Novel Approach to Skin Anti-Aging: Boosting Pharmacological Effects of Exogenous Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD) by Synergistic Inhibition of CD38 Expression.

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is indispensable for the regulation of biological metabolism. Previous studies have revealed its role in aging and degenerative diseases, while crucially showing that supplementation with NAD or its precursors could ameliorate or reverse the progression of aging. Despite extensive evidence for the role and action of NAD in aging, its pharmacological activity on the skin, or even its mechanism, has not been elucidated.

Modulating Expression as a Promising Approach to Enhance Skin Brightness and Reduce Dark Spots.

The oculocutaneous albinism II () gene encodes a melanosomal transmembrane protein involved in melanogenesis. Recent genome-wide association studies have identified several single nucleotide polymorphisms within genes that are involved in skin pigmentation. Nevertheless, there have been no attempts to modulate this gene to improve skin discoloration.

Dihydroavenanthramide D Enhances Skin Barrier Function through Upregulation of Epidermal Tight Junction Expression.

Skin barrier dysfunction and thin epidermis are hallmarks of sensitive skin and contribute to premature aging. Avenanthramides are the primary bioactive components of colloidal oatmeal, a commonly used treatment to enhance skin barrier function. This study investigated the relationship between skin barrier function and epidermal characteristics and explored the potential of dihydroavenanthramide D (dhAvD), a synthetic avenanthramide, to improve the skin barrier.

Efficacy of Modulation-Mediated Materials in Ameliorating Facial Wrinkles and Pore Sagging.

Skin aging is a complex process with internal and external factors. Recent studies have suggested that enlargement and elongation of skin pores may be early signs of aging in addition to wrinkles and loss of elasticity. This study explores the potential of targeting the gene in keratinocytes to address these emerging concerns.

Efficacy of Vitamin B12 and Adenosine Triphosphate in Enhancing Skin Radiance: Unveiled with a Drug-Target Interaction Deep Learning-Based Model.

Skin radiance is crucial for enhancing facial attractiveness and is negatively affected by factors like hyperpigmentation and aging-related changes. Current treatments often lack comprehensive solutions for improving skin radiance. This study aimed to develop a cosmetic formula that enhances skin radiance by reducing hyperpigmentation and improving skin regeneration by targeting specific receptors-the endothelin receptor type B (EDNRB) for hyperpigmentation and the adiponectin receptor 1 (ADIPOR1) for sagging and wrinkles.

Taurine and Polyphenol Complex Repaired Epidermal Keratinocyte Wounds by Regulating IL8 and TIMP2 Expression.

The healing process after acne lesion extraction provides a miniature model to study skin wound repair mechanisms. In this study, we aimed to identify solutions for acne scars that frequently occur on our faces. We performed acne scar cytokine profiling and found that Interleukin 8 (IL8) and Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 2 (TIMP2) were significant factors at the wounded site.

Improvement in Facial Wrinkles Using Materials Enhancing Expression Related to Mitochondrial Function.

Skin aging is an unavoidable natural phenomenon caused by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. In modern society, the pursuit of a wrinkle-free and aesthetically appealing face has gained considerable prominence. Numerous studies have aimed at mitigating the appearance of facial wrinkles.

Formulation of Ascorbic Acid and Betaine-based Therapeutic Deep Eutectic System for Enhanced Transdermal Delivery of Ascorbic Acid.

L-ascorbic acid (AA), a potent antioxidant, is commonly used topically in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic fields. However, the incorporation of AA into topical formulations is difficult because of its highly unstable nature and relatively poor skin permeability. In this study, we propose an alternative strategy for improving the solubility and topical delivery of AA through its conversion to a therapeutic deep eutectic system (THEDES).

Fine Wrinkle Improvement through Bioactive Materials That Modulate and Gene Expression.

Skin aging is a multifaceted biological phenomenon influenced by a combination of intrinsic or extrinsic factors. There is an increasing interest in anti-aging materials including components that improve skin wrinkles. Despite the availability of several such wrinkle-improving materials, the demand for ingredients with outstanding efficacy is increasing.

Enhancement of Efficacy of Retinoids through Enhancing Retinoid-Induced RAR Activity and Inhibiting Hydroxylation of Retinoic Acid, and Its Clinical Efficacy on Photo-Aging.

Retinoids, one of the most robust bioactive materials, have been widely used to improve various dermatological and pathological conditions. The body has an endogenous mechanism that modulates the exogenous retinoid above physiological concentrations, which limits the bioavailability or pharmacological efficacy of retinoids. Considering that most retinoids trigger extensive irritation in users, it is necessary to enhance the pharmacological efficacy of retinoids, thereby achieving a higher efficacy at a lower dosage.

Activation of crosslinked lipases in mesoporous silica via lid opening for recyclable biodiesel production.

Lipases catalyze a wide range of industrially important reactions, including the transesterification of triglycerides with alcohols for biodiesel production, and the stabilization of lipases are critical to achieve their recycled uses. Here, nanoscale enzyme reactor (NER) of lipase from Rhizopus oryzae (LP) was prepared via a simple two-step process, comprising of enzyme adsorption into magnetically-separable mesoporous silica and follow-up crosslinking of adsorbed enzymes. In aqueous phase, the specific hydrolysis activity of NER-LP was 4.

Sugar-Triggered Burst Drug Releasing Poly-Lactic Acid (PLA) Microneedles and Its Fabrication Based on Solvent-Casting Approach.

Microneedles have emerged as a novel transdermal delivery tool that enables the delivery of various products such as drugs, vaccines, or cosmetic ingredients. Although the demand for solid microneedles composed of biocompatible polymer is increasing, the manufacture of microneedles using poly-lactic acid (PLA) with rapid drug-releasing is yet to be established and the process is still in its infancy. Here, we propose a novel strategy for the fabrication of PLA solid microneedles which enable a drug to be burst-released based on a solvent-casting process.

Anti-Irritant Strategy against Retinol Based on the Genetic Analysis of Korean Population: A Genetically Guided Top-Down Approach.

Retinol, one of the most powerful cosmetic materials for anti-aging supported by a solid scientific background, exhibits a wide range of type and severity of irritation while showing limited user compliance. The lack of understanding of the mechanism of retinol-induced irritation has been the main hurdle in the development of anti-irritation strategies. Here, we identified 30 genetic markers related to the susceptibility to retinol-induced irritation in the Korean population.

Synthesis of Retinol-Loaded Lipid Nanocarrier via Vacuum Emulsification to Improve Topical Skin Delivery.

Retinol has been widely used as an anti-wrinkle active ingredient in cosmetic fields. However, the oxidation of retinol by air was one of the critical problems for application in the skincare field. In this study, Retinol-loaded lipid nanocarriers were prepared via the vacuum emulsification method to increase the stability of retinol vulnerable to air and optimized encapsulation conditions and to increase the penetration efficiency into skin.

A Semi-Dissolving Microneedle Patch Incorporating TEMPO-Oxidized Bacterial Cellulose Nanofibers for Enhanced Transdermal Delivery.

Although dissolving microneedles have garnered considerable attention as transdermal delivery tools, insufficient drug loading remains a challenge owing to their small dimension. Herein, we report a one-step process of synthesizing semi-dissolving microneedle (SDMN) patches that enable effective transdermal drug delivery without loading drugs themselves by introducing TEMPO-oxidized bacterial cellulose nanofibers (TOBCNs), which are well dispersed, while retaining their unique properties in the aqueous phase. The SDMN patch fabricated by the micro-molding of a TOBCN/hydrophilic biopolymer mixture had a two-layer structure comprising a water-soluble needle layer and a TOBCN-containing insoluble backing layer.

Stabilized and Immobilized Carbonic Anhydrase on Electrospun Nanofibers for Enzymatic CO Conversion and Utilization in Expedited Microalgal Growth.

Carbonic anhydrases convert CO to bicarbonate at a high turnover rate up to 10 s, but their actual applications in CO conversion processes are hampered by their poor stability. This study reports highly loaded and stabilized bovine carbonic anhydrase (bCA) upon being immobilized onto electrospun polymer nanofibers in the form of enzyme precipitate coating (EPC). The EPC protocol, consisting of enzyme covalent attachment, precipitation, and cross-linking, maintained 65.

One-Pot Method of Synthesizing TEMPO-Oxidized Bacterial Cellulose Nanofibers Using Immobilized TEMPO for Skincare Applications.

In the skincare field, water-dispersed bacterial cellulose nanofibers synthesized via an oxidation reaction using 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidine-N-oxy radical (TEMPO) as a catalyst are promising bio-based polymers for engineered green materials because of their unique properties when applied to the surface of the skin, such as a high tensile strength, high water-holding capacity, and ability to block harmful substances. However, the conventional method of synthesizing TEMPO-oxidized bacterial cellulose nanofibers (TOCNs) is difficult to scale due to limitations in the centrifuge equipment when treating large amounts of reactant. To address this, we propose a one-pot TOCN synthesis method involving TEMPO immobilized on silica beads that employs simple filtration instead of centrifugation after the oxidation reaction.

One-pot enzymatic conversion of carbon dioxide and utilization for improved microbial growth.

We developed a process for one-pot CO2 conversion and utilization based on simple conversion of CO2 to bicarbonate at ambient temperature with no energy input, by using the cross-linking-based composites of carboxylated polyaniline nanofibers (cPANFs) and carbonic anhydrase. Carbonic anhydrase was immobilized on cPANFs via the approach of magnetically separable enzyme precipitate coatings (Mag-EPC), which consists of covalent enzyme attachment, enzyme precipitation, and cross-linking with amine-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles. Mag-EPC showed a half-life of 236 days under shaking, even resistance to 70% ethanol sterilization, and recyclability via facile magnetic separation.

Single step isolation and activation of primary CD3+ T lymphocytes using alcohol-dispersed electrospun magnetic nanofibers.

Electrospun polymer nanofibers with entrapped magnetic nanoparticles (magnetic NP-NF) represent a novel scaffold substrate that can be functionalized for single-step isolation and activation of specific lymphocyte subsets. Using a surface-embedded T cell receptor ligand/trigger (anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody), we demonstrate, as proof of principle, the use of magnetic NP-NF to specifically isolate, enrich, and activate CD3(+) T cells from a heterogeneous cell mixture, leading to preferential expansion of CD8(+)CD3(+) T cells. The large surface area, adjustable antibody density, and embedded paramagnetic properties of the NP-NF permitted enhanced activation and expansion; its use represents a strategy that is amenable to an efficient selection process for adoptive cellular therapy as well as for the isolation of other cellular subsets for downstream translational applications.

Enzyme precipitate coatings of lipase on polymer nanofibers.

Lipase (LP) was immobilized on electrospun and ethanol-dispersed polystyrene-poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride) (PS-PSMA) nanofibers (EtOH-NF) in the form of enzyme precipitate coatings (EPCs). LP precipitate coatings (EPCs-LP) were prepared in a three-step process, consisting of covalent attachment, LP precipitation, and crosslinking of precipitated LPs onto the covalently attached LPs via glutaraldehyde treatment. The LP precipitation was performed by adding various concentrations of ammonium sulfate (20-50%, w/v).

Trypsin coatings on electrospun and alcohol-dispersed polymer nanofibers for a trypsin digestion column.

The construction of a trypsin column for rapid and efficient protein digestion in proteomics is described. Electrospun and alcohol-dispersed polymer nanofibers were used for the fabrication of highly stable trypsin coatings, which were prepared by a two-step process of covalent attachment and enzyme cross-linking. In a comparative study with the trypsin coatings on as-spun and nondispersed nanofibers, it has been observed that a simple step of alcohol dispersion improved not only the enzyme loading but also the performance of protein digestion.

Robust trypsin coating on electrospun polymer nanofibers in rigorous conditions and its uses for protein digestion.

An efficient protein digestion in proteomic analysis requires the stabilization of proteases such as trypsin. In the present work, trypsin was stabilized in the form of enzyme coating on electrospun polymer nanofibers (EC-TR), which crosslinks additional trypsin molecules onto covalently attached trypsin (CA-TR). EC-TR showed better stability than CA-TR in rigorous conditions, such as at high temperatures of 40 and 50°C, in the presence of organic co-solvents, and at various pH's.