The skin is the largest organ in the human body. It protects the body as a barrier from external stimuli such as particulate matter, chemicals, and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Ultraviolet radiation from sunlight is one of the main environmental factors that cause skin damage, a process called photoaging. It can cause sunburn, erythema, skin aging, and skin cancer.

Melanogenesis is the physiological process that results in the production of melanin, the pigment that contributes to skin and hair color. However, abnormally excessive melanin production and accumulation can cause pathological and cosmetic problems.

Hence, safe and effective drugs that inhibit melanogenesis without causing side effects are a good choice. Fucoidan, on the other hand, extracted from brown algae, is rich in natural bioactive compounds that provide a wide range of health benefits to humans. Especially, Fucoidan has been attracting the attention of the dietary supplement, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Also, various studies have reported the potential of Fucoidan in cosmetics.

A previous study suggested that Fucoidan, with a molecular weight of 102.67 kDa isolated from the Hijikia spindle, has potent antioxidant activity. Therefore, the present study was conducted to further analyze Fucoidan’s uses for cosmeceutical purposes, along with anti-photoaging and anti-melanogenesis effects.

Researchers studied H. fusiforme (HFPS) and found that HFPS effectively protected B-irradiated human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) from UVB induction and photoaging. However, the photoprotective effect of purified Fucoidan and its potential mechanism of action has not yet been investigated.

So, in this blog, I would like to share the information from the study “Anti-Photoaging and Anti-Melanogenesis Effects of Fucoidan Isolated from Hizikia fusiforme and Its Underlying Mechanisms” by Lei Wang et al.

The study evaluated its anti-photoaging and anti-melanogenesis benefits to exploring the potential of Fucoidan as a medicated cosmetic.

If Fucoidan effectively reduced the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species, we investigated its anti-photoaging effect in the ultraviolet (UV) B-irradiated human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells). As a result, improved viability of UVB-irradiated cells without cytotoxic effects. (Fig. 1)

Furthermore, Fucoidan significantly reduced UVB-induced apoptosis in HaCaT cells by concentration-dependently regulating the protein expressions of Bax, BclxL, PARP, and Caspase-3 in HaCaT cells. (Fig. 2).

The anti-melanogenic effect of Fucoidan was evaluated in B16F10 melanoma cells stimulated with alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), and fucoidan treatment was significant. (Fig. 3)

It inhibited melanin synthesis in α-MSH-stimulated B16F10 cells. Further studies showed that Fucoidan reduced the expression of tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related proteins-1 and -2 (TRP-1 and -2) in B16F10 cells by downregulating microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) through regulation of ERK.

It was shown to suppress MAPK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase-mitogen-activated) significantly protein kinase) pathway. These results suggest that Fucoidan isolated from H. fusiforme possesses potent anti-photoaging and anti-melanogenic activity and can be used as an ingredient in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.