Biological effect of β-(1,3)-polyglucuronic acid sodium salt on lipid storage and adipocytes differentiation.

β-(1,3)-Polyglucuronic acid sodium salt produced by the regioselective oxidation of β-(1,3)-glucan have been studied for its biological impact as putative slimming agent. This β-(1,3)-polyglucuronic acid sodium salt was synthesized using the conventional 2,2,6,6,-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical (TEMPO)/NaBr/NaClO systems at pH 10 and 4°C. A transcriptomical study using DNA microarray analysis, demonstrated that this heparan like sodium salt locally induced an over-expression of the gene Angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4 or fasting induced adipose factor (FIAF)) leading to the increase in Adipokine ANGPTL4 synthesis and the inhibition of Lipoprotein Lipase (LPL).

Surface rejuvenating effect of Achillea millefolium extract.

Proopiomelanocortin is a precursor peptide that gives rise to several neuropeptides including adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and β-endorphin. POMC-derived peptides have been shown to be synthesized in human epidermis where they modulate numerous skin functions. Because we previously observed that melanocortin receptor-2 and μ-opioid receptor 1, the respective receptors for ACTH and β-endorphin decreased with ageing in human epidermis, we have selected an active ingredient (INCI name: Achillea millefolium extract) able to upregulate receptor expressions.

BAGE hypomethylation, a new epigenetic biomarker for colon cancer detection.

Early detection of colorectal cancer is a decisive step in the successful and complete cure of the disease. Epigenetic markers, in particular, those based on aberrant DNA methylation, can be used to diagnose cancer. B melanoma antigens (BAGE) are a family of genes and truncated genes located in the heterochromatic regions of several human chromosomes.