Fucus vesiculosus extract

Fucus vesiculosus, commonly known as bladder wrack, is a species of brown algae growing in cold-temperate waters, largely distributed around the North Atlantic shores. Fucus vesiculosus is rich in bioactive compounds, including fucoidan, fucoxanthin, phlorotannins, and several vitamins, all presenting a broad spectrum of bioactivities with great potential for application in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Studies provide evidence of the antioxidant, anti-tumor, and anti-inflammatory activities of Fucus vesiculosus extract. 1,2

In the cosmetic and personal care industry, Fucus vesiculosus extract is gaining popularity to be used as an effective treatment for dark circles, to reduce eye bags, boost collagen, as an antioxidant agent, and as an anti-inflammatory agent. One of the common reasons for the formation of dark circles is the leakage of blood vessels due to internal stress ( eg, lack of enough sleep) which results in the accumulation of heme outside the blood vessel giving the dark shade. Fucus vesiculosus extract reduces the look of dark circles by participating in the heme pathway in the skin. It promotes the degradation of toxic heme that is leaked out to its protective catabolites and reduces the source of dark circles. Fucus extract does this by stimulating the activity of the HO-1 enzyme ( heme oxygenase) at both gene and protein levels. By stimulating this enzyme, it promotes the degradation of toxic heme In addition, Fucus extract showed good anti-inflammatory efficacy. The strong antioxidation property of Fucus extract can reduce eye bags and wrinkles while its collagen-boosting activity will potentially reduce fine lines and wrinkles. 3,4,5

Figure 1: measurement of mRNA ( messenger RNA) expression of HO-1 enzyme. mRNA leads to the synthesis of the enzyme,e. The higher the level of mRNA higher the amount of enzyme synthesized downstream. As seen in the figure there is a dose-dependent increase in the amount of ho-1 mRNA. The higher the amount of Fucus extracts being used in the in-vitro experiment using keratinocytes, the higher the level of mRNA formed.

In addition, Fucus extract showed good anti-inflammatory efficacy. The strong antioxidation property of Fucus extract can reduce eye bags and wrinkles while its collagen-boosting activity will potentially reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

Figure 2: There is a dose-dependent increase in the synthesis of collagen. As the concentration of the Fucus extract in the in-vitro experiment using keratinocytes was increased there is an increase in the amount of collagen 1 synthesized. Vitamin C was used as a control and for comparison of the activity of Fucus extract.

Figure 3: A dose-dependent increase in the antioxidant activity was seen in the in-vitro experiment using keratinocytes. As the dose of Fucus extract was increased an increase in the antioxidant activity was seen. Trolox was used as a control and for comparison of the antioxidant activity. Trolox is an antioxidant like Vitamin E.

References:

1. GBIF GBIF Backbone Taxonomy-Fucus vesiculosus L. Available online: https://doi.org/10.15468/ dl.r83ttf (accessed on 21 January 2020).
2. Phytochemical Constituents and Biological Activities of Fucus Mar. Drugs 2018, 16, 249.
3. Treatment of human skin with an extract of Fucus vesiculosus changes its thickness and mechanical properties. J Cosmet Sci, Jan-Feb 2002;53(1):1-9.
4. Fucus extract: cosmetic treatment for under-eye dark circles J Cosmet Sci, Mar-Apr 2014;65(2):103-13.
5. Antioxidant capacities of phlorotannins extracted from the brown algae Fucus vesiculosus. J Agric Food Chem 2012 Jun 13;60(23):5874-83.