Background and objectives: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) overwhelm the antioxidant defense system, induce oxidative stress, and increase matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression, resulting in skin aging. Thus, preventing ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced skin damage can attenuate skin aging. Spirulina (a biomass of cyanobacteria, also called blue-green algae) is comprised of prokaryotes, whereas microalgae are eukaryotes and are rich in phycocyanin, a powerful antioxidant. Materials and Methods: Here, we investigated the photoprotective effects of spirulina-derived C-phycocyanin (C-PC) against UVB radiation using keratinocytes (HaCaT cells). Results: UVB radiation increased MMP-1 and MMP-9 expression but decreased involucrin, filaggrin, and loricrin expression. C-PC showed no toxicity at concentrations of 5–80 μg/mL in terms of HaCaT cell viability. UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells had a 50.8% survival rate, which increased to 80.3% with C-PC treatment. MMP expression increased with UVB treatment, whereas MMP-1 and MMP-9 concentrations decreased with C-PC treatment. UVB reduced involucrin, filaggrin, and loricrin expression in HaCaT cells, but 80 μg/mL C-PC increased their expression by >25%. In the UVB radiation group, dichlorofluorescin diacetate fluorescence intensity in HaCaT cells increased by 81.6% compared with that in the control group, whereas ROS production was reduced by 51.2% and 55.1% upon treatment with 40 and 80 μg/mL C-PC, respectively. Conclusions: C-PC might reduce or prevent skin aging by reducing UVB irradiation-induced skin wrinkles and free radicals.

Purpose: Diquafosol is a pharmaceutical drug used for dry eye treatment with a novel mechanism of action. It is a purinergic P2Y2 receptor agonist that promotes the secretion of tears and healing of corneal epithelial wounds. However, its inhibitory effect on hyperosmotic stress-induced inflammation in human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs) remains unclear. Methods: A hyperosmotic stress model was established by transferring HCECs from isosmotic (312 mOsm/kg to hyperosmotic medium (500 mOsm/kg). HCECs were incubated with 500 mOsm/kg hyperosmotic medium for 30 minutes, and then treated with diquafosol (0.6-6 mg/mL) for 4 or 24 hours. Cells were then harvested and analyzed by western blot, immunocytochemistry, and real-time polymerase chain reaction to evaluate the expression of interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and the phosphorylation status of nuclear factor-kappa B. Results: Diquafosol significantly decreased the mRNA and protein expression of hyperosmotic stress-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6. These results were supported by immunofluorescence staining and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. Furthermore, diquafosol inhibits nuclear factor-kappa B activation by suppressing the phosphorylation and degradation of the inhibitor of кB. Conclusions: This study shows that diquafosol inhibits nuclear factor-kappa B signaling and inflammatory factors induced by hyperosmotic stress in HCECs. This suggests that using diquafosol for the improvement of dry eye syndrome could be effective in the treatment of inflammation-related corneal and conjunctival diseases.

Hair is a dermal adjunctive organ that protects the body from external physical and chemical stimuli; hair undergoes anagen, catagen, and telogen phases, with hair-loss occurring during the telogen phase. Alopecia is a condition wherein a person undergoes hair-loss far exceeding the normal amount, owing to diverse external factors. Wild beans are rich in isoflavone and amino acids known to prevent hair-loss; compared to cultivated beans, many wild bean species have higher protein content. This study aimed to develop a hair growth promoting solution, with superior hair growth promoting effects and fewer side effects, using naturally obtained Glycine soja Siebold et Zucc (GSSZ) extracts. Sevenweek-old C57BL/6N male mice were classified into different experimental groups. Hair growth was observed in GSSZ-treated mice, and compared against that seen in 3 % minoxidil (MXD, positive control)-treated mice. Visual observations revealed a greater reduction in hair-loss in MXD and GSSZ application groups, compared to that in TXN group (hair loss induction using 1 % testosterone). Evaluation using an image analysis software revealed that compared to the positive control, TXN + GSSZ group showed the highest hair growth. TXN + MXD and control groups exhibited similar follicular cell growth, while the hair growth promotion patterns were similar in the negative control (normal), TXN + GSSZ, and TXN groups, as observed via histological analysis. GSSZ did not induce cytotoxicity (even at 2 mg/mL) in keratinocytes and dermal papilla cells; alternately, dermal papilla cell proliferation was activated in a (GSSZ) concentration-dependent manner. Therefore, the GSSZ extract promoted hair growth and increased hair growth-related cell activity, and could therefore be utilized in alopecia treatment.

This research was carried out to systematize and assess the appropriateness of farmer's indigenous knowledge and their adaptive capacity with floods. The research aimed at providing scientific foundation for proposing solutions to conserve and enhance the effectiveness of valuable indigenous knowledge in reducing vulnerability of people living in flooded areas. The results showed that local people are using several effective indigenous knowledge for coping with floods. However, the valuable indigenous knowledge has not recorded yet, nor documented in written materials for sharing to young generation and communities. Besides, some indigenous practices are not suitable in practice which required reevaluation for current flood adaptation strategies. The research suggested some solutions to conserve the most valuable indigenous knowledge for pro-active adaptation of local people in changing climate.

We analyzed the antioxidant and anti-wrinkle effects of Pinus rigida Mill. (pitch pine) to evaluate its use as a cosmetic material. 3-[4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazoliumbromide assay was performed to evaluate the toxicity of the sample. To evaluate the antiwrinkle activity of P. rigida Mill., the amount of type I procollagen and TIMP-1 synthesized was measured, and Western blot analysis and RT-PCR were performed to determine the expression levels of wrinkle-related proteins and genes. To investigate the inhibitory effect of ROS of P. rigida Mill, we conducted experiments to induce oxidative damage by UVB radiation using zebrafish embryos. Cytotoxicity to EtOAc extract (PRE) was measured using the human dermal fibroblast cell line CCD-986sk, and cytotoxicity was not observed below the concentration of 20 μg/mL. PRE has been shown to increase type I procollagen synthesis and promote the expression of its regulator, TIMP-1. In addition, P. rigida Mill. reduced the expression of MMP-1, -2, and -3 in CCD-986sk cells stimulated with UVB among the matrix metalloproteinases found in the dermal layers, which cause collagen reduction. After treatment with P. rigida Mill. extract at various concentrations, fluorescence spectra of ROS levels in the zebrafish embryos induced by UVB showed that fluorescence intensity decreased in a concentration-dependent manner compared with the intensity of the positive control group. Based on these findings, it is considered that P. rigida Mill. has value as a cosmetic material for antioxidant and anti-wrinkle benefits.