Lycoperoside H, a Tomato Seed Saponin, Improves Epidermal Dehydration by Increasing Ceramide in the Stratum Corneum and Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Effect

Abstract

Tomatoes are widely consumed, however, studies on tomato seeds are limited. In this study, we isolated 11 compounds including saponins and flavonol glycosides from tomato seeds and evaluated their effects on epidermal hydration. Among the isolated compounds, tomato seed saponins (10 µM) significantly increased the mRNA expression of proteins related to epidermal hydration, including filaggrin, involucrin, and enzymes for ceramide synthesis, by 1.32- to 1.91-fold compared with the control in HaCaT cells. Tomato seed saponins (10 µM) also decreased transepidermal water loss by 7 to 13 g/m2·h in the reconstructed human epidermal keratinization (RHEK) models. Quantitative analysis of the ceramide content in the stratum corneum (SC) revealed that lycoperoside H (1–10 µM) is a promising candidate to stimulate ceramide synthesis via the upregulation of ceramide synthase-3, glucosylceramide synthase, and β-glucocerebrosidase, which led to an increase in the total SC ceramides (approximately 1.5-fold) in concert with ceramide (NP) (approximately 2-fold) in the RHEK models. Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects of lycoperoside H demonstrated that lycoperoside H is suggested to act as a partial agonist of the glucocorticoid receptor and exhibits anti-inflammatory effects (10 mg/kg in animal test). These findings indicate that lycoperoside H can improve epidermal dehydration and suppress inflammation by increasing SC ceramide and steroidal anti-inflammatory activity.

Effect of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Ceramides Supplementation on Improving Skin Barrier Functions and Depigmentation: An Open-Label Prospective Study

“…Our results indicated that RC supplementation effectively reduces participants' EI. Although ceramides were known to promote inflammatory responses, new evidence suggests otherwise [54,55]. In vitro study demonstrated that ceramides can effectively reduce the expression of inflammatory enzymes and cytokines, predominantly inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) by inhibiting NF-κB activation [54].…”

Comparative Study on Epidermal Moisturizing Effects and Hydration Mechanisms of Rice-Derived Glucosylceramides and Ceramides

“…Significant increases in TEWL are commonly observed in dry skin diseases, such as AD [30], xerosis, and psoriasis [31]. We previously reported the moisturizing effects of isolated steroidal saponins from tomato seeds and β-sitosterol 3-O-glucoside from rice on TEWL in RHEK models [32]. In the present study, all GlcCer[d18:2(4E,8Z)] (1, 3, 7, 10, and 13) significantly attenuated TEWL, whereas GlcCer[t18:1(8Z)] (2, 5, 9, and 12), GlcCer[d18:2(4E,8E)] (4, 8 and 11), and GlcCer[t18:1(4E)] (6) did not.…”

Lycoperoside H protects against diabetic nephropathy via alteration of gut microbiota and inflammation

“…[21] The seed of the tomato contains a lot of phytoconstituent especially low molecular weight, which is known as steroidal alkaloid saponin. [21,22] Lycoperoside H (LH) is a well-known alkaloidal saponin and active ingredient of tomatoes. [22][23][24] The activity of the LH is similar to the other alkaloidal saponin such as esculeosides and lycoperosides.…”

“…[21,22] Lycoperoside H (LH) is a well-known alkaloidal saponin and active ingredient of tomatoes. [22][23][24] The activity of the LH is similar to the other alkaloidal saponin such as esculeosides and lycoperosides. Saponins already show various biological activities such as wound healing and anti-inflammatory effect.…”

“…Saponins already show various biological activities such as wound healing and anti-inflammatory effect. [21][22][23] Still nephroprotective effect of LH is still unexplored. Due to the antiinflammatory effect, in this experimental study, we make effort to scrutinize the renal protective effect of LH against streptozotocin (STZ)-induced DN rats.…”