Elastin is a crucial component of the extracellular matrix that plays a significant role in maintaining skin elasticity and firmness. Within the dermis, elastin works in collaboration with collagen to form supportive structures that contribute to the overall health and appearance of the skin. As individuals age, the rate of elastin synthesis gradually declines, resulting in the degradation of skin elastic fibers, which subsequently leads to skin laxity and the formation of wrinkles. Furthermore, environmental factors, particularly ultraviolet radiation, can exacerbate the degradation of elastin and accelerate the aging process of the skin. Elasticity is regarded as a fundamental aspect of skin health; thus, maintaining adequate levels of elastin is essential for delaying the signs of skin aging and preserving the normal physiological functions of the skin. Currently, elastin has become an important ingredient in anti-aging products, demonstrating significant market potential and application prospects. This review focuses on the structural characteristics, physiological functions, and applications of elastin in cosmetics. Additionally, it discusses novel preparation techniques, future development opportunities, and challenges associated with elastin, with the objective of providing a robust theoretical framework for its application and advancement within the cosmetics industry.

Ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure can contribute to photoaging of skin. Cornus officinalis is rich in ursolic acid (UA), which is beneficial to the prevention of photoaging. Because UA is hardly soluble in water, the Cornus officinalis extract (COE) was obtained using water as the antisolvent to separate the components containing UA from the crude extract of Cornus officinalis. The effect of COE on UVB damage was assessed using Caenorhabditis elegans. The results showed that COE could increase the lifespan and enhance the antioxidant enzyme activity of C. elegans exposed to UVB while decreasing the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level. At the same time, COE upregulated the expression of antioxidant-related genes and promoted the migration of SKN-1 to the nucleus. Moreover, COE inhibited the expression of the skn-1 downstream gene and the extension of the lifespan in skn-1 mutants exposed to UVB, indicating that SKN-1 was required for COE to function. Our findings indicate that COE mainly ameliorates the oxidative stress caused by UVB in C. elegans via the SKN-1/Nrf2 pathway.

Morus nigra L. is rich in anthocyanins and other active ingredients, but its extraction residues pose a burden on the environment. In the present study, Morus nigra L. extraction residue resource utilization was achieved through liquid fermentation of Schizophyllum commune, with the aim of enhancing anthocyanin solubilization and evaluating anti-inflammatory activity. Response surface methodology was used to optimize fermentation parameters and quantify anthocyanin fractions by HPLC. The anti-inflammatory effect was evaluated using the lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation model of human foreskin fibroblast (BJ cell), and the interaction of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) with NLRP3, a key target of the pyroptosis pathway, was resolved by molecular docking. Our results indicated that the optimal conditions (substrate 3.4%, inoculum 9%, time 50 h) enabled the total anthocyanin to reach 85.1 μg/mL, of which the C3G content was elevated to 66.7 μg/mL (release efficiency of 83.9%). The fermented filtrate effectively promoted BJ cell proliferation and inhibited the lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response, with the pyroptosis signaling pathway playing a significant role. Molecular docking confirmed that C3G binds strongly to the NLRP3 protein. This technology provides a new strategy for high-value utilization of Morus nigra L. residues and the development of natural anti-inflammatory drugs.

Sea rice harbors a diverse array of bioactive constituents, among which the efficient liberation of phytic acid is pivotal for unlocking its full functional potential. In this study, a co-fermentation system integrating yeast and lactic acid bacteria was established to generate a sea rice fermentation filtrate (SRF) with enhanced phytic acid (PA) content, aiming to broaden its application as a cosmeceutical ingredient and to facilitate the high-value utilization of sea rice. Response surface methodology was employed to optimize the inoculation ratios of the two microbial strains and the fermentation duration, and the PA levels were quantified using a commercial assay kit. The anti-melanogenic activity of SRF was assessed in murine B16 melanoma cells, and the underlying molecular mechanisms were elucidated with particular emphasis on the PI3K/AKT/GSK3β/MITF signaling cascade. Under the optimal conditions, specifically Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) inoculation at 4.5% and Lactobacillus plantarum (LP) at 6.0% with a fermentation time of 18 h, the PA concentration reached 576.61 μg/mL. Mechanistically, SRF treatment enhanced GSK3β phosphorylation, which was associated with reduced MITF phosphorylation and diminished the expression of downstream melanogenic enzymes, thereby effectively curtailing melanin synthesis, suggesting that SRF, as a complex fermentation product containing multiple bioactive constituents including PA, exhibits potent whitening efficacy. Collectively, these results provide novel perspectives for the valorization of sea rice and the development of natural skin-lightening agents, while also contributing to the extension of the sea rice industrial value chain.