Blackcurrant Anthocyanins Increase the Levels of Collagen, Elastin, and Hyaluronic Acid in Human Skin Fibroblasts and Ovariectomized Rats

Abstract

Blackcurrants (Ribes nigrum L.) contain high levels of anthocyanin polyphenols, which have beneficial effects on health, owing to their antioxidant and anticarcinogenic properties. Phytoestrogens are plant-derived substances with estrogenic activity, which could have beneficial effects on the skin. Estradiol secretion decreases during menopause, reducing extracellular matrix (ECM) component production by skin fibroblasts. Using a normal human female skin fibroblast cell line (TIG113) and ovariectomized rats, the present study investigated whether an anthocyanin-rich blackcurrant extract (BCE) and four blackcurrant anthocyanins have novel phytoestrogenic activities that could benefit the skin in menopausal women. In TIG113 cells, a microarray and the Ingenuity® Pathway Analysis showed that 1.0 μg/mL of BCE upregulated the expression of many estrogen signaling-related genes. A quantitative RT-PCR analysis confirmed that BCE (1.0 or 10.0 μg/mL) and four types of anthocyanins (10 μM) altered the mRNA expression of ECM proteins and enzymes involved in ECM turnover. Immunofluorescence staining indicated that the anthocyanins stimulated the expression of ECM proteins, such as collagen (types I and III) and elastin. Dietary administration of 3% BCE to ovariectomized rats for 3 months increased skin levels of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid. This is the first study to show that blackcurrant phytoestrogens have beneficial effects on skin experimental models.

Agastache rugosa Kuntze Attenuates UVB-Induced Photoaging in Hairless Mice through the Regulation of MAPK/AP-1 and TGF-��/ Smad Pathways

“…Consistently, a mixture of plant oils including A. rugosa alleviated the atopic dermatitis-induced skin barrier damage [19]. In addition, as a natural moisturizing factor, HA, which is one of the abundant molecules in the dermis, plays an important role in retaining moisture levels [20]. Thus, the level of HA, which depends on three different HAS isoforms is a representative element of skin moisture [13].…”

An Anthocyanin-Enriched Extract from Vaccinium uliginosum Improves Signs of Skin Aging in UVB-Induced Photodamage

“…MMP expression induced by UVB exposure contributes to the skin wrinkle formation by promoting the degradation of ECM, including collagen fibers [26]. An anthocyanin-rich extract has phytoestrogenic activities and is known to upregulate the expression of collagen and elastin [10]. In addition, various studies to address the above problems have shown that dietary supplements containing vitamins, antioxidants, collagen peptides, and pre-and probiotics have positive effects on skin elasticity [27][28][29].…”

Blackcurrants (Ribes nigrum): A Review on Chemistry, Processing, and Health Benefits

“…These results are promising in that they suggest BC and BCE have the potential to be used as therapies for the treatment of ophthalmological diseases. It was reported by Nanashima et al (2018) that treatments with BCE increased collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid in human skin fibroblasts and ovariectomized rats. This study used normal human female skin fibroblast cells (TIG113), OVX female Sprague-Dawley rats (12 weeks old) that had their ovaries removed to simulate menopausal women, and sham surgery rats (Nanashima et al, 2018).…”

“…Results from this study indicated that TIG113 cells that were exposed to BCE had similar effects to TIG113 cells that have been exposed to estradiol. The results from the OVX rat study indicated that the thickness of the collagen was significantly greater in those treated with 3% BCE (1,156 ± 36 µm) and in sham rats (845 ± 36 µm) (Nanashima et al., ). Therefore, it was made evident that BCE, particularly the four major compounds (D3G, D3R, C3G, and C3R) in BCE, produce phytoestrogen effects, which are favorable for the skin (Table ).…”

“…() that treatments with BCE increased collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid in human skin fibroblasts and ovariectomized rats. This study used normal human female skin fibroblast cells (TIG113), OVX female Sprague–Dawley rats (12 weeks old) that had their ovaries removed to simulate menopausal women, and sham surgery rats (Nanashima et al., ). The TIG113 cells were treated with BCE with 1.0 µg/mL for microarray gene expression profiling and either 1.0 µg/mL or 10.0 µg/mL for reverse phase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) assays.…”