Djulis (<i>Chenopodium formosanum</i>) Extract as a Promising Natural Agent Against Skin Aging

Photoaging, predominantly induced by ultraviolet radiation, is a primary driver of premature skin aging, characterized by complex molecular mechanisms including oxidative stress, inflammation, matrix metalloproteinase activation, and extracellular matrix degradation. Consequently, there is growing s...

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Main Authors: Jia-Ling Lyu, Po-Yuan Wu, Hsiao-Fang Liao, Chia-Lin Lee, Kuo-Ching Wen, Chang-Cheng Chang, Hsiu-Mei Chiang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Molecules
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/15/3209
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author Jia-Ling Lyu
Po-Yuan Wu
Hsiao-Fang Liao
Chia-Lin Lee
Kuo-Ching Wen
Chang-Cheng Chang
Hsiu-Mei Chiang
author_facet Jia-Ling Lyu
Po-Yuan Wu
Hsiao-Fang Liao
Chia-Lin Lee
Kuo-Ching Wen
Chang-Cheng Chang
Hsiu-Mei Chiang
author_sort Jia-Ling Lyu
collection DOAJ
description Photoaging, predominantly induced by ultraviolet radiation, is a primary driver of premature skin aging, characterized by complex molecular mechanisms including oxidative stress, inflammation, matrix metalloproteinase activation, and extracellular matrix degradation. Consequently, there is growing scientific interest in identifying effective natural agents to counteract skin aging and photoaging. Djulis (<i>Chenopodium formosanum</i>), an indigenous Taiwanese pseudocereal from the Amaranthaceae family, has emerged as a promising candidate for skincare applications because of its rich phytochemicals and diverse bioactivities. This review describes the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying photoaging and examines the therapeutic potential of djulis extract as a multifunctional agent for skin aging. Its mechanisms of action include enhancing antioxidant defenses, modulating inflammatory pathways, preserving the extracellular matrix, and inhibiting the formation of advanced glycation end products. Bioactive constituents of djulis extract, including phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and betanin, are known to exhibit potent antioxidant and photoprotective activities by modulating multiple molecular pathways essential for skin protection. The bioactivities of djulis in in vitro and animal studies, and four skin clinical trials of djulis extract products are presented in this review article. Ultimately, this review provides an overview that supports the potential of djulis extract in the development of evidence-based skincare formulations for the prevention and treatment of skin aging.
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spelling doaj-art-e8931b5eab48437c8d4651dfda3b4e1c2025-08-20T03:02:58ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492025-07-013015320910.3390/molecules30153209Djulis (<i>Chenopodium formosanum</i>) Extract as a Promising Natural Agent Against Skin AgingJia-Ling Lyu0Po-Yuan Wu1Hsiao-Fang Liao2Chia-Lin Lee3Kuo-Ching Wen4Chang-Cheng Chang5Hsiu-Mei Chiang6Department of Cosmeceutics, China Medical University, Taichung 406, TaiwanSchool of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 404, TaiwanDepartment of Cosmeceutics, China Medical University, Taichung 406, TaiwanDepartment of Cosmeceutics, China Medical University, Taichung 406, TaiwanDepartment of Cosmeceutics, China Medical University, Taichung 406, TaiwanDepartment of Cosmeceutics, China Medical University, Taichung 406, TaiwanDepartment of Cosmeceutics, China Medical University, Taichung 406, TaiwanPhotoaging, predominantly induced by ultraviolet radiation, is a primary driver of premature skin aging, characterized by complex molecular mechanisms including oxidative stress, inflammation, matrix metalloproteinase activation, and extracellular matrix degradation. Consequently, there is growing scientific interest in identifying effective natural agents to counteract skin aging and photoaging. Djulis (<i>Chenopodium formosanum</i>), an indigenous Taiwanese pseudocereal from the Amaranthaceae family, has emerged as a promising candidate for skincare applications because of its rich phytochemicals and diverse bioactivities. This review describes the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying photoaging and examines the therapeutic potential of djulis extract as a multifunctional agent for skin aging. Its mechanisms of action include enhancing antioxidant defenses, modulating inflammatory pathways, preserving the extracellular matrix, and inhibiting the formation of advanced glycation end products. Bioactive constituents of djulis extract, including phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and betanin, are known to exhibit potent antioxidant and photoprotective activities by modulating multiple molecular pathways essential for skin protection. The bioactivities of djulis in in vitro and animal studies, and four skin clinical trials of djulis extract products are presented in this review article. Ultimately, this review provides an overview that supports the potential of djulis extract in the development of evidence-based skincare formulations for the prevention and treatment of skin aging.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/15/3209<i>Chenopodium formosanum</i>photoagingphytochemicalsantioxidantanti-inflammatorymatrix metalloproteinases
spellingShingle Jia-Ling Lyu
Po-Yuan Wu
Hsiao-Fang Liao
Chia-Lin Lee
Kuo-Ching Wen
Chang-Cheng Chang
Hsiu-Mei Chiang
Djulis (<i>Chenopodium formosanum</i>) Extract as a Promising Natural Agent Against Skin Aging
Molecules
<i>Chenopodium formosanum</i>
photoaging
phytochemicals
antioxidant
anti-inflammatory
matrix metalloproteinases
title Djulis (<i>Chenopodium formosanum</i>) Extract as a Promising Natural Agent Against Skin Aging
title_full Djulis (<i>Chenopodium formosanum</i>) Extract as a Promising Natural Agent Against Skin Aging
title_fullStr Djulis (<i>Chenopodium formosanum</i>) Extract as a Promising Natural Agent Against Skin Aging
title_full_unstemmed Djulis (<i>Chenopodium formosanum</i>) Extract as a Promising Natural Agent Against Skin Aging
title_short Djulis (<i>Chenopodium formosanum</i>) Extract as a Promising Natural Agent Against Skin Aging
title_sort djulis i chenopodium formosanum i extract as a promising natural agent against skin aging
topic <i>Chenopodium formosanum</i>
photoaging
phytochemicals
antioxidant
anti-inflammatory
matrix metalloproteinases
url https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/15/3209
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