Hydrolyzed Euglena extract promotes the proliferation of epidermal cells of the skin,
Confirmed the possibility of strengthening the barrier function of the skin
-Published in "Fragrance Journal" published on October 15th (Monday)-

Euglena Co., Ltd.

Euglena Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, President: Mitsuru Izumo) uses hydrolyzed Euglena extract ^{* 1} (hereinafter, Euglena extract) extracted from the microalga Euglena (Japanese name: Euglena, hereinafter Euglena) on human skin. It was confirmed that the addition to epidermal cells promotes the proliferation of epidermal cells of the skin and the gene expression and synthesis of filaggrin involved in the barrier function of the skin.
* 1 Hydrolyzed Euglena extract: An extract extracted from Euglena by hydrolysis.

■ Background and purpose
　Human skin is the organ that separates living tissue from the outside world. The outermost epidermis of the skin protects the skin from the invasion of bacteria from the outside world and has a barrier function to prevent excessive evaporation of water from the body. It has been clarified that this skin barrier function is ^{imparted by a protein called filaggrin * 2}, and if filaggrin gene expression ^{* 3} and synthesis are promoted, the skin barrier function may be strengthened. .. In addition, when the proliferation of epidermal cells of the skin is promoted, old keratin is removed by turnover (metabolism) and the skin is kept healthy.
　This time, we conducted an evaluation study to confirm the promotion of epidermal cell proliferation and the promotion of filaggrin gene expression and synthesis by Euglena
* 2 Filaggrin: One of the proteins produced from the granule cells of the epidermis. Not only is it an indispensable component of the stratum corneum in the skin barrier function, but it is also involved in moisturizing the skin as a natural moisturizing component.
* 3 Gene expression: The genetic information possessed by a gene appears concretely through the synthesis of proteins with various biological functions.

■ Research content
　We set the group to which Euglena extract was added and the group to which it was not added (control) to the epidermal cells of human skin, and measured the proliferation rate of the epidermal cells after 3 to 5 days. Furthermore, the expression level of the filaggrin gene was measured by the real-time PCR method ^{* 4}, and the amount of filaggrin synthesis was measured by the Western blotting method ^{* 5}.
* 4 Real-time PCR method: A technology that can analyze the expression level of genes.
* 5 Western blotting method: A technology that can analyze the expression level of proteins.

■ Results
　Euglena extract was added to the epidermal cells of human skin, the proliferation of the epidermal cells of the skin was promoted as the concentration of the Euglena In addition, gene expression (Fig. 2) and synthesis (Fig. 3) of filaggrin were promoted in the group to which Euglena
　These results Euglena extract may promote epidermal cell proliferation and improve skin turnover, and may enhance skin barrier function by promoting filaggrin gene expression and synthesis. .. The results of this research were published in the "Fragrance Journal" published on October 15th (Monday).

　　 　　　　　　　　Figure 1: Cell proliferation rate of human epidermal cells

　　 　　　　　　　Figure 2: Gene expression level of filaggrin　　 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Figure 3: Amount of filaggrin synthesized

　We will continue to carry out research and development with the aim of utilizing Euglena

<About microalgae Euglena >
　Microalgae Euglena (Japanese name: Euglena) is a type of alga that has the characteristics of both plants and animals and contains abundant types of nutrients such as vitamins and minerals in a well-balanced manner. In 2005, Euglena Co., Ltd. succeeded in mass edible outdoor culture for the first time in the world.

​ ​

-Contact for inquiries from the press-
Euglena Co., Ltd. Corporate Communication Division