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Biological properties of mud extracts derived from various spa resorts

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Abstract

Spa resorts are known for thousands of years for their healing properties and have been empirically used for the treatment of many inflammatory conditions. Mud is one of the most often used natural materials for preventive, healing and cosmetic reasons and although it has been used since the antiquity, little light has been shed on its physical, chemical and biological properties. In this study we examined the effect of mud extracts on the expression of adhesion molecules (CAMs) by endothelial cells as well as their effects on monocyte adhesion to activated endothelial cells. Most of mud extracts inhibited the expression of VCAM-1 by endothelial cells and reduced monocyte adhesion to activated endothelial cells, indicating a potent anti-inflammatory activity. Furthermore, the mud extracts were tested for their antimicrobial activity; however, most of them appeared inactive against S. aureus and S. epidermidis. One of the mud extracts (showing the best stabilization features) increased significantly the expression of genes involved in cell protection, longevity and hydration of human keratinocytes, such as, collagen 6A1, forkhead box O3, sirtuin-1, superoxide dismutase 1 and aquaporin-3. The present study reveals that mud exerts important beneficial effects including anti-inflammatory and anti-aging activity as well as moisturizing effects, implicating important cosmeceutical applications.

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Abbreviations

AD:

Atopic dermatitis

AQP3:

Aquaporin-3

Col6A1:

Collagen 6A1

FOXO3:

Forkhead box

HAEC:

Human aortic endothelial cells

ICAM:

Intracellular adhesion molecule

VCAM:

Vascular cell adhesion molecule

MTT:

3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide

SIRT1:

Sirtuin-1

SOD1:

Superoxide dismutase

TNF:

Tumor necrosis factor

αΤ3:

α-Tocotrienol

BCECF-AM:

20,70-Bis-(2-carboxyethyl)-5-(and-6)-carboxy-fluorescein acetoxymethyl ester

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Acknowledgments

We thank the Greek Secretariat of Research and Technology, Greek Ministry of Education and Religion (ISR_3163) in cooperation with the company Apivita S.A. We also thank Mr. Georgio Georgiadi from the company Physis & Ousia for providing the mud samples from Messologi and Ms. Liora Chilron from the company Anna Lotan for providing the mud sample from Israel that greatly assisted our research.

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    Authors and Affiliations

    1. Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, M. Asias 75, 11527, Athens, Greece

      Eliana Spilioti, Margarita Vargiami, Eva Kassi & Paraskevi Moutsatsou

    2. Scientific Affairs Department, APIVITA SA, Industrial Park of Markopoulo Mesogaias, 19003, Athens, Greece

      Sophia Letsiou & Konstantinos Gardikis

    3. Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Patras and FORTH-ICEHT Patras, 26504, Patras, Greece

      Varvara Sygouni & Petros Koutsoukos

    4. Laboratory of Pharmacognosy and Chemistry of Natural Products, Department of Pharmacy, University of Athens, Panepistimioupolis, 15771, Athens, Greece

      Ioanna Chinou

    5. Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Medical School, University Hospital “Attiko”, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 1 Rimini, Chaidari, 12462, Athens, Greece

      Paraskevi Moutsatsou

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    1. Eliana Spilioti
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    Eliana Spilioti and Margarita Vargiami have contributed equally to this work.

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    Spilioti, E., Vargiami, M., Letsiou, S. et al. Biological properties of mud extracts derived from various spa resorts. Environ Geochem Health 39, 821–833 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-016-9852-y

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