Ulva intestinalis Protein Extracts Promote In Vitro Collagen and Hyaluronic Acid Production by Human Dermal Fibroblasts

Abstract

With the increase in life expectancy, reducing the visible signs of skin aging has become a major issue. A reduction in collagen and hyaluronic acid synthesis by fibroblasts is a feature of skin aging. The green seaweed, Ulva intestinalis, is an abundant and rich source of nutrients, especially proteins and peptides. The aim of this study was to assess the potential cosmetic properties of a protein fraction from Ulva intestinalis (PROT-1) containing 51% of proteins and 22% of polysaccharides, and its enzymatic peptide hydrolysates on human dermal fibroblasts. PROT-1 was extracted using a patented acid- and solvent-free process (FR2998894 (B1)). The biochemical characterization and chromatographic analysis showed a main set of proteins (25 kDa). To demonstrate the anti-aging potential of PROT-1, fibroblast proliferation and collagen and hyaluronic acid production were assessed on fibroblast cell lines from donors aged 20 years (CCD-1059Sk) and 46 years (CCD-1090Sk). PROT-1 induced a significant increase in collagen and hyaluronic acid production per cell, and a reduction in cell proliferation without increasing cell mortality. These effects were reversed after protein hydrolysis of PROT-1, showing the central role of proteins in this promising anti-aging property.

Poly- and Oligosaccharide Ulva sp. Fractions from Enzyme-Assisted Extraction Modulate the Metabolism of Extracellular Matrix in Human Skin Fibroblasts: Potential in Anti-Aging Dermo-Cosmetic Applications

“…These results are in accordance with work of Kidgell et al (2020) where higher molecular weight ulvan fractions elicited a greater biological activity (immunomodulatory response) compared to lower M w ulvan fractions [ 44 ]. These results are also in agreement with work of Bodin et al (2020), since enzymatic hydrolyzed proteins from Ulva intestinalis did not stimulate ECM material biosynthesis (collagen and hyaluronic acid) [ 39 ].…”

“…Nevertheless, the authors should not neglect that polysaccharide ulvans from the Ulva sp. cell wall are closely linked to proteins, which are also known to promote in vitro total collagen and hyaluronic acid production in human dermal fibroblasts [ 39 ]. Thus, the authors suggest that these activities could be related to a synergy between ulvans and proteins, even though the focus is made on ulvans in this manuscript.…”

“…Previous studies have shown that the molecular weight of bioactive compounds such as polysaccharide or protein appears to be a key factor for its effect on fibroblast proliferation and ECM modulation [ 37 , 39 , 47 ]. In our study, polysaccharide fractions, UE and DS-UE, with high molecular weights (M w > 670 kDa) increased fibroblast proliferation.…”

“…For now, only a few studies have investigated the effect of Ulva sp. fractions on fibroblast skin cells metabolism at both proteomic and transcriptomic levels [ 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 ] and, to date, no complete study at the proteomic and transcriptomic level was conducted from Ulva poly- and oligosaccharide fractions derived from the EAE process. In this perspective, this study investigates, in vitro, the effects of poly- and oligosaccharide fractions from Ulva sp.…”

Effects of Ulva sp. Extracts on the Growth, Biofilm Production, and Virulence of Skin Bacteria Microbiota: Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Cutibacterium acnes Strains

“…fractions (10.5–16.8%), which suggests a potential influence of the protein/peptide content, amino acid composition, and even partial protein hydrolysis due to depolymerization treatments for Ulva sp. fractions production in modulation of the biological activities, as previously observed in fibroblasts [ 74 ].…”