Algal Lipids as Modulators of Skin Disease: A Critical Review

Abstract

The prevalence of inflammatory skin diseases continues to increase with a high incidence in children and adults. These diseases are triggered by environmental factors, such as UV radiation, certain chemical compounds, infectious agents, and in some cases, people with a genetic predisposition. The pathophysiology of inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis or atopic dermatitis, but also of skin cancers, is the result of the activation of inflammation-related metabolic pathways and the overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines observed in in vitro and in vivo studies. Inflammatory skin diseases are also associated with oxidative stress, overproduction of ROS, and impaired antioxidant defense, which affects the metabolism of immune cells and skin cells (keratinocytes and fibroblasts) in systemic and skin disorders. Lipids from algae have been scarcely applied to modulate skin diseases, but they are well known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents. They have shown scavenging activities and can modulate redox homeostasis enzymes. They can also downmodulate key inflammatory signaling pathways and transcription factors such as NF-κB, decreasing the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators. Thus, the exploitation of algae lipids as therapeutical agents for the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases is highly attractive, being critically reviewed in the present work.

Total Phenolic Content, Biomass Composition, and Antioxidant Activity of Selected Marine Microalgal Species with Potential as Aquaculture Feed

“…Microalgal carotenoids such as astaxanthin and fucoxanthin, which are important for the pigmentation and health of farmed fish [ 2 , 3 ], can also modulate important metabolic pathways such as NAAA-PEA and Nrf2-ARE [ 4 , 5 ]. The lipid fraction of many microalgal species is rich in unsaturated fatty acids, which apart from very important nutritional value can have a variety of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities [ 6 ]. Apart from pigments and lipids, other microalgal biomolecules such as phenolics, flavonoids, sterols, and tocopherols have been the subject of many recent studies due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties [ 7 , 8 , 9 ].…”

Mapping the Polar Lipidome of Macroalgae using LC‐MS‐Based Approaches for Add‐Value Applications

“…Gly extracts of algae can be used as natural additives in skin care products to ameliorate these diseases as reviewed by Conde et al. [ 25 ]…”

“…[123] Many diseases have been described to be associated with inflammatory processes, for instance, several skin diseases are inflammation-mediated disorders, such as atopic dermatitis. Gly extracts of algae can be used as natural additives in skin care products to ameliorate these diseases as reviewed by Conde et al [25]…”

“…[ 23,24 ] Also, only few studies addressed the biological potential of macroalgae lipids, reporting bioactive properties such as anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant but mostly based on total lipid extracts. [ 14,25,26 ]…”

“…[23,24] Also, only few studies addressed the biological potential of macroalgae lipids, reporting bioactive properties such as antiinflammatory and antioxidant but mostly based on total lipid extracts. [14,25,26] Thus, this review addresses the major classes of lipids and lipid signatures found in macroalgae as well as the current knowledge about their distribution by phylum and species. Additionally, this review discusses the bioactivity of polar lipids from macroalgae highlighting the putative relation structure-activity, and their exploitation in biotechnological applications of algaebased products as food, cosmetics, and pharmacological ingredients, encompassing compounds with potential to improve human and/or animal health.…”