Natural products have many healing effects on the skin with minimal or no adverse effects. In this study, we analyzed the regenerative properties of a waste product (hydrolate) derived from Helichrysum italicum (HH) on scratch-tested skin cell populations seeded on a fluidic culture system. Helichrysum italicum has always been recognized in the traditional medicine of Mediterranean countries for its wide pharmacological activities. We recreated skin physiology with a bioreactor that mimics skin stem cell (SSCs) and fibroblast (HFF1) communication as in vivo skin layers. Dynamic culture models represent an essential instrument for recreating and preserving the complex multicellular organization and interactions of the cellular microenvironment. Both cell types were exposed to two different concentrations of HH after the scratch assay and were compared to untreated control cells. Collagen is the constituent of many wound care products that act directly on the damaged wound environment. We analyzed the role played by HH in stimulating collagen production during tissue repair, both in static and dynamic culture conditions, by a confocal microscopic analysis. In addition, we performed a gene expression analysis that revealed the activation of a molecular program of stemness in treated skin stem cells. Altogether, our results indicate a future translational application of this natural extract to support skin regeneration and define a new protocol to recreate a dynamic process of healing.

• Klíčová slova
• Helichrysum italicum, bioreactor, dynamic cultures, fibroblasts, molecular mechanisms, stem cells, tissue regeneration, wound healing,
• MeSH
• fibroblasty metabolismus   účinky léků   MeSH
• Helichrysum * chemie   MeSH
• hojení ran * účinky léků   MeSH
• kmenové buňky metabolismus   účinky léků   cytologie   MeSH
• kolagen * metabolismus   MeSH
• kultivované buňky MeSH
• kůže * metabolismus   účinky léků   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• regenerace * účinky léků   MeSH
• rostlinné extrakty * farmakologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• kolagen * MeSH
• rostlinné extrakty * MeSH

The skin is the primary tissue affected by wounds and aging, significantly impacting its protective function. Natural products are widely used in cosmetics, representing a new approach to preventing age-related damage. Nanomedicine combines nanotechnology and traditional treatments to create innovative drugs. The main targets of nanotechnological approaches are wound healing, regeneration, and rejuvenation of skin tissue. The skin barrier is not easily permeable, and the creation of modern nanodevices is a way to improve the passive penetration of substances. In this study, Helichrysum italicum oil (HO) was combined with different types of electrospun nanofibers to study their protective activity on the skin and to evaluate their future application for topical treatments. In the present research, we used biodegradable polymers, including polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), which were characterized by a scanning electron microscope (SEM). All results show a positive trend in cell proliferation and viability of human skin stem cells (SSCs) and BJ fibroblasts pre-treated with combined nanofibers and then exposed to UV stress. Gene expression analysis revealed the activation of a molecular rejuvenation program in SSCs treated with functionalized nanofibers before UV exposure. Understanding the mechanisms involved in skin changes during aging allows for the future application of nanomaterials combined with HO directly to the patients.

• Klíčová slova
• Helichrysum italicum, bioactive molecules, drug delivery, molecular mechanisms, nanofibers, nanosystem, skin aging, stem cells,
• MeSH
• biologické přípravky * farmakologie   MeSH
• hojení ran MeSH
• kůže MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nanovlákna * MeSH
• polyvinylalkohol MeSH
• stárnutí kůže * MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• biologické přípravky * MeSH
• polyvinylalkohol MeSH

Vaginal infections affect millions of women annually worldwide. Therapeutic options are limited, moreover drug-resistance increases the need to find novel antimicrobials for health promotion. Recently phytochemicals were re-discovered for medical treatment. Myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) plant extracts showed in vitro antioxidant, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties thanks to their bioactive compounds. The aim of the present study was to create novel nanodevices to deliver three natural extracts from leaves, seeds and fruit of myrtle, in vaginal milieu. We explored their effect on human cells (HeLa, Human Foreskin Fibroblast-1 line, and stem cells isolated from skin), resident microflora (Lactobacillus acidophilus) and on several vaginal pathogens (Trichomonas vaginalis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, Candida kefyr, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, Candida krusei). Polycaprolactone-Gelatin nanofibers encapsulated with leaves extract and soaked with seed extracts exhibited a different capability in regard to counteracting microbial proliferation. Moreover, these nanodevices do not affect human cells and resident microflora viability. Results reveal that some of the tested nanofibers are interesting candidates for future vaginal infection treatments.

• Klíčová slova
• antimicrobial activity, bioactive compounds, cell behavior, health promoting, myrtle, nanomaterials, plant extracts, vaginal infections,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH