Zeng Meijun, Li Yang, Cheng Jie, Wang Jingyu, Liu Qiyu
Meat Processing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, China.
National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Energy Plant Biofuel Preparation and Utilization, College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China.
Antioxidants (Basel). 2025 Jun 18;14(6):754. doi: 10.3390/antiox14060754.
Prebiotic oligosaccharides have attracted significant interest in dermatology and skin health due to their ability to modulate the skin microbiome and microbiota-host interactions. This review offers a novel dual perspective, systematically examining the benefits of both oral intake and topical application of prebiotic oligosaccharides, including well-established prebiotics (e.g., human milk oligosaccharides, galacto- and fructo-oligosaccharides) and emerging prebiotic candidates (e.g., gluco-oligosaccharides, chitosan-oligosaccharides, agaro-oligosaccharides). First, cutting-edge synthetic processes for producing diverse oligosaccharides and their structural chemistry are introduced. Then, we discuss in vitro studies demonstrating their efficacy in promoting skin commensals, inhibiting pathogens, and conferring protective effects, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-melanogenic, and wound-healing properties. Furthermore, we emphasize in vivo animal studies and clinical trials revealing that prebiotic oligosaccharides, administered orally or topically, alleviate atopic dermatitis, enhance skin hydration, attenuate acne, and protect against photo-aging by modulating skin-gut microbiota and immune responses. Mechanistically, we integrate genetic and molecular insights to elucidate how oligosaccharides mediate these benefits, including gut-skin axis crosstalk, immune regulation, and microbial metabolite signaling. Finally, we highlight current commercial applications of oligosaccharides in cosmetic formulations while addressing scientific and practical challenges, such as structure-function relationships, clinical scalability, and regulatory considerations. This review bridges mechanistic understanding with practical applications, offering a comprehensive resource for advancing prebiotic oligosaccharides-based skincare therapies.
益生元低聚糖因其调节皮肤微生物群和微生物群与宿主相互作用的能力而在皮肤病学和皮肤健康领域引起了广泛关注。本综述提供了一个全新的双重视角，系统地研究了口服和局部应用益生元低聚糖的益处，包括成熟的益生元（如人乳低聚糖、半乳糖和果寡糖）和新兴的益生元候选物（如葡萄糖低聚糖、壳聚糖低聚糖、琼脂低聚糖）。首先，介绍了生产多种低聚糖的前沿合成工艺及其结构化学。然后，我们讨论了体外研究，这些研究证明了它们在促进皮肤共生菌、抑制病原体以及赋予保护作用（如抗氧化、抗炎、抗黑素生成和伤口愈合特性）方面的功效。此外，我们强调了体内动物研究和临床试验，这些研究表明，口服或局部应用益生元低聚糖可通过调节皮肤-肠道微生物群和免疫反应来缓解特应性皮炎、增强皮肤水合作用、减轻痤疮并预防光老化。从机制上讲，我们整合了遗传和分子方面的见解，以阐明低聚糖如何介导这些益处，包括肠-皮轴串扰、免疫调节和微生物代谢物信号传导。最后，我们强调了低聚糖在化妆品配方中的当前商业应用，同时解决了科学和实际挑战，如结构-功能关系、临床可扩展性和监管考虑因素。本综述将机制理解与实际应用联系起来，为推进基于益生元低聚糖的皮肤护理疗法提供了全面的资源。
