Antiaging Effects of Algae-Derived Mycosporine-Like Amino Acids (MAAs) on Skin

Abstract

Skin aging is a complex biological process that is a consequence of both intrinsic and extrinsic aging. Intrinsic aging refers to genetically programmed aging with time. Extrinsic aging is mainly caused by environmental factors such as ultraviolet damage, pollution, harsh weather, and cigarette smoke. Chronic sun exposure is one of the main causes of extrinsic skin aging and is responsible for age-related changes such as wrinkles, roughness, mottled hyperpigmentation, dilated blood vessels, and loss of skin tone. The substantial loss in the stratospheric ozone layer and consequent increment in solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation on the earth's surface have augmented the interest in searching for natural photoprotective compounds. Several photosynthetic marine organisms have evolved defense mechanisms to counteract UV radiation by synthesizing UV-absorbing compounds, such as mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs). MAAs have been reported in diverse organisms; they are a family of secondary metabolites that directly or indirectly absorb the energy of solar radiation and protect organisms from enhanced solar UV radiation. MAAs have maximum UV absorption between 310 and 362 nm and high molar extinction coefficients. In addition, they have a capability to dissipate absorbed radiation as heat efficiently without producing reactive oxygen species (ROS). And also MAAs increase the photostability and resistance to several abiotic stressors. Several MAAs are introduced in this chapter and their functional roles were suggested for antiaging. Among them, we will discuss three specific MAAs, porphyra-334, shinorine, and mycosporine-glycine (M-Gly), on their antiaging effects comprising antioxidant, anti-inflammation, and skin-firming properties.