• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.528-534
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• 2017

Placenta is a special organ that contains many nutrients such as growth factors, minerals, and bioactive peptides. Dipeptides of glycine and leucine are major components of porcine placenta extracts (PPE) that has been used as an alternative of human placenta extracts. In this study, we investigated whether major peptides of PPE, Glycyl-L-Leucine (Gly-Leu), L-Leucyl-Glycine (Leu-Gly), and L-Leucyl-L-Leucine (Leu-Leu), affect skin hydration and elasticity in vitro and in vivo. We found that Gly-Leu and Leu-Gly dipeptides induced the expression of transglutaminase 1 in normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs) whereas Leu-Leu dipeptides did not. Treatment with Gly-Leu or Leu-Gly significantly increased hyaluronan (HA) synthesis in NHEKs and the upregulation of hyaluronan synthase 2 (HAS2) mRNA level was confirmed. In addition, elastase activity was inhibited in NHEKs treated with Gly-Leu or Leu-Gly dipeptides. Oral administration of Gly-Leu or Leu-Gly dipeptides increased skin hydration and elasticity in UVB-irradiated hairless mice. The significant upregulation of HA in UVB-irradiated hairless mice was observed in response to oral administration of Gly-Leu or Leu-Gly. These results suggest that the major dipeptides of porcine placenta, Gly-Leu and Leu-Gly, are potentially active ingredients for skin moisturization formulations.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.109-123
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• 2018

Purpose : In this study, we intended to observe the anti-wrinkle and moisturizing effects of dried pomegranate juice concentration powder (PCP) using in vitro test. Materials and methods : Antioxidant effects of PCP were determined by free radical scavenging capacity (DPPH assay) and the cytotoxicity of PCP was examined in human keratinocyte (HaCaT) and human primary dermal fibroblast-neonatal (HDF) cells. To investigate the moisturizing effect of PCP, hyaluronan synthesis was examined in HaCaT cells. Activity of procollagen production were assessed in HDF cells and elastase inhibition properties of PCP were evaluated in cell free condition, to determine their anti-wrinkle effects. Metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1) activity was also assessed following UVB irradiation, in the current in vitro experiment. Results : No PCP treatment related significant cytotoxic effects were demonstrated against to the both HDF and HaCaT cells. PCP showed favorable free radical scavenging activities in dose-dependent manner. In PCP-treated HaCaT cells, hyaluronan synthesis was non-significantly but markedly increased, and pro-collagen productions were significantly increased in HDF cells, at all three different concentrations (0.25, 0.75 and 1 mg/ml), and elastase inhibitory activities were observed by PCP treatment. A significant decrease in UVB-induced MMP-1 activity was also observed in 1 mg/ml PCP-treated HDF cells as compared to those of UVB-exposed cells. Conclusions : Taken together, these results suggest that PCP has favorable antioxidant, anti-wrinkle and moisturizing effects without meaningful cytotoxicity on HDF and HaCaT cell lines.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.65 no.4
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• pp.405-412
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• 2022

Echinodorus cordifolius (L.) is an aquatic plant in the family Alismataceae. The anti-skin aging activity of E. cordifolius (L.) has not been yet reported. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to prepare 70% ethanol extract (ECEE) from E. cordifolius (L.) and investigate their antioxidant and anti-hyaluronidase activities for confirm the potential of anti-skin aging. ECEE showed good activities of DPPH, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, and hyaluronidase inhibition, with EC₅₀ and IC₅₀ values of 31.4, 300, and 450 ㎍/mL, respectively. ECEE also significantly improved cell viability and inhibited intracellular reactive oxygen species dose-dependently against 1 mM hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress in immortalized human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells). Furthermore, ECEE upregulated hyaluronic acid (HA)-synthesizing enzyme hyaluronan synthase 2 (HAS2) expression level, but downregulated expression level of HA-degrading enzyme hyaluronidase 2, resulting in increased HA production in HaCaT cells. Taken together, these results suggest that ECEE shows antioxidant and anti-hyaluronidase potential and could be a functional cosmetic ingredients for anti-skin aging.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.105-117
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• 2020

Agaricus blazei Murill (Almond mushroom) has many beneficial effects, such as anti-cancer, immuneenhancement, and anti-obesity. Also, its skin benefits have been reported for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and whitening. In order to elucidate these effects, many studies have been conducted. In this study, we reconfirmed the skin efficacy of the extract of the mushrooms mushrooms. The Agaricus blazei extract showed inhibition of melanin synthesis, enhancement of collagen synthesis, and up-regulation of gene expression (hyaluronan syntahase-2, 3 and aquaporin-3) at 100 ㎍/mL. and identified the ingredients from the extract. We further investigated them to find an applicability as cosmetic ingredients. The ingredients were confirmed comparison of their spectroscopic data with literature values. They were identified as being ergosterol (1), 5-dihydroergosterol (2), cerevisterol (3), cerebroside B (4), cerebroside D (5), adenosine (6), and benzoic acid (7). Among these compounds, we evaluated skin efficacy for two cerebrosides and three ergosterol derivatives that have not been reported its efficacy. As a result, 5-dihydroergosterol (2) inhibited melanogenesis in B16F10 and promoted collagen biosynthesis in human dermal fibroblast. In addition, cerevisterol (3), cerebroside B (4), and cerebroside D (5) inhibited NO production in RAW 264.7 cell. In particular, cerebroside D (5) increased the expression of hyaluronan synthase-2 and aquaporin-3 genes in HaCaT. These results suggest that Agaricus blazei extract and isolated compounds can be used as cosmetic ingredients.

• Journal of Marine Life Science
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.58-65
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• 2021

As aging progresses, reactive oxygen species (ROS) reduces skin moisturization and collapses skin barrier function. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of skin moisturizing and skin barrier function enhancement by extracts from halophytes using HaCaT cells. Spartina anglica (S. anglica; SAE) and Calystegia soldanella (C. soldanella; CSE), a kind of halophytes, were collected from Dongmak beach in Incheon, and extracted with 70% ethanol. At the first, we evaluated the cytotoxicity of extracts in HaCaT cell using WST-8 Kit. As a result, the other experiment was conducted by setting the concentration at which the cell viability was 90% or more. SAE and CSE showed high radical scavenging activity through ABTS assay. Expression levels of genes related to skin moisturizing and skin barrier functions, were analyzed by real-time qPCR. As a result, it showed that the expression of aquaporin 3, hyaluronan synthase 2, and transglutaminase 1 was increased by SAE treatment but not changed by CSE. Activation of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 mitogen activated protein kinase was induced by SAE. These results suggest that SAE can be used as functional materials for cosmetics for skin moisturizing and barrier function enhancement.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2020.08a
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• pp.74-74
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• 2020

Skin is continuously exposed to a variety of environmental stresses, including ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UVB is an inherent component of sunlight that crosses the epidermis and reaches the upper dermis, leading to increased oxidative stress, activation of inflammatory response and accumulation of DNA damage among other effects. In the present study, the anti-wrinkle mechanism of Acorus gramineus callus culture supernatant (GB-AGS-PSC) was elucidated in UVB treated HaCaT keratinocytes. GB-AGS-PSC prevented the matrix metalloprotease 1 (MMP-1), elastin, and pro-collagen product and cytotoxicity and SOD inhibition. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed that GB-AGS-PSC-treated cells displayed dose-dependent increase in messenger RNA expression levels of Aquaporin 3 (AQP3), Keratin 1(KRT1), fillagrin, and hyaluronan synthase-2 (HAS 2) and decreased expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase-3, -9, and -13 in UVB treated HaCaT keratinocytes. Additionally, GB-AGS-PSC suppressed TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-8 product for inflammatory responses in UVB treated HaCaT keratinocytes. Therefore, GB-AGS-PSC may be useful as an anti-photoaging resource for the skin.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.550-558
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• 2023

Hair loss is a common condition that can have a negative impact on an individual's quality of life. The severe side effects and the low efficacy of current hair loss medications create unmet needs in the field of hair loss treatment. Hyaluronan and Proteoglycan Link Protein 1 (HAPLN1), one of the components of the extracellular matrix, has been shown to play a role in maintaining its integrity. HAPLN1 was examined for its ability to impact hair growth with less side effects than existing hair loss treatments. HAPLN1 was predominantly expressed in the anagen phase in three stages of the hair growth cycle in mice and promotes the proliferation of human hair matrix cells. Also, recombinant human HAPLN1 (rhHAPLN1) was shown to selectively increase the levels of transforming growth factor-β receptor II in human hair matrix cells. Furthermore, we observed concomitant activation of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway following treatment with rhHAPLN1. Our results indicate that rhHAPLN1 elicits its cell proliferation effect via the TGF-β2-induced ERK1/2 pathway. The prompt entering of the hair follicles into the anagen phase was observed in the rhHAPLN1-treated group, compared to the vehicle-treated group. Insights into the mechanism underlying such hair growth effects of HAPLN1 will provide a novel potential strategy for treating hair loss with much lower side effects than the current treatments.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.281-288
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• 2013

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is one of the major extracellular matrix components in skin. The HA content is reported to decline with age, which may contribute to decrease in skin moisture, wrinkle formation and the decrease in elasticity of the skin. Among the family of HA synthase genes (HAS-1, 2, 3) identified so far, HAS-2 plays crucial roles in the regulation of HA synthesis in human skin fibroblasts. In this study, we elucidated the effects of ferulic acid isolated from Cnidium officinale on HA production. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR and quantitative real-time PCR showed that ferulic acid increased mRNA level of HAS-2 gene and ELISA assay also revealed that ferulic acid increased HA production in human skin fibroblasts. Our study suggests that ferulic acid might prevent age-dependent skin deteriorations such as wrinkles, dryness and elasticity decrease, all of which could be ascribed to the reduction of the HA content in human skin.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.46 no.9
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• pp.558-572
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• 2023

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) will be the third leading cause of death worldwide by 2030. One of its components, emphysema, has been defined as a lung disease that irreversibly damages the lungs' alveoli. Treatment is currently unavailable for emphysema symptoms and complete cure of the disease. Hyaluronan (HA) and proteoglycan link protein 1 (HAPLN1), an HA-binding protein linking HA in the extracellular matrix to stabilize the proteoglycan structure, forms a bulky hydrogel-like aggregate. Studies on the biological role of the full-length HAPLN1, a simple structure-stabilizing protein, are limited. Here, we demonstrated for the first time that treating human alveolar epithelial type 2 cells with recombinant human HAPLN1 (rhHAPLN1) increased TGF-β receptor 1 (TGF-β RI) protein levels, but not TGF-β RII, in a CD44-dependent manner with concurrent enhancement of the phosphorylated Smad3 (p-Smad3), but not p-Smad2, upon TGF-β1 stimulation. Furthermore, rhHAPLN1 significantly increased sirtuins levels (i.e., SIRT1/2/6) without TGF-β1 and inhibited acetylated p300 levels that were increased by TGF-β1. rhHAPLN1 is crucial in regulating cellular senescence, including p53, p21, and p16, and inflammation markers such as p-NF-κB and Nrf2. Both senile emphysema mouse model induced via intraperitoneal rhHAPLN1 injections and porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE)-induced COPD mouse model generated via rhHAPLN1-containing aerosols inhalations showed a significantly potent efficacy in reducing alveolar spaces enlargement. Preclinical trials are underway to investigate the effects of inhaled rhHAPLN1-containing aerosols on several COPD animal models.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.11
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• pp.905-914
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• 2023

To evaluate the effectiveness of the skin barrier improvement of lactic acid (LA) and gluconolactone (GL), the expression of filaggrin, loricrin, hyaluronic acid (HA), hyaluronan syhthase-2 (HAS2), and aquaporine-3 (AQP3) in keratinocytes, and the moisture content and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) by clinical trials were evaluated. The expression levels of filaggrin and locricrin, which are the main factors affecting the proper functioning of skin barrier function, and HA, HAS2, and AQP3, which are skin moisturizing-related proteins measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blotting. The results showed that the expression levels of the factors that decreased by H2O2 treatment were significantly increased by LA, GL, and a mixture of LA and GL at the mRNA and protein levels (p<0.05). The nanoemulsion containing a mixture of LA and GL was prepared using the emulsion inversion method, and the average particle size was 299.9 ± 0.287 nm. After measuring the TEWL of nanoemulsion using Vapometer, it was found that TEWL significantly decreased by 15.53% and 26.73% after two weeks and four weeks of product use, respectively, compared to TEWL before product use (p<0.001). Similarly, the skin moisture content of the nanoemulsion significantly increased by 15.40% and 26.59% after two weeks and four weeks of product use, respectively, compared to skin moisture content before product use (p<0.001). Therefore, the skin barrier function and moisturizing effect of a mixture of LA and GL are shown by increasing the moisture content and decreasing the TEWL by increasing the expression of filaggrin, loricrin, HA, HAS2, and AQP3. This suggests the possibility for the development of functional cosmetic ingredients in the future.