Biotechnological Phytocomplex of <i>Zanthoxylum piperitum</i> (L.) DC. Enhances Collagen Biosynthesis In Vitro and Improves Skin Elasticity In Vivo
<b>Background:</b> <i>Zanthoxylum piperitum</i> (L.) DC., commonly known as Japanese pepper, is a deciduous shrub native to East Asia. Its berries are widely used as a spice, known for imparting a distinctive, tingly numbing sensation. Biologically, <i>Z. piperitum</...
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| author | Giovanna Rigillo Giovanna Pressi Oriana Bertaiola Chiara Guarnerio Matilde Merlin Roberto Zambonin Stefano Pandolfo Angela Golosio Francesca Masin Fabio Tascedda Marco Biagi Giulia Baini |
| author_facet | Giovanna Rigillo Giovanna Pressi Oriana Bertaiola Chiara Guarnerio Matilde Merlin Roberto Zambonin Stefano Pandolfo Angela Golosio Francesca Masin Fabio Tascedda Marco Biagi Giulia Baini |
| author_sort | Giovanna Rigillo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <b>Background:</b> <i>Zanthoxylum piperitum</i> (L.) DC., commonly known as Japanese pepper, is a deciduous shrub native to East Asia. Its berries are widely used as a spice, known for imparting a distinctive, tingly numbing sensation. Biologically, <i>Z. piperitum</i> has antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, and it is studied for its potential benefits in pain relief and digestive health. This study proposed a novel biotechnological <i>Z. piperitum</i> phytocomplex (ZPP) obtained by plant cell culture for skin health, specifically targeting collagen synthesis, extracellular matrix stability, and resilience against cellular stress. Given the bioactivity of <i>Z. piperitum</i>, we aimed to analyze its efficacy as a sustainable alternative for skin-supportive applications in cosmetics and supplements. <b>Methods:</b> ZPP was produced through stable plant cell cultures, yielding a lignan-rich (3.02% <i>w</i>/<i>w</i>) phytocomplex. Human fibroblasts (HFFs) were treated with varying ZPP concentrations to assess cellular viability, collagen metabolism, and ECM-related enzyme activities, both under normal and cell stress conditions. The in vivo assessment was performed by measuring biophysical skin parameters such as hydration, elasticity, and roughness in female volunteers for a period of six weeks. <b>Results:</b> In vitro, ZPP exhibited non-cytotoxicity at all concentrations tested. Under hyperosmotic stress, ZPP reduced cellular damage, suggesting enhanced resilience. ZPP upregulated lysyl oxidase (LOX) protein levels, critical for collagen cross-linking and ECM stability, with protective effects observed under oxidative/inflammatory conditions. Additionally, ZPP selectively inhibited collagenase, attenuating collagen breakdown, though antioxidant activity was modest. In vivo evaluation highlighted improved skin hydration, elasticity, and roughness. <b>Conclusions</b>: ZPP shows promise as a biotechnological agent for skin health, particularly in supporting collagen integrity, ECM stabilization, and cellular resilience under stress. While further studies are needed to explore its full efficacy, especially for aging and environmentally stressed skin, these findings highlight ZPP’s potential as a new ingredient for cosmetic formulations aimed at skin care and the treatment of alterations caused by aging or environmental conditions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-927c52e5df844b68a886e78fbdd6276c |
| institution | Kabale University |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-927c52e5df844b68a886e78fbdd6276c2025-01-24T13:46:07ZengMDPI AGPharmaceutics1999-49232025-01-0117113810.3390/pharmaceutics17010138Biotechnological Phytocomplex of <i>Zanthoxylum piperitum</i> (L.) DC. Enhances Collagen Biosynthesis In Vitro and Improves Skin Elasticity In VivoGiovanna Rigillo0Giovanna Pressi1Oriana Bertaiola2Chiara Guarnerio3Matilde Merlin4Roberto Zambonin5Stefano Pandolfo6Angela Golosio7Francesca Masin8Fabio Tascedda9Marco Biagi10Giulia Baini11Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, MO, ItalyAethera Biotech s.r.l., 36043 Camisano Vicentino, VI, ItalyAethera Biotech s.r.l., 36043 Camisano Vicentino, VI, ItalyAethera Biotech s.r.l., 36043 Camisano Vicentino, VI, ItalyAethera Biotech s.r.l., 36043 Camisano Vicentino, VI, ItalyEurochem Ricerche s.r.l., 35035 Mestrino, PD, ItalyEurochem Ricerche s.r.l., 35035 Mestrino, PD, ItalyKeminova Italiana S.B s.r.l., 25060 Cellatica, BS, ItalyKeminova Italiana S.B s.r.l., 25060 Cellatica, BS, ItalyDepartment of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, MO, ItalyDepartment of Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Parma, 43121 Parma, PR, ItalyDepartment of Physical Sciences, Earth and Environment, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, SI, Italy<b>Background:</b> <i>Zanthoxylum piperitum</i> (L.) DC., commonly known as Japanese pepper, is a deciduous shrub native to East Asia. Its berries are widely used as a spice, known for imparting a distinctive, tingly numbing sensation. Biologically, <i>Z. piperitum</i> has antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, and it is studied for its potential benefits in pain relief and digestive health. This study proposed a novel biotechnological <i>Z. piperitum</i> phytocomplex (ZPP) obtained by plant cell culture for skin health, specifically targeting collagen synthesis, extracellular matrix stability, and resilience against cellular stress. Given the bioactivity of <i>Z. piperitum</i>, we aimed to analyze its efficacy as a sustainable alternative for skin-supportive applications in cosmetics and supplements. <b>Methods:</b> ZPP was produced through stable plant cell cultures, yielding a lignan-rich (3.02% <i>w</i>/<i>w</i>) phytocomplex. Human fibroblasts (HFFs) were treated with varying ZPP concentrations to assess cellular viability, collagen metabolism, and ECM-related enzyme activities, both under normal and cell stress conditions. The in vivo assessment was performed by measuring biophysical skin parameters such as hydration, elasticity, and roughness in female volunteers for a period of six weeks. <b>Results:</b> In vitro, ZPP exhibited non-cytotoxicity at all concentrations tested. Under hyperosmotic stress, ZPP reduced cellular damage, suggesting enhanced resilience. ZPP upregulated lysyl oxidase (LOX) protein levels, critical for collagen cross-linking and ECM stability, with protective effects observed under oxidative/inflammatory conditions. Additionally, ZPP selectively inhibited collagenase, attenuating collagen breakdown, though antioxidant activity was modest. In vivo evaluation highlighted improved skin hydration, elasticity, and roughness. <b>Conclusions</b>: ZPP shows promise as a biotechnological agent for skin health, particularly in supporting collagen integrity, ECM stabilization, and cellular resilience under stress. While further studies are needed to explore its full efficacy, especially for aging and environmentally stressed skin, these findings highlight ZPP’s potential as a new ingredient for cosmetic formulations aimed at skin care and the treatment of alterations caused by aging or environmental conditions.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/17/1/138<i>Zanthoxylum piperitum</i>lignansphytocomplexcollagenaselysyl oxidaseskin |
| spellingShingle | Giovanna Rigillo Giovanna Pressi Oriana Bertaiola Chiara Guarnerio Matilde Merlin Roberto Zambonin Stefano Pandolfo Angela Golosio Francesca Masin Fabio Tascedda Marco Biagi Giulia Baini Biotechnological Phytocomplex of <i>Zanthoxylum piperitum</i> (L.) DC. Enhances Collagen Biosynthesis In Vitro and Improves Skin Elasticity In Vivo Pharmaceutics <i>Zanthoxylum piperitum</i> lignans phytocomplex collagenase lysyl oxidase skin |
| title | Biotechnological Phytocomplex of <i>Zanthoxylum piperitum</i> (L.) DC. Enhances Collagen Biosynthesis In Vitro and Improves Skin Elasticity In Vivo |
| title_full | Biotechnological Phytocomplex of <i>Zanthoxylum piperitum</i> (L.) DC. Enhances Collagen Biosynthesis In Vitro and Improves Skin Elasticity In Vivo |
| title_fullStr | Biotechnological Phytocomplex of <i>Zanthoxylum piperitum</i> (L.) DC. Enhances Collagen Biosynthesis In Vitro and Improves Skin Elasticity In Vivo |
| title_full_unstemmed | Biotechnological Phytocomplex of <i>Zanthoxylum piperitum</i> (L.) DC. Enhances Collagen Biosynthesis In Vitro and Improves Skin Elasticity In Vivo |
| title_short | Biotechnological Phytocomplex of <i>Zanthoxylum piperitum</i> (L.) DC. Enhances Collagen Biosynthesis In Vitro and Improves Skin Elasticity In Vivo |
| title_sort | biotechnological phytocomplex of i zanthoxylum piperitum i l dc enhances collagen biosynthesis in vitro and improves skin elasticity in vivo |
| topic | <i>Zanthoxylum piperitum</i> lignans phytocomplex collagenase lysyl oxidase skin |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/17/1/138 |
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