For this research article, we investigated the protective effects of enzyme-treated caviar powder extract (CV) in ultraviolet B (UVB)-irradiated hairless mice and keratinocytes by confirming moisturizing-related factors and elasticity-related factors. UVB irradiation induced wrinkle formation, dehydration, oxidative stress, and inflammation in the dorsal skin of mice; however, these were suppressed in the CV-supplemented groups in UVB-irradiated hairless mice. Furthermore, in UVB-irradiated keratinocytes, CV treatment increased the antioxidant enzyme activities and the levels of sphingomyelin and hyaluronic acid and decreased the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the expression of IkB-α and p65 phosphorylation. These findings indicate that CV can directly protect keratinocytes against UVB irradiation-induced oxidative stress and inflammation. Therefore, we suggest that CV can protect against UVB-induced skin photoaging. Therefore, we suggest that caviar is effective for skin health by preventing UVB-induced skin photoaging.

Oxidative stress in the skin, induced by an unhealthy lifestyle and exposure to UVB radiation, leads to skin aging, including reduced elasticity, formation of wrinkles, moisture loss, and inflammation. In a previous study, we revealed the photoaging effects of enzyme-treated caviar extract (CV) by regulating collagen and hyaluronic acid synthase, melanogenesis, anti-oxidant mechanisms, and inflammation in a UVB irradiation-induced mice model. HPLC and MALDI-TOF were performed to determine the effect of enzyme treatment on the free amino acid contents and peptide molecular weight in supercritical caviar extract. As results of the analysis, CV is mainly composed of low-molecular-weight peptides consisting of leucine, tyrosine, and phenylalanine. Based on our in vitro and in vivo study, we conducted a clinical trial to assess the skin anti-aging efficacy of CV. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we measured indicators related to elasticity, wrinkles, and skin hydration at 4 and 8 weeks after consumption of CV. The subjects were categorized into caviar, combination, and placebo groups. After 4 weeks, skin hydration, dermal hydration, and transepidermal water loss all showed significant improvement. Furthermore, after 8 weeks, skin elasticity indexes—R2 (total elasticity), R5 (net elasticity), and R7 (ratio of elastic recovery to total deformation)—exhibited significant increases. Improvement in wrinkle indicators (Rmax, Ra, and Rz) and the whitening indicator melanin pigment was also observed. This is the first report showing that CV has significant skin anti-aging efficacy on human skin. In conclusion, our study suggests that CV can be used as skin anti-aging nutraceuticals through positive effects on skin condition in clinical trials.

Jinhak Kim, Sangwon Eun, Hyunmook Jung, Jaehwan Kim, and Jinkyung Kim. Prev Nutr Food Sci 2023;28:285-92. https://doi.org/10.3746/pnf.2023.28.3.285

Huijin Heo, Jayashree Madhavan, Sangwon Eun, Hyunmook Jung, and Hana Lee. Prev Nutr Food Sci 2021;26:425-33. https://doi.org/10.3746/pnf.2021.26.4.425

Terminalia bellirica extract (TBE) has long been utilized in Ayurvedic medicine across Indian and surrounding regions for diverse therapeutic applications. Despite its traditional prominence, systematic investigations addressing the anti-obesity efficacy and underlying mechanisms remain limited. In this study, we evaluated the anti-obesity potential of TBE using both 3T3-L1 adipocyte and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced mice model. In vitro studies using 3T3-L1 adipocytes demonstrated that TBE significantly inhibited lipid accumulation and downregulated key genes involved in adipogenesis and lipogenesis, while upregulating genes promoted lipolysis and energy metabolism. To validate these cellular effects in a physiological context, mice were randomly assigned to six groups: normal control (NC), HFD-induced obese (C), HFD with metformin (100 mg/kg b.w., PC), and HFD with TBE at 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg b.w. Consistent with the in vitro findings, TBE supplementation significantly reduced body weight gain, adipose tissue mass, and adipocyte size in HFD-induced obese mice. Taken together, these results indicate that TBE exerts anti-obesity effects through modulation of adipose tissue metabolic pathways, highlighting its therapeutic potential for obesity management.