The
skin, the largest organ in the body, undergoes age-related changes influenced by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. The primary external factor is photoaging which causes
hyperpigmentation, uneven
skin surface, deep wrinkles, and markedly enlarged
capillaries. In the
human dermis, it decreases
fibroblast function, resulting in a lack of
collagen structure and also decreases
keratinocyte function, which compromises the strength of the protective
barrier. In this study, we found that
treatment with γ-
aminobutyric acid (
GABA) had no
toxicity to
skin fibroblasts and
GABA enhanced their migration
ability, which can accelerate
skin wound healing. UVB
radiation was found to significantly induce the
production of
matrix metalloproteinase 1 (
MMP-1), but
treatment with
GABA resulted in the inhibition of
MMP-1
production. We also investigated the enhancement of
filaggrin and
aquaporin 3 in
keratinocytes after treatment with
GABA, showing that
GABA can effectively improve
skin moisturization. In vivo experiments showed that
oral administration of
GABA significantly improved
skin wrinkles and epidermal thickness. After the intake of
GABA, there was a significant decrease observed in the increase of
skin thickness measured by calipers and
erythema. Additionally, the decrease in
skin moisture and
elasticity in
hairless mice exposed to UVB
radiation was also significantly restored. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of
GABA as
functional food material for improving
skin aging and moisturizing.