More and more research in dermatology and cosmetic science is devoted to the development and application of postbiotic raw materials. In order to explore the anti-photoaging efficacy and application prospect of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens lysate (BAL1) on the skin, we used 16 J/cm2 UVA stimulation of human embryonic fibroblasts (CCC-ESF-1) to establish a UVA photodamage model to investigate the anti-photoaging efficacy of BAL1 and its mechanism of action. In this study, we found that BAL1 activated the transcription of downstream antioxidant enzyme genes mainly by promoting the nuclear displacement of NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) within CCC-ESF-1, thus increasing the antioxidant capacity of antioxidant enzymes to scavenge excessive reactive oxygen species in cells. Meanwhile, BAL1 promoted intracellular TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway and reduced matrix metalloproteinase expression to alleviate the degradation of extracellular matrix. In conclusion, the results of this study demonstrate the potential benefit of BAL1 in protecting the skin against UVA-induced photoaging and highlight the potential of BAL1 in skin photoprotection.

As a probiotic, Weizmannia coagulans (W. coagulans) is often used in food and medicine to regulate intestinal flora and resist specific inflammation. In this study, the anti-acne efficacy and mechanism of YTCY extracellular proteins (YTCY-EPs) from a strain of W. coagulans are analyzed. The main components of YTCY-EPs, extracted and separated from the fermentation broth, are peptides ranging from 1.51–11.44 kDa, accounting for about 80%. Among the peptides identified by LC/MS-MS, YTCY A-F possess the properties of antimicrobial peptides, while YTCY 1–4 possess antioxidative properties. These peptides have a strong effect on Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) and significantly inhibit Staphylococcus aureus. The adhesion of YTCY-EPs has a 50% inhibition rate. It is found that YTCY-EPs possess strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and can reduce the downstream TLR2/NF-κB and MAPKs/AP-1 pathways by regulating the nuclear translocation of NF-κB and AP-1 in vitro. The transcriptional expression of inflammatory cytokines, inflammatory chemokines, and matrix metalloproteinase genes is also regulated, thereby slowing the recruitment of inflammatory cells and the development of inflammation, and increasing keratinocyte mobility. YTCY-EPs can also effectively solve such problems as erythema, papules, cysts, skin lesions, hyperkeratinization, and desquamation caused by C. acnes in rabbit ears. Additionally, the treatment effectively improves the condition of wounds and inflammation. The results of this study prove that YTCY-EPs can be used as a potential anti-acne raw material in cosmetics.

This study investigated the effects of Lactobacillus curvatus fermentation on the oxidative stress attenuating effects of Euryale ferox on H2O2-induced human skin fibroblasts (HSF). The results showed that Lactobacillus curvatus fermentation (i) increases the content of the various bioactive components of Euryale ferox and is found to have smaller molecular weights of polysaccharides and polypeptides; (ii) increases the overall intracellular and extracellular antioxidant capacity of H2O2-induced HSF while reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) all showed simultaneous increases in activity. Aside from that, the Nrf2 and MAPK signaling pathways are activated to regulate downstream-associated proteins such as the Bax/Bcl-2 protein ratio, matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1) activity, and human type I collagen (COL-1). These results suggested that the fermentation of Euryale ferox with Lactobacillus curvatus enhances its antioxidant capacity and attenuates apoptosis and senescence caused by oxidative stress.

Ginkgo biloba (ginkgo) leaves have medicinal value due to their high levels of secondary metabolites, such as flavonoids. We found that the flavonoid content in ginkgo leaves increases significantly at high altitudes (Qinghai-Tibet Plateau). Considering that high UV-B radiation is among the key environmental characteristics of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, we carried out simulated UV-B treatments on ginkgo seedlings and found that the flavonoid content of the leaves increased significantly following the treatments. Combined with results from our previous studies, we determined that the transcription factor GbHY5 may play a key role in responses to UV-B radiation. Overexpression of GbHY5 significantly promoted the accumulation of flavonoids in both ginkgo callus and Arabidopsis thaliana. Furthermore, yeast two-hybrid and real-time quantitative PCR showed that GbHY5 promoted the expression of GbMYB1 by interacting with GbMYB1 protein. Overexpression of GbMYB1 in ginkgo callus and A. thaliana also significantly promoted flavonoid biosynthesis. GbFLS encodes a key enzyme in flavonoid biosynthesis, and its promoter has binding elements of GbHY5 and GbMYB1. A dual-luciferase reporter assay indicated that while GbHY5 and GbMYB1 activated the expression of GbFLS individually, their co-expression achieved greater activation. Our analyses reveal the molecular mechanisms by which the UV-B-induced GbHY5-GbMYB1-GbFLS module promotes flavonoid biosynthesis in ginkgo, and they provide insight into the use of UV-B radiation to enhance the flavonoid content of ginkgo leaves.

Dongcai is loved for its delicious flavor and nutritional value. The microorganisms in Dongcai play a vital role in their flavor, quality, and safety, and the microbial communities of Dongcai vary greatly from region to region. However, it remains unknown what the predominant microorganisms are in different traditional Dongcai and how they affect its flavor. The objective of this study is to explore the microbial diversity of traditional fermented Dongcai in three representative Chinese regions (Tianjin, Sichuan, and Guangzhou) and further assess their microbial functions. The microbial diversity of fermented Dongcai in Guangdong has the lowest diversity compared to fermented Dongcai in Sichuan, which has the highest. The distribution of the main genera of fermented Dongcai varies from region to region, but Carnimonas, Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, Sphingomonas, Burkholderia-Caballeronia-Paraburkholderia, and Rhodococcus are the dominant genera in common. In addition, halophilic bacteria (HAB, i.e., Halomonas Bacillus, Virgibacillus, etc.) and lactic acid bacteria (LAB, i.e., Weissella and Lactobacillus) are also highly abundant. Of these, Burkholderia-Caballeronia-Paraburkholderia, Rhodococcus, Sphingomonas, Ralstonia, and Chromohalobacter are dominant in the Sichuan samples. In the Tianjin samples, Lactobacillus, Weissella, Virgibacillus, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, and Pseudomonas are the most abundant. Predictions of microbial metabolic function reveal that carbohydrates, amino acids, polyketides, lipids, and other secondary metabolites are abundantly available for biosynthesis. In addition, the different flavors of the three types of Dongcai may be due to the fact that the abundance of HAB and LAB shows a significant positive correlation with the amounts of important metabolites (e.g., salt, acid, amino nitrogen, and sugar). These results contribute to our understanding of the link between the distinctive flavors of different types of Dongcai and the microorganisms they contain and will also provide a reference for the relationship between microbial communities and flavor substances in semi-fermented pickles.