The in vitro effects of black soldier fly larvae (Hermitia illucens) oil as a high-functional active ingredient for inhibiting hyaluronidase, anti-oxidation benefits, whitening, and UVB protection

Rungsinee Phongpradist; Warathit Semmarath; Kanokwan Kiattisin; Jutamas Jiaranaikulwanitch; Wantida Chaiyana; Siripat Chaichit; Yuthana Phimolsiripol; Pornngarm Dejkriengkraikul; Chadarat Ampasavate

doi:10.3389/fphar.2023.1243961

The in vitro effects of black soldier fly larvae (Hermitia illucens) oil as a high-functional active ingredient for inhibiting hyaluronidase, anti-oxidation benefits, whitening, and UVB protection

Front Pharmacol. 2023 Sep 20:14:1243961. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1243961. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Rungsinee Phongpradist^#¹, Warathit Semmarath^#^{2

3}, Kanokwan Kiattisin¹, Jutamas Jiaranaikulwanitch¹, Wantida Chaiyana^{1

4}, Siripat Chaichit^{1

4}, Yuthana Phimolsiripol⁵, Pornngarm Dejkriengkraikul^{6

7

8}, Chadarat Ampasavate^{1

4

6}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
² Akkhraratchakumari Veterinary College, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand.
³ Centre for One Health, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand.
⁴ Center of Excellence in Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
⁵ Division of Product Development Technology, Faculty of Agro-Industry, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
⁶ Center for Research and Development of Natural Products for Health, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
⁷ Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
⁸ Anticarcinogenesis and Apoptosis Research Cluster, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.

^# Contributed equally.

Abstract

Objective: Larvae of Hermitia illucens, or black soldier fly larvae (BSFL), have been recognized for their high lipid yield with a remarkable fatty acid profile. BSFL oil (SFO) offers the added value of a low environmental footprint and a sustainable product. In this study, the characteristics and cosmetic-related activities of SFO were investigated and compared with rice bran oil, olive oil and krill oil which are commonly used in cosmetics and supplements. Methods: The physicochemical characteristics were determined including acid value, saponification value, unsaponifiable matter and water content of SFO. The fatty acid composition was determined using GC-MS equipped with TR-FAME. The in vitro antioxidant properties were determined using DPPH, FRAP and lipid peroxidation inhibition assays. Antihyaluronidase (anti-HAase) activity was measured by detecting enzyme activity and molecular docking of candidate compounds toward the HAase enzyme. The safety assessment towards normal human cells was determined using the MTT assay and the UVB protection upon UVB-irradiated fibroblasts was determined using the DCF-DA assay. The whitening effect of SFO was determined using melanin content inhibition. Results: SFO contains more than 60% polyunsaturated fatty acids followed by saturated fatty acids (up to 37%). The most abundant component found in SFO was linoleic acid (C18:2 n-6 cis). Multiple anti-oxidant mechanisms of SFO were discovered. In addition, SFO and krill oil prevented hyaluronic acid (HA) degradation via strong HAase inhibition comparable with the positive control, oleanolic acid. The molecular docking confirmed the binding interactions and molecular recognition of major free fatty acids toward HAase. Furthermore, SFO exhibited no cytotoxicity on primary human skin fibroblasts, HaCaT keratinocytes and PBMCs (IC₅₀ values > 200 μg/mL). SFO possessed significant in-situ anti-oxidant activity in UVB-irradiated fibroblasts and the melanin inhibition activity as effective as well-known anti-pigmenting compounds (kojic acid and arbutin, p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study provides scientific support for various aspects of SFO. SFO can be considered an alternative oil ingredient in cosmetic products with potential implications for anti-skin aging, whitening and UVB protection properties, making it a potential candidate oil in the cosmetic industry.

Keywords: Hermitia illucens; UV protection; anti-oxidation; black soldier fly; cosmetic application; hyaluronidase inhibition; oil; whitening.

Grants and funding

This research project was supported by the Office of National Higher Education Science Research and Innovation Policy Council (NXPO) under Spearhead Project, Thailand.