Edible Bird’s Nest, an Asian Health Food Supplement, Possesses Moisturizing Effect by Regulating Expression of Filaggrin in Skin Keratinocyte

Abstract

Edible bird’s nest (EBN) has been consumed as a Chinese delicacy for hundreds of years; the functions of which have been proposed to prevent lung disease, strengthen immune response, and restore skin youthfulness. To support the skin function of EBN, the water extract and the enzymatic digest of EBN with enriched digested peptides were tested in cultured keratinocyte, HaCaT cell line. The effects of EBN extract and digest in inducing proteins crucial for skin moisturizing were determined in both in vitro and ex vivo models. In cultured keratinocytes, the expressions of S100-fused type proteins contributing to skin barrier function in the stratum corneum, e.g. filaggrin and filaggrin-2, were determined in both mRNA and protein levels, which were markedly induced in the treatment of EBN extract or digest. The EBN-induced gene transcriptions of filaggrin and filaggrin-2 were mediated by activation of p38 MAPK pathway and various transcription factors, e.g. GATA3, PPARα, PPARβ, and PPARγ: these transcriptional factors were markedly activated by the digested products of EBN, as compared to the extract, in cultured keratinocytes. By using atomic force microscopy (AFM), the EBN-treated keratinocyte was shown to have more liquid-like morphology, as compared to a control cell. The EBN digest showed better induction on these moisturizing effects as compared to the extract. These lines of evidence therefore suggested the water moisturizing effect of EBN in skin function.

Edible bird’s nest, an Asian health food supplement, possesses anti-inflammatory responses in restoring the symptoms of atopic dermatitis: An analysis of signaling cascades

“…The lyophilized powder was considered as EBN extract. To prepare the digested EBN, the dried EBN extract was weighed and digested with 1 : 100 (w/v) simulated gastric fluid (SGF; without enzyme; containing 0.07 M hydrochloric acid and 0.1 M sodium chloride) and 7.6% (w/w) pepsin (from porcine gastric mucosa lyophilized powder, ≥ 2,500 units/mg protein) (Sigma-Aldrich, St Louis, MO) for 48 h at 37°C for complete digestion, as described before ( Lai et al, 2021 ). After 48 h, the enzymatic digestion was terminated by neutralizing by 0.7 M sodium hydroxide solution.…”

“…EBN has been known to strengthen respiratory system and to promote skin function. Besides, the intake of EBN leads to enhancement of immunity, alleviation of asthma, and improvement of skin complexion ( Chye et al, 2017 ), anti-aging and promotion of wound-healing ( Hwang et al, 2020 ), restoration of skin lightness ( Chan et al, 2015 ), and facilitation of skin moisturization ( Lai et al, 2021 ). EBN contains a rich source of proteins, providing glycoproteins and 16 types of essential amino acids ( Halimi et al, 2015 ).…”

“…EBN contains a rich source of proteins, providing glycoproteins and 16 types of essential amino acids ( Halimi et al, 2015 ). The protein content in EBN is over 50% by weight, existing in macromolecule(s) that is not pharmacological useful as a skin-care product, due to limited bioavailability or skin penetration ( Chan et al, 2015 ; Lai et al, 2021 ). Indeed, methods have been developed to maximize the extracting efficiency of protein/peptide, as well as the specific form of sialic acid, N-acetyl neuraminic acid (NANA), from EBN ( Wong et al, 2018a ).…”

Capsaicin, a Phytochemical From Chili Pepper, Alleviates the Ultraviolet Irradiation-Induced Decline of Collagen in Dermal Fibroblast via Blocking the Generation of Reactive Oxygen Species

“…The DNA construct pARE-Luc containing four antioxidant response elements (ARE; 5′-TGA nnn GCA-3′) and a downstream luciferase-reporter gene was used. Cultured fibroblasts were transfected using jetPRIME reagent (Polyplus Transfection, New York, NY), as described ( Lai et al, 2021 ). The pARE-Luc transfected cells were pre-treated with capsaicin for 30 min, followed by exposure to UVB irradiation.…”

Anti-Wrinkle Efficacy of Edible Bird’s Nest Extract: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Comparative Study

“…Herein, we have provided a different evidence to reveal the signaling pathway of EBN extract and its regulation of the expressions of filaggrin and filaggrin-2, two important skin barrier proteins of the SFTP family playing roles in water balance of the skin surface. The EBN-mediated regulation of filaggrin and filaggrin-2 is demonstrated to be triggered by the p38-MAPK signaling pathway and various transcriptional factors, for example, GATA3, PPARα, PPARβ, and PPARγ ( Lai et al, 2021 ).Therefore, we conducted this clinical trial to explore the effect of EBN on improving skin wrinkles, elasticity, moisture, and whitening to obtain evidence of the extract as a functional material for skin health.…”