The antiaging effects of a product containing collagen and ascorbic acid: In vitro, ex vivo, and pre-post intervention clinical trial.

Various substances, including collagen (Naticol®) and ascorbic acid, that inhibit and prevent skin aging have been studied. Collagen prevents skin aging, has anti-inflammatory effects, and assists in normal wound healing. Ascorbic acid is a representative antioxidant that plays a role in collagen synthesis. To achieve a synergistic effect of collagen and ascorbic acid on all skin types, we prepared a product named "TEENIALL." In addition, we used a container to separate ascorbic acid and collagen to prevent the oxidation of ascorbic acid. To confirm the effects of TEENIALL, we first confirmed its penetrability in fibroblasts, keratinocytes, melanocyte, and human skin tissues. Thereafter, we confirmed the collagen synthesis ability in normal human fibroblasts. Based on the results of in vitro tests, we conducted a clinical trial (KCT0006916) on female volunteers, aged 40 to 59 years, with skin wrinkles and hyperpigmentation, to evaluate the effects of the product in improving skin wrinkles, skin lifting, and pigmentation areas before using the product, and after 2 and 4 weeks of using the product. The values of nine wrinkle parameters that were evaluated decreased and those for skin sagging, pigmentation, dermal density, and mechanical imprint (pressure) relief were improved. Skin wrinkle and pigmentation were evaluated to ensure that the improvement effect was maintained even after 1 week of discontinuing the product use. The evaluation confirmed that the effects were sustained compared to those after 4 weeks of using the product. Additionally, skin wrinkles, skin lifting, radiance, and moisture content in the skin improved immediately after using the product once. Based on the results of in vitro and ex vivo experiments and the clinical trial, we show that the product containing ascorbic acid and collagen was effective in alleviating skin aging.

Inhibitory Effect of Lotusine on Solar UV-Induced Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 Expression.

Solar ultraviolet (sUV) radiation remains a major cause of skin aging. Nelumbo nucifera (lotus) is a well-known edible plant widely grown in Asia, including Korea, China, and Japan. The lotus consists of flowers, leaves, stems, and seeds, and all parts reportedly possess nutritional and medical values. Traditionally, lotus flowers, leaves, stems, and seeds have been used as antidiarrheal agents, diuretics, antipyretics, and antimicrobial and antihyperlipidemic agents. In addition, the Nelumbo nucifera lotus embryo has been shown to possess sedative and antipyretic properties and can relieve hemostatic thirst and treat eye diseases. Recently, Nelumbo nucifera lotus flower extract has been widely used in cosmetics due to its ability to reduce wrinkles and its whitening effects. Numerous cosmetics using Nelumbo nucifera lotus embryo extracts are commercially available. However, the active components of Nelumbo nucifera remain elusive. Lotusine is a phytochemical and soluble alkaloid found in lotus embryos. Herein, we examined the anti-wrinkle effect of lotusine using sUV-exposed human keratinocytes. We observed that lotusine reduced sUV-induced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 expression and modulated transcriptional activities of activator protein (AP)-1 and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). sUV-induced AP-1 and NF-κB activity could be activated via multiple signal transduction cascades, including the p38 MAPK, JNK, ERK1/2, and Akt pathways in the skin. Lotusine inhibited the MEK1/2-ERK1/2-p90RSK, MKK3/6-p38, and Akt-p70S6K pathways. Overall, our findings suggest that lotusine has potential benefits related to MMP-1 expression and skin aging following sUV exposure. Hence, the lotus can be developed as a valuable functional food and cosmetic material.

Psychometric properties of the Korean Motor-free Visual Perception Test-4 in healthy people.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to cross-culturally adapt the Motor-free Visual Perception Test 4 (MVPT-4) for use in Korean contexts and examine its psychometric properties. METHODS: The Korean MVPT-4 (K-MVPT-4) was developed via the process of translation, back-translation, and expert committee review. To establish internal consistency, test-retest reliability, concurrent validity and construct validity of the K-MVPT-4, 295 healthy people aged 10 to 79 years participated in this study. Participants completed the measures for the test-retest reliability on two occasions, 2 weeks apart. RESULTS: After three steps of cross-cultural adaptation, the K-MVPT-4 was revised to improve its alignment with Korean cultural norms. Cronbach's α for internal consistency was .857 and intra-class correlation coefficient for test-retest reliability was .949. The K-MVPT-4 scores were significantly correlated with those of three motor-reduced subscales of the Korean Developmental Test of Visual Perception-Adolescent (K-DTVP-A) (r = .44-.46, p < .01). Participants' age significantly influenced the K-MVPT-4 scores (p < .001) while their gender did not affect those scores (p = .409). As the age increased, the K-MVPT-4 scores decreased. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicated that the K-MVPT-4 is a reliable and valid test that Korean rehabilitation service providers can use with confidence to assess clients' visual perceptual abilities.