycan chain structures were identified. The whitening effect of CHAH was assessed using a combined approach involving an in vitro B16 cell model and an in vivo zebrafish model. CHAH was found to inhibit tyrosinase activity and reduce melanin production in a concentration-dependent manner. Mechanistic studies revealed that CHAH acts by significantly downregulating the expression of key genes involved in melanin synthesis, including MITF, TYR, TYRP1, and TYRP2. This study establishes an efficient preparation method for CHAH, elucidates its skin-whitening efficacy and underlying mechanism, and provides experimental support for the potential industrial application of CHAH as an active ingredient in skincare products. Full article

With the aging global population, interest in skin aging and skin health products is increasing. Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. (lotus) has been widely used for its pharmacological benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, skin-whitening, and anti-aging properties. In this study, we aimed to develop a safe and biologically active extract by extracting lotus flowers with hot water, followed by sequential fractionation using porous resin chromatography with stepwise ethanol elution (100% water and 30%, 70%, and 100% ethanol). The 30% and 70% ethanol fractions showed the highest total polyphenol and flavonoid contents. Liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–mass spectrometry analysis identified major flavonoids, including myricetin and quercetin derivatives, in these fractions. These fractions were combined to formulate a novel Nelumbo nucifera flower extract (NFE), which exhibited potent antioxidant activity confirmed by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and ferric reducing antioxidant power assays. NFE significantly inhibited nitric oxide and prostaglandin E₂ secretion in lipopolysaccharide-activated murine RAW264.7 macrophages. In human keratinocytes HaCaT cells, NFE reduced tumor necrosis factor-α-induced expression and secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 without cytotoxicity. These findings demonstrate that NFE has strong in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, supporting its potential as a bioactive ingredient for application in improving skin health preparations. Full article