Researchers investigated whether oral administration of the proprietary probiotic strain Lacticaseibacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei ABF21013 could protect against ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced skin aging by influencing collagen production, hyaluronic acid secretion and skin barrier function.
The study, published in the Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, was conducted by researchers from AceBiome, the developer of L. paracasei ABF21013.
Method
The research team evaluated the effects of ABF21013 in cultured skin cells before testing the probiotic in UVB-induced hairless mice. Mice received oral ABF21013 once daily, five days a week for 12 weeks while being exposed to repeated UVB irradiation. The researchers then assessed wrinkle formation, skin hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), collagen content, pro-collagen production, hyaluronic acid secretion and the expression of genes and proteins associated with skin aging and barrier function.
Findings
The results showed that the probiotic reduced visible signs of UV-induced skin aging, including wrinkle formation, TEWL and skin thickness, while improving skin hydration and increasing collagen content.
“These results indicate that ABF21013 can regulate wrinkle formation through the enhancement of collagen,” the authors said.
The probiotic also increased pro-collagen production, hyaluronic acid secretion and the expression of proteins involved in skin barrier function. Mechanistically, ABF21013 reduced the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), enzymes that break down collagen, and activated EGFR signaling, a pathway involved in skin repair and regeneration.
Conclusion
The results are based on cell culture experiments and a mouse model, and further clinical research is needed to determine whether similar effects are observed in humans.
“These findings suggest that ABF21013 is a promising therapeutic candidate in addressing UVB-induced photoaging through its capability of improving skin barrier integrity and hydration properties,” the researchers said.
They went on to suggest future trials to investigate whether the probiotic works synergistically with other probiotics, postbiotics or topical ingredients to further enhance skin repair through HAS-1 and HAS-2 regulation, which help produce hyaluronic acid in the skin. The authors also recommended longer-term studies of at least 12 weeks to evaluate its effects on collagen homeostasis, chronic inflammation and epigenetic and post-translational changes.
Join us
The study comes as interest in the beauty-from-within category continues to grow. NutraIngredients will examine the latest developments shaping the category during its upcoming beauty-from-within webinar on July 16.
You can register here to watch live on Thursday or on-demand at a later date.
Source: Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology (2026). doi.org/10.4014/jmb.2026.3604.C04 “Beneficial Effects of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei ABF21013 on Skin Health by Regulating MMPs Production and EGFR Signal Pathway,” Authors: S. Lee, et al.