Protective Effect of the Aqueous Extract of Deschampsia antarctica (EDAFENCE®) on Skin Cells against Blue Light Emitted from Digital Devices.

Skin is being increasingly exposed to artificial blue light due to the extensive use of electronic devices. This, together with recent observations reporting that blue light-also known as high-energy visible light-can exert cytotoxic effects associated with oxidative stress and promote hyperpigmentation, has sparked interest in blue light and its potential harmful effects on skin. The photoprotective properties of new extracts of different botanicals with antioxidant activity are therefore being studied. Deschampsia antarctica (Edafence®, EDA), a natural aqueous extract, has shown keratinocyte and fibroblast cell protection effects against ultraviolet radiation and dioxin toxicity. In this regard, we studied the protective capacity of EDA against the deleterious effects of artificial blue light irradiation in human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) and melanocytes. We analyzed the impact of EDA on viability, cell morphology, oxidative stress, melanogenic signaling pathway activation and hyperpigmentation in HDF and melanocytes subjected to artificial blue light irradiation. Our results show that EDA protects against cell damage caused by artificial blue light, decreasing oxidative stress, melanogenic signaling pathway activation and hyperpigmentation caused by blue light irradiation. All these findings suggest that EDA might help prevent skin damage produced by artificial blue light exposure from screen of electronic devices.

Efficacy of an Antiaging Treatment Against Environmental Factors: Deschampsia antarctica Extract and High-tolerance Retinoids Combination.

Background. Effects of environmental contaminents, such as air pollution and cigarette smoking on skin include increased oxidation, subclinical inflammation, and degradation of the dermal matrix, which can accelerate the skin aging process. Objective. An open-label, prospective study was conducted to assess the efficacy and tolerability of a topical anti-aging regimen comprising high-concentration retinoids, Deschampsia antarctica extract, and niacinamide in participants living in a heavily polluted (Level III, World Health Organization) city. Methods. Twenty-two female Caucasian volunteers with Fitzpatrick Skin Types III and IV were treated for 90 days with the topical anti-aging regimen. Subjective clinical assessments using the Rao-Goldman Scoring for Facial Aging, Patient's Global Assessment (PGA), and Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA). Additionally, objective instrumental assessments for wrinkles using Visia® (Canfield Scientific, Parsippany, New Jersey) and Visioline® (Courage+Khazaka Electronic GmbH, Cologne, Germany) and viscoelasticity and firmness using Cutometer® (Courage+Khazaka Electronic GmbH ) were completed at baseline, Day 30, and Day 90. Results. At Day 30, wrinkles in the periocular area significantly improved by 35.7 percent (p=0.003) compared to baseline. At the end of the study (Day 90), a significant improvement in firmness (41.7%) and viscoelasticity (12.8%) were observed. Tolerance for treatment was assessed as "good" or "very good" in 86.5 percent of the volunteers. Conclusion. This novel antiaging treatment regimen could potentially serve as an effective and long-term topical treatment option for improving signs of facial aging and protecting the skin from external factors associated with acceleration of the skin aging process, such exposure to UV radiation, air pollution, and cigarette smoke. Larger and longer-term, randomized, controlled clinical trials in more diverse population samples are needed to confirm our results.

Environmental Stressors on Skin Aging. Mechanistic Insights.

The skin is the main barrier that protects us against environmental stressors (physical, chemical, and biological). These stressors, combined with internal factors, are responsible for cutaneous aging. Furthermore, they negatively affect the skin and increase the risk of cutaneous diseases, particularly skin cancer. This review addresses the impact of environmental stressors on skin aging, especially those related to general and specific external factors (lifestyle, occupation, pollutants, and light exposure). More specifically, we have evaluated ambient air pollution, household air pollutants from non-combustion sources, and exposure to light (ultraviolet radiation and blue and red light). We approach the molecular pathways involved in skin aging and pathology as a result of exposure to these external environmental stressors. Finally, we reflect on how components of environmental stress can interact with ultraviolet radiation to cause cell damage and the critical importance of knowing the mechanisms to develop new therapies to maintain the skin without damage in old age and to repair its diseases.

Extract of Deschampsia antarctica (EDA) Prevents Dermal Cell Damage Induced by UV Radiation and 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin.

Exposure to natural and artificial light and environmental pollutants are the main factors that challenge skin homeostasis, promoting aging or even different forms of skin cancer through a variety of mechanisms that include accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), engagement of DNA damage responses, and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling upon release of metalloproteases (MMPs). Ultraviolet A radiation is the predominant component of sunlight causative of photoaging, while ultraviolet B light is considered a potentiator of photoaging. In addition, different chemicals contribute to skin aging upon penetration through skin barrier disruption or hair follicles, aryl hydrocarbon receptors (AhR) being a major effector mechanism through which toxicity is exerted. Deschampsia antarctica is a polyextremophile Gramineae capable of thriving under extreme environmental conditions. Its aqueous extract (EDA) exhibits anti- photoaging in human skin cells, such as inhibition of MMPs, directly associated with extrinsic aging. EDA prevents cellular damage, attenuating stress responses such as autophagy and reducing cellular death induced by UV. We demonstrate that EDA also protects from dioxin-induced nuclear translocation of AhR and increases the production of loricrin, a marker of homeostasis in differentiated keratinocytes. Thus, our observations suggest a potential use exploiting EDA's protective properties in skin health supplements.

New Cosmetic Formulation for the Treatment of Mild to Moderate Infantile Atopic Dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic cutaneous inflammatory disorder, characterized by skin barrier disruption. Dermacare is a new cosmetic formulation, which enhances moisturization, reinforces and repairs the skin barrier, and prevents cutaneous microbiota imbalance. To demonstrate its safety and efficacy, a prospective, open-label, and multicenter study was carried out on patients diagnosed with mild to moderate AD. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL), clinical severity, Desquamation Index, Patient/Investigator Global Assessments, quality of life index, and tolerance were assessed. Adverse events were recorded. Daily application of the new treatment was well tolerated, and adverse events were absent. After 14 days, TEWL showed a 36.7% significant decrease (p = 0.035). At the end of the 28-day treatment, the Desquamation Index showed a reduction in 70% of patients; Eczema Area and Severity Index were reduced by 70.4% (p = 0.002); and skin irritation showed a significant reduction (p = 0.024). Likewise, Patient and Investigator Global Assessments reported a significant improvement in conditions and an overall global worsening when patients restarted their normal treatment. Parent's Index of Quality of Life Index significantly increased by 36.4% (p < 0.05) with Dermacare. In conclusion, a regular use of this new formulation can reduce the risk of relapse and extend the steroid-free treatment periods.

Halobellus ramosii sp. nov., an extremely halophilic archaeon isolated from a saline-wetland wildfowl reserve.

An extremely halophilic archaeon, strain S2FP14T, was isolated from a brine sample from the inland hypersaline lake Fuente de Piedra, a saline-wetland wildfowl reserve located in the province of Málaga in southern Spain. Colonies were red-pigmented and the cells were Gram-staining-negative, motile and pleomorphic. S2FP14T was able to grow in media containing 12.5-30 % (w/v) total salts (optimum 20 %) at pH 7-8.5 (optimum 7.5) and at 25-50 °C (optimum 37 °C). The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that this strain represented a member of the genus Halobellus. S2FP14T showed a similarity of 99.5 % to Halobellus inordinatus YC20T, 96.1 % to Halobellus litoreus GX31T, 95.9 % to Halobellus limi TBN53T, 95.5 % to Halobellus rarus YC21T, 95.2 % to Halobellus rufus CBA1103T, 94.6 % to Halobellus salinus CSW2.24.4T and 94.6 % to Halobellus clavatus TNN18T. The rpoB' gene sequence similarity of strain S2FP14T was 97.4 % to 87.6 % with members of genus Halobellus. The major phospholipids of strain S2FP14T were phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester and phosphatidylglycerosulfate, plus a very small amount of phosphatidylglycerol and an archaeal analogue of bisphosphatidylglycerol. With regard to glycolipid composition, the most abundant glycolipids were the sulfated diglycosyl diphytanilglyceroldiether and a glycosyl-cardiolipin. The G+C content of strain S2FP14T genomic DNA was 61.4 mol%. The DNA-DNA hybridization between strain S2FP14T and Halobellus inordinatus JCM 18361T was 51 %. Based on the phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic features, a novel species, Halobellus ramosii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is S2FP14T ( = CECT 8167T = DSM 26177T).

Deciphering archaeal glycolipids of an extremely halophilic archaeon of the genus Halobellus by MALDI-TOF/MS.

Polar membrane lipids of an archaeal microorganism recently isolated from the natural salt lake Fuente de Piedra (Málaga, Spain) have been studied by means of TLC in combination with MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The major phospholipids are the ether lipids phosphatidylglycerophosphate methyl ester and phosphatidylglycerosulfate, while phosphatidylglycerol is barely detectable; in addition the bisphosphatidylglycerol (archaeal cardiolipin) has been detected for the first time in a representative of the genus Halobellus. The structures of glycolipids, including a glycosyl-cardiolipin, have been elucidated by post source decay (PSD) mass spectrometry analysis. Besides the monosulfated diglycosyl diphytanylglyceroldiether, two variants of a bis-sulfated diglycosyl diphytanylglyceroldiether have been identified; furthermore the glycosyl-cardiolipin is found to have the same structure of the analogue present in Halorubrum trapanicum and Haloferax volcanii. The role of the abundant sulfated glycolipids in facing high extracellular salinity is discussed.

Alkalibacillus almallahensis sp. nov., a halophilic bacterium isolated from an inland solar saltern.

A halophilic, Gram-staining-positive, non-motile, endospore forming rod-shaped bacterial strain, S1LM8(T), was isolated from a sediment sample collected from an inland solar saltern located in La Malahá, Granada (Spain). Growth was observed in media containing 7.5-30% total salts (optimum 15% total salts), at pH 7-10 (optimum pH 8) and at 15-50 °C (optimum 35-38 °C). The predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. It contained A1γ-type peptidoglycan with meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C(15 : 0), iso-C(15 : 0), anteiso-C(17 : 0) and iso-C(16 : 0). The G+C content of its genomic DNA was 38.2 mol%. The affiliation of strain S1LM8(T) with the species of the genus Alkalibacillus was determined by 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison. The most closely related species were Alkalibacillus halophilus YIM 012(T) with 99.8% similarity, Alkalibacillus salilacus BH163(T) with 99.8% similarity and Alkalibacillus flavidus ISL-17(T) with 98.1% similarity between their 16S rRNA gene sequences. However, DNA-DNA relatedness between the novel isolate and the related species of the genus Alkalibacillus was less than 34%. Based on the phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic features, a novel species, Alkalibacillus almallahensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is S1LM8(T) ( = CECT 8373(T) = DSM 27545(T)).