Mechanistic Insight into the Inhibitory Activity of Elasnin-Based Coating against Early Marine Biofilms.

Marine biofilms are multispecies microbial communities on surfaces that are crucial to the marine environment. They cause marine corrosion, biofouling, and transmission of marine pathogens and thus pose a great threat to public health and the maritime industry. To control marine biofilms, effective and environmentally friendly antibiofilm compounds are highly needed. Elasnin is a potent antibiofilm compound that exhibits high efficiency in inhibiting marine biofilms and biofouling, but its mode of action remains unclear. In the present study, multiomic analysis combined with quorum-sensing assays and in silico study revealed that elasnin acted as a signaling molecule in the microbial community. Elasnin promoted the growth of dominant species in the biofilm but deprived their ability of sensing and responding to environmental changes by disturbing their regulations of the two-component system, i.e., the ATP-binding cassette transport system and the bacterial secretion system. Consequently, biofilm maturation and subsequent biofouler settlement were inhibited. Elasnin also exhibited higher antibiofilm efficiency than dichlorooctylisothiazolinone and had low toxicity potential on the embryos and adults of marine medaka fish. Overall, this study provided molecular and ecological insights into elasnin's mode of action, highlighting its application potential in controlling marine biofilms and the feasibility and advantages of using signal molecules to develop eco-friendly technologies.

Effects of Natural Polyphenols on Skin and Hair Health: A Review.

The skin is the largest organ of the body and plays multiple essential roles, ranging from regulating temperature, preventing infections, to ultimately affecting human health. A hair follicle is a complex cutaneous appendage. Skin diseases and hair loss have a significant effect on the quality of life and psychosocial adjustment of individuals. However, the available traditional drugs for treating skin and hair diseases may have some insufficiencies; therefore, a growing number of researchers are interested in natural materials that could achieve satisfactory results and minimize adverse effects. Natural polyphenols, named for the multiple phenolic hydroxyl groups in their structures, are promising candidates and continue to be of scientific interest due to their multifunctional biological properties and safety. Polyphenols have a wide range of pharmacological effects. In addition to the most common effect, antioxidation, polyphenols have anti-inflammatory, bacteriostatic, antitumor, and other biological effects associated with reduced risk of a number of chronic diseases. Various polyphenols have also shown efficacy against different types of skin and hair diseases, both in vitro and in vivo, via different mechanisms. Thus, this paper reviews the research progress in natural polyphenols for the protection of skin and hair health, especially focusing on their potential therapeutic mechanisms against skin and hair disorders. A deep understanding of natural polyphenols provides a new perspective for the safe treatment of skin diseases and hair loss.