Accumulating evidence indicates that botanical extracts affect skin biophysical parameters, such as hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), melanin index, erythema index, and wrinkle development. Vaccinium uliginosum extract contains a high level of anthocyanins as antioxidant and is ideal for use in dietary skin care products. Here, we assessed the photoprotective effects of dietary V. uliginosum extract in ultraviolet B (UVB)-irradiated hairless mice. Quantitative analysis of anthocyanin composition in the ethanol-extracted V. uliginosum sample was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Skin parameter analysis and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining were conducted on skin samples from UVB-irradiated hairless mice to evaluate the effects of V. uliginosum extract on skin conditions. In addition, skin mRNA and protein expression were assessed to characterize the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of the anthocyanin-enriched extract on skin appearance and condition. Administration of the ethanol-extracted V. uliginosum sample caused significant changes in skin water-holding capacity, TEWL, wrinkle-related parameters, and epidermal thickness in UVB-irradiated hairless mice. In addition, oral administration of V. uliginosum attenuated the gene expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and increased levels of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) and antioxidant-related genes. Further, V. uliginosum administration downregulated inflammatory cytokine levels and UVB-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signaling regulated kinase (ERK), as well as Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 protein levels. Oral administration of anthocyanin-enriched V. uliginosum extract can improve the appearance and condition of the skin following UV irradiation.

Current pharmacological treatments for insomnia carry several and long-term side effects. Therefore, natural products without side effects are warranted. In this study, the sleep-promoting activity of the lotus leaf (Nelumbo nucifera) extract was assessed using ICR mice and Sprague Dawley rats. A pentobarbital-induced sleep test and electroencephalogram analysis were conducted to measure sleep latency time, duration, and sleep architecture. The action mechanism of the extract was evaluated through ligand binding experiments. A high dose (300 mg/kg) of the ethanolic lotus leaf extract significantly increased sleep duration compared to the normal group (p < 0.01). Administration of low (150 mg/kg) and high doses (300 mg/kg) of the extract significantly increased sleep quality, especially the relative power of theta waves (p < 0.05), compared to the normal group. Furthermore, caffeine and lotus leaf extract administration significantly recovered caffeine-induced sleep disruption (p < 0.001), and the sleep quality was similar to that of the normal group. Additionally, ligand binding assay using [³H]-flumazenil revealed that quercetin-3-O-glucuronide contained in the lotus leaf extract (77.27 μg/mg of extract) enhanced sleep by binding to GABA_A receptors. Collectively, these results indicated that the lotus leaf extract, particularly quercetin-3-O-glucuronide, exhibits sleep quantity- and quality-enhancing activity via the GABAergic pathway.

Prebiotic treatment may rebalance the skin microbiota by regulating the growth of harmful and beneficial microorganisms. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial (N = 60), we evaluated the effects of a cosmetic serum containing galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) on the balance of the skin microbiota by measuring various skin parameters. The skin water-holding capacity between the control (ND) and experimental (NF) groups was significantly different after 8 weeks of serum treatment (p < 0.05). Similarly, changes in transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and the erythema index in the ND and NF groups were significantly different (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the wrinkle depth and Staphylococcus aureus population decreased in the NF group compared with those in the ND group (p < 0.05). The mean form factor, Shannon index, and Pediococcus population were significantly increased in the post-NF group compared with those in the post-ND group (p < 0.05). Finally, in the ND group, water-holding capacity was positively correlated with Enhydrobacter, whereas Enterobacteriaceae was negatively correlated with TEWL in the NF group. These results suggest that GOS inhibit the growth of harmful skin microbes and increase the population of beneficial microbes.

This study measured the proliferative activity of malto-oligosaccharide (MOS) as a prebiotic against Bifidobacteria, resistance to digestion in vitro, and changes during in vitro fermentation by human fecal microorganisms. It consisted of 21.74%, 18.84%, and 11.76% of maltotriose, maltotetraose, and maltopentaose produced by amylase (HATT), respectively. When 1% of MOS was added to a modified PYF medium as the carbon source, proliferation of Bifidobacterium breve was increased significantly. During the in vitro digestion test, MOS was partially degraded by intestinal enzymes. Fermentation characteristics by human fecal microorganisms were evaluated by adding 1% galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS), as well as 1% and 2% MOS as carbon sources to the basal medium, respectively. In comparison with the addition of 1% of MOS and GOS, the total short chain fatty acid (SCFA) content increased over time when 2% of MOS was added. The species diversity and richness of intestinal microbiota increased significantly with 2% MOS compared to those with 1% GOS. In addition, the 2% addition of MOS reduced intestinal pathobiont microorganisms and increased commensal microorganisms including Bifidobacterium genus. Collectively, MOS produced by amylase increased the SCFA production and enhanced the growth of beneficial bacteria during in vitro fermentation by human fecal microbiota.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Lactobacillus brevis-fermented γ-aminobutyric acid (LB-GABA) on sleep behaviors in invertebrate and vertebrate models. In Drosophila melanogaster, LB-GABA-treated group showed an 8–9%-longer sleep duration than normal group did. LB-GABA-treated group also showed a 46.7% lower level of nighttime activity with a longer (11%) sleep duration under caffeine-induced arousal conditions. The LB-GABA-mediated inhibition of activity was confirmed as a reduction of total movement of flies using a video tracking system. In the pentobarbital-induced sleep test in mice, LB-GABA (100 mg/kg) shortened the time of onset of sleep by 32.2% and extended sleeping time by 59%. In addition, mRNA and protein level of GABAergic/Serotonergic neurotransmitters were upregulated following treatment with LB-GABA (2.0%). In particular, intestine- and brain-derived GABA_A protein levels were increased by sevenfold and fivefold, respectively. The electroencephalography (EEG) analysis in rats showed that LB-GABA significantly increased non-rapid eye movement (NREM) (53%) with the increase in theta (θ, 59%) and delta (δ, 63%) waves, leading to longer sleep time (35%), under caffeine-induced insomnia conditions. LB-GABA showed a dose-dependent agonist activity on human GABA_A receptor with a half-maximal effective concentration (EC₅₀) of 3.44 µg/mL in human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells.

Unbalanced dietary habits and the consumption of high protein and instant foods cause an increase in constipation. Here, we evaluated the effects of galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS) on a rat model of loperamide-induced constipation by measuring various biological markers and cecal microbiota. The fecal water content and intestinal transit ratio significantly increased in the GOS-administered (GL and GH) groups than in the control group (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, and p < 0.001, respectively). The length of intestinal mucosa (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively) and area of crypt cells were (p < 0.01, both) significantly increased in the GOS-administered groups compared to the control group. The distribution of interstitial cells of Cajal, which is related to the intestinal movement, showed a significant increase in GOS-administered groups than in the control group (p < 0.01, both). The relative abundance of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), especially Lactobacillus and Lactococcus, significantly increased in the GL group than in the control group. Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and the gut microbiota in the GL groups. These results demonstrated that GOS administration effectively alleviates constipation by increasing LAB proliferation in the intestinal microbiota and SCFA production.