Title:Lactic Acid Bacteria and Lactic Acid for Skin Health and Melanogenesis Inhibition
VOLUME: 21 ISSUE: 7
Author(s):Huey-Chun Huang, I. Jung Lee, Chen Huang and Tsong-Min Chang*
Affiliation:Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, China Medical University, Taichung, Department of Kampo Medicine, Yokohama University of Pharmacy, Yokohama, Office of Paradigm Industrial- Academic R & D Headquarter, Hungkuang University, Taichung, Department of Applied Cosmetology, Hungkuang University, Taichung City
Keywords:Lactic acid bacteria, skin, photo-damage, melanogenesis, cosmetic, lipoteichoic acid.
Abstract:Lactic acid bacteria are beneficial to human health. Lactic acid bacteria have wide applications
in food, cosmetic and medicine industries due to being Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS)
and a multitude of therapeutic and functional properties. Previous studies have reported the beneficial
effects of lactic acid bacteria, their extracts or ferments on skin health, including improvements in skin
conditions and the prevention of skin diseases. Lipoteichoic acid isolated from Lactobacillus plantarum
was reported to inhibit melanogenesis in B16F10 melanoma cells. In particular, lipoteichoic acid
also exerted anti-photoaging effects on human skin cells by regulating the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-
1. The oral administration of Lactobacillus delbrueckii and other lactic acid bacteria has
been reported to inhibit the development of atopic diseases. Additionally, the clinical and histologic
evidence indicates that the topical application of lactic acid is effective for depigmentation and improving
the surface roughness and mild wrinkling of the skin caused by environmental photo-damage. This
review discusses recent findings on the effects of lactic acid bacteria on skin health and their specific
applications in skin-whitening cosmetics.