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Dead Sea minerals: New findings on skin and the biology beyond
Author(s) -
PortugalCohen Meital,
Cohen Dror,
IshShalom Eliran,
LaorCosta Yaara,
Ma'or Ze'evi
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
experimental dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.108
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1600-0625
pISSN - 0906-6705
DOI - 10.1111/exd.13918
Subject(s) - involucrin , irritation , human skin , dead sea , in vivo , ex vivo , transdermal , organ culture , filaggrin , medicine , pharmacology , chemistry , in vitro , dermatology , biology , keratinocyte , immunology , biochemistry , oceanography , atopic dermatitis , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , geology
Abstract Background Therapeutic effects of Dead Sea ( DS ) minerals are well established, and their unique combination is analysed and reported. DS water ( DSW ) is a key source for DS minerals, and various studies report the capability of DSW to alleviate symptoms of different skin disorders and to contribute to skin maintenance. However, the biological mechanisms beyond reported effects are not fully understood yet. Objective To elucidate the effect of topically applied DSW via the expression of different skin biomarkers related to barrier function, homeostasis, inflammation and irritation. Methods In vitro skin equivalents and ex vivo human skin organ culture were used to assess the biological effects of DSW . Epidermal barrier protein expression and DSW ions transdermal penetration were analysed on skin equivalents. β‐endorphin secretion was tested on human skin organ culture. The capability of DSW to protect against skin inflammation and irritation was tested on ex vivo human skin organ culture by lipopolysaccharides and sodium dodecyl sulphate addition, respectively. Results Topical application of DSW encouraged the expression of the barrier‐related proteins: filaggrin, involucrin and transglutaminase, while transdermal penetration of calcium ions was not detected. Additionally, DSW application had increased skin secretion of β‐endorphin and attenuated the expression of inflammatory and irritation‐related cytokines. Conclusions This study reports new findings of DSW effects on skin. Signalling pathway activation is proposed as a key step that may result in a vast range of proven biological activities following skin exposure to DS minerals, and specifically DSW .