In Vitro Anti-Photoaging and Skin Protective Effects of Licania macrocarpa Cuatrec Methanol Extract

Abstract

The Licania genus has been used in the treatment of dysentery, diabetes, inflammation, and diarrhea in South America. Of these plants, the strong anti-inflammatory activity of Licania macrocarpa Cuatrec (Chrysobalanaceae) has been reported previously. However, the beneficial activities of this plant on skin health have remained unclear. This study explores the protective activity of a methanol extract (50–100 μg/mL) in the aerial parts of L. macrocarpa Cuatrec (Lm-ME) and its mechanism, in terms of its moisturizing/hydration factors, skin wrinkles, UV radiation-induced cell damage, and radical generation (using RT/real-time PCR, carbazole assays, flowcytometry, DPPH/ABTS, and immunoblotting analysis). The anti-pigmentation role of Lm-ME was also tested by measuring levels of melanin, melanogenesis-related genes, and pigmentation-regulatory proteins. Lm-ME decreased UVB-irradiated death in HaCaT cells by suppressing apoptosis and inhibited matrix metalloproteinases 1/2 (MMP1/2) expression by enhancing the activity of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38. It was confirmed that Lm-ME displayed strong antioxidative activity. Lm-ME upregulated the expression of hyaluronan synthases-2/3 (HAS-2/3) and transglutaminase-1 (TGM-1), as well as secreted levels of hyaluronic acid (HA) via p38 and JNK activation. This extract also significantly inhibited the production of hyaluronidase (Hyal)-1, -2, and -4. Lm-ME reduced the melanin expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase, and tyrosinase-related protein-1/2 (TYRP-1/2) in α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-treated B16F10 cells via the reduction of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and p38 activation. These results suggest that Lm-ME plays a role in skin protection through antioxidative, moisturizing, cytoprotective, and skin-lightening properties, and may become a new and promising cosmetic product beneficial for the skin.

Protective Function of Malus baccata (L.) Borkh Methanol Extract against UVB/Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Skin Aging via Inhibition of MAPK and NF-κB Signaling

“…Therefore, the degradation of ECM caused by aging is alleviated by Mb-ME, and skin elasticity is improved. Meanwhile, as reported, UVB activates the generation of inflammatory mediators, leading to an increase in chronic inflammation and inflammatory aging [37]. This is verified by comparing the aforementioned to HaCaT cells without UVB treatment (Figure 2B,C).…”

Comparison of five retinoids for anti‐photoaging therapy: Evaluation of anti‐inflammatory and anti‐oxidative activities in vitro and therapeutic efficacy in vivo

“…HA is a dominant moisturizing macromolecule in the skin, with distribution in both dermis and epidermis. 24 When encountering UVB exposure, epidermal and dermal cells of human skin produce and secrete a certain amount of HA as a natural anti-photoaging response. The UVB irradiation increased the production of HA by 3T3 cells (Figure 4C).…”

A Comprehensive Quality Analysis of Different Colors of Medicinal and Edible Honeysuckle

“…In modern clinical practice, honeysuckle has several medicinal benefits, such as the treatment of arthritis, diabetes mellitus, fever, infections, sores, and swelling [ 2 , 3 ]. Pharmacological studies have shown that extracts of honeysuckle have a broad spectrum of biological activity, including antioxidant [ 4 , 5 ], antibacterial [ 6 ], anti-inflammatory [ 7 ], antiphotoaging [ 8 ], antinociceptive [ 9 ], antiangiogenic [ 10 ], antipyretic [ 11 ], antiviral [ 12 , 13 ], and hepatoprotective effects [ 14 ]. A number of chemical components with diverse structures, such as iridoids, flavonoids, saponins, polyphenols, and cerebrosides, have been isolated from this TCM [ 15 ].…”