Photoprotection and Antioxidation: A Dual Strategy for Comprehensive Summer Skincare

During the summer season, elevated ambient temperatures and heightened exposure to UVA and UVB rays contribute synergistically to melanogenesis, photo-induced hyperpigmentation, and oxidative stress, leading to a dull complexion and accelerated skin aging. It is well known that sun protection is the first step in skin care, but it is not enough to do well in sun protection-anti-oxidation is the second line of defense to truly protect young skin. 
We hereby present ActiBiso™ EGT(Ergothioneine), a high-performance antioxidant ingredient developed by Suzhou Sunland Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd.

Product Introduction
Ergothioneine，EGT（CAS No.：497-30-3）It is a natural antioxidant and a unique cell physiological protective agent. It has many physiological functions, such as scavenging free radicals, whitening, anti-aging, preventing ultraviolet radiation damage, maintaining DNA synthesis and normal cell growth. 
The pure product is white crystal, water soluble (0.9 mol / L at room temperature), and will not oxidize itself in physiological pH value and strong alkali solution. It has two isomers, thiol and thione, as shown in the following figure:

With the growth of age, ergothioneine in human body is also decreasing. The distribution of ergothioneine in vivo shows that it preferentially accumulates in organs, cells and secretions, such as liver, kidney and red blood cells, which are susceptible to high levels of oxidative stress and inflammation, which can be regarded as an adaptive cytoprotective mechanism.
Under normal circumstances, free radicals are necessary for the body, but excessive free radicals will cause imbalance of physiological functions, and then cause oxidative stress reaction, the result is that the repair system can not remove excessive free radicals in time, which is manifested in various diseases in the body, and aging phenomena such as darkening, fine lines and relaxation will appear on the skin. Therefore, in special circumstances, it is necessary to supplement antioxidant substances in vitro to assist the body to remove excessive free radicals.
Ergothioneine is an important physiological active substance in the body:
■ Removal of active oxides 
■ Removal of active nitrogen compounds 
■ Activation of antioxidant enzymes and inhibition of superoxide dismutase 
■ Chelating divalent metal ions 
■ UV filters 
■ Cell physiological protectants

In order to verify the efficacy of ergothionine, we have done the following experiments:

Experimental content: In vitro study on free radical scavenging capacity of ActiBiso™ EGT: comparison with glutathione, uric acid and water soluble vitamin E.

Experimental method: the antioxidant capacity of ActiBiso™ EGT was measured by its antagonistic effect on hydroxyl radicals,oxidative free radicals and kmba in peroxynitrite. The antioxidant capacity was expressed by the unit of total oxygen free radical scavenging capacity (TOSC), and the common antioxidants such as glutathione, uric acid and water-soluble vitamin E were used as reference.

Experimental results: compared with classic antioxidants, such as glutathione, uric acid and water-soluble vitamin E, ActiBiso™ EGT was significantly higher than that of traditional antioxidants. The antioxidant activity was the highest. The scavenging power of ActiBiso™ EGT on peroxy radicals was 25% higher than that of water-soluble vitamin E, and the scavenging power of hydroxyl groups of ActiBiso™ EGT was 60% higher than that of uric acid. ActiBiso™ EGT also showed the highest antioxidant capacity to nitrate (5.2 ± 1.0), 10% higher than uric acid (4.7 ± 0.9).

As shown in the image above, it can be concluded that scavenging effect curve of different concentrations of ActiBiso™ EGT on peroxy radical (ROO·), hydroxyl radical (OH·) and Peronitrates (HOONO): ActiBiso™ EGT has obvious scavenging effect on three kinds of free radicals and peroxides.

It can be inferred from the above figure that comparison of total oxygen free radical scavenging capacity of ActiBiso™ EGT, glutathione (GSH), water soluble vitamin E (Trolox) and uric acid (Uric acid): compared with other classic antioxidants, ActiBiso™ EGT has the highest antioxidant capacity.

Efficacy and Function
➢ Increases cell activity and reduces cell apoptosis Flow cytometry was used to analyze the single cell particles in the suspension by detecting the labeled fluorescence signal. The results showed that 2% ActiBiso™ EGT could increase the proportion of living cells by 39%, and reduce the apoptotic cells by 76%.

➢ Whiten skin
ActiBiso™ EGT is a kind of natural antioxidant, which is highly protective and non-toxic to cells. It is not easy to be oxidized in water, which makes concentration in some tissues reach 7 mmol-L, and stimulates the natural antioxidant defense system of cells. The results showed that the addition of ActiBiso™ EGT in cosmetics reached 0.01% ~ 0.03%, which could hinder the formation and deposition of pigment and whiten the skin,and it’s an Essential components of skin cell antioxidant defense system.

➢ Lighten spots, remove acne, tighten and anti-aging
ActiBiso™ EGT can effectively resist oxidation, delay aging, prevent age-related skin elasticity loss, modify and improve facial contour, and prevent or improve the appearance of orange peel lines.

Half-face double-blind test of 0.5% ActiBiso™ EGT emulsion

➢ Sunscreen
In the UV absorption range, ActiBiso™ EGT has the same absorption wavelength as DNA, the molar extinction coefficient is 1.4 * 104 M-1 cm-1, λ max257, which can minimize the formation of reactive oxygen species and protect cells from radiation damage. Therefore, ActiBiso™ EGT can be used as a physiological filter for ultraviolet rays. Many literatures have shown that ActiBiso™ EGT can avoid the damage to skin caused by ultraviolet radiation, and it is a very effective sunscreen. 
Experimental research: genotoxicity test of visible light (400-800 nm) and photoprotection evaluation test of seaweed enzyme, ActiBiso™ EGT, manna.
The aim of this study was to determine the genotoxicity of visible light (400 – 800 nm) and UVA / visible light (315 – 800 nm) on human keratinocytes and CHO cells. In addition, cell genetic changes were detected in CHO cells by micronucleus test. The effectiveness of three protective compounds (seaweed enzyme, ActiBiso™ EGT, mannitol) on reducing DNA single strand breaks was tested by gel electrophoresis. The DNA damage induced by visible light and UVA decreased after 1 hour preculture with the three test complexes. In terms of the maximum efficacy of preventing visible light, seaweed enzyme (0.1 mm) was 92.7%, ActiBiso™ EGT (0.5 mm) was 97.9%, mannitol (1.5 mm) was 52.0%; in terms of UVA prevention effect, seaweed enzyme (0.1 mm) was 68.9%, ActiBiso™ EGT (0.5 mm) was 59.8%, mannitol (1.5 mm) was 62.7%.

■ Control: non light treated cells
■ IR: unprotected light treated cells.

The effect of different concentrations of ActiBiso™ EGT (ERT 0.1-0.5mM) on the keratinocytes of human skin was tested by alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis. 

➢ Anti inflammatory
Inflammation is the response of the body when the skin is infected. Excessive ultraviolet radiation and excessive pressure are the inducements of skin inflammation. Studies have shown that ActiBiso™ EGT can play an anti-inflammatory role in skin cells. At the same time, the combination of ActiBiso™ EGT and vitamin C will achieve a more significant effect. Elizabeth Arden has done the application experiment of ActiBiso™ EGT in repairing skin inflammation caused by UV. It shows that the combination of adelbine and ActiBiso™ EGT can reduce the skin inflammation and light damage caused by UV.

➢ Synergistic effects
ActiBiso™ EGT can regulate the redox reaction in cells and participate in the regulation of intracellular energy. It is a physiological protective agent of cells. It has biological and pharmacological properties and is safe and stable. Therefore, ActiBiso™ EGT can not only maintain the stability of other components, but also promote the absorption of active ingredients by cells, which has a good synergistic effect, effectively enhance the efficacy of other components, and achieve the effect of 1 + 1 > 2. For example, ActiBiso™ EGT in an antioxidant product that can not only play a strong antioxidant effect, but also synergize with other antioxidants to enhance its vitality.

Summarize
ActiBiso™ EGT( ergothionine), as a functional raw material with clear antioxidant mechanism, shows excellent performance in dealing with photoaging, oxidative stress and inflammation-related skin problems. It has high stability and strong bioavailability, and is suitable for various skin care product systems. It is one of the potential antioxidant solutions in the current functional skin care formulations.
It is helpful to improve the anti-photoaging ability of skin and optimize the skin performance by incorporating ergothionine into the daily sun protection and repair system in the summer of high-intensity ultraviolet exposure.
Suzhou Sunland Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd. will continue to focus on the scientific research and application transformation of active ingredients to provide safer, more efficient and sustainable raw material support for skin health.