TITLE:
Dead Sea Minerals-Induced Positive Stress as an Innovative Resource for Skincare Actives
AUTHORS:
Meital Portugal-Cohen, Maria F. Dominguez, Miriam Oron, Robert Holtz, Ze’evi Ma’or
KEYWORDS:
Skin Elasticity Biomarkers, Skin Aging, Active Ingredients, Dead Sea Minerals, Positive Stress
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Cosmetics, Dermatological Sciences and Applications,
Vol.5 No.1,
February
11,
2015
ABSTRACT: Objective: Exposure to certain stresses in small doses might lead to a
protective effect by improving resistance to other stressors. Dead Sea (DS)
minerals can be a relevant source to induce positive stress due to their high
salinity and unique mineral combination. This concept could be further
optimized using advanced unique cell biotechnology. The purpose of this study
was to elucidate the innovative concept of
DS minerals (water extract and black mud) supplementation in small amount
to Pichia pastoris yeast growth media as a positive stress by testing
the capability of accepted fermentation compounds to affect the appearance of
skin. Methods: Skin equivalents were topically applied with different Pichia
pastoris fermentations (Metabiotics?). Skin elasticity biomarkers were
tested, since loss of elasticity and suppleness is a natural skin aging process
leading to deeper wrinkles and loss of
firmness. A preliminary screening at the gene level using DNA microarray
was performed and subsequently, the following proteins were detected using
ELISA or immunoblotting assays: elastin, fibulin-1, lysyl oxidase (LOX),
metalloproteinase 3 (MMP-3), E-cadherin, claudin 4, tight junction protein
(TJP)-1 and TJP-2. UVB irradiation was selected as a stressor. Results:
Fermentation compounds generated in the presence of small doses of DS minerals
affected the expression of various elasticity-related genes in skin. Moreover,
they significantly attenuated the abnormal UVB-induced alterations, the proteins
elastin, fibulin-1, LOX, MMP-3, E-cadherin and TJP-2. Conclusions: The
observations clearly demonstrate that when DS Metabiotics? compounds are
topically applied, significant alterations in several biomarkers that
contribute to skin elasticity occur. Thus, these novel compounds have the
potential to serve as skincare actives.