Natural sunscreen compounds show potential to support skin health and blood pressure
Study reveals that algae-based UV protectants also act as antioxidants and block a key enzyme linked to aging and hypertension
Meijo University
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Structural differences between GlcHMS326 and porphyra-334 may influence multiple bioactivities, including antioxidant and antiglycative effects, collagenase inhibition, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition, a newly identified physiological function of mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs).
view moreCredit: Professor Hakuto Kageyama from the Graduate School of Environmental and Human Sciences, Meijo University, Japan
Researchers have discovered that natural “sunscreen” compounds found in algae and cyanobacteria may also support skin and heart health. By comparing two mycosporine-like amino acids, the team showed for the first time that these molecules can block a key enzyme involved in blood pressure control in laboratory tests, while also offering antioxidant and anti-aging effects. The findings open new possibilities for cosmetics and functional foods based on nature-derived ingredients.
Natural compounds produced by seaweeds and microscopic organisms have long helped these species survive intense sunlight. Known as mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs), these molecules act as natural sunscreens by absorbing harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation and protecting cells from damage. Because of this ability, MAAs have attracted growing interest from scientists and cosmetic companies seeking safer, nature-based alternatives to synthetic UV filters. However, researchers are now discovering that these compounds may do much more than a shield against the sun.
The new study, published online on January 19, 2026, in Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry, suggests that MAAs may also support skin health and help regulate processes linked to blood pressure. The study was led by Professor Hakuto Kageyama from the Graduate School of Environmental and Human Sciences, Meijo University, Japan. Prof. Kageyama says, “We discovered that MAAs can inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme, suggesting a previously unrecognized potential for blood-pressure–related health benefits.”
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) plays an important role in controlling blood pressure by regulating how blood vessels tighten and relax. Many commonly prescribed medicines for hypertension work by blocking this enzyme. Finding ACE-inhibiting activity in naturally occurring compounds is therefore of strong interest in nutrition and health research. MAAs are produced by algae and cyanobacteria as part of their natural defense system against sunlight. While more than 70 types of MAAs have been identified, most commercial products rely on only a few well-known forms. Many chemically modified versions remain poorly understood, even though small structural changes can strongly affect how these molecules behave in the body.
To explore this, the research team compared two MAAs with different chemical structures. One was porphyra-334, a typical MAA commonly found in edible seaweed. The other was GlcHMS326, an atypically modified MAA that contains additional chemical groups. These modifications slightly alter the molecule’s shape and properties. The researchers first purified both compounds from natural sources. Porphyra-334 was extracted from dried seaweed, while GlcHMS326 was isolated from a cyanobacterium collected from a hot spring in Thailand. They then tested how the compounds responded to heat and light and evaluated their biological activities using established laboratory methods.
Several experiments focused on antioxidant activity, which reflects a compound’s ability to neutralize unstable molecules called free radicals. These molecules can damage cells and contribute to aging and disease. The team found that GlcHMS326 acted as a strong but slow-working antioxidant, suggesting sustained rather than immediate activity, while porphyra-334 showed weaker antioxidant effects.
The researchers also examined antiglycation activity. Glycation is a process in which sugar molecules bind to proteins, reducing their flexibility and function. This process plays a role in skin aging and some chronic diseases. In these tests, porphyra-334 was more effective than GlcHMS326 at preventing protein damage.
In addition, both MAAs were tested for their ability to block collagenase, an enzyme that breaks down collagen and contributes to wrinkle formation. GlcHMS326 showed stronger collagenase inhibition, suggesting potential anti-aging benefits.
One of the most notable findings came from experiments on ACE inhibition. Both compounds reduced the activity of this enzyme in laboratory tests, marking the first report of such an effect for MAAs. Although the observed effects were moderate and measured outside the human body, the discovery opens a new direction for future research. “Our data further support their potential as multifunctional ‘natural sunscreen’ ingredients,” says Prof. Kageyama. “Chemical modifications can substantially shift their functional profiles.”
The researchers emphasize that their findings are based on controlled laboratory experiments. Further studies are needed to determine whether similar effects occur in living organisms and whether practical doses can be achieved through food or cosmetic products. Still, the results are encouraging. Porphyra-334 is abundant in edible seaweed, which is already consumed widely in many countries. This raises the possibility that everyday foods may contain underappreciated bioactive compounds worthy of further health-related research.
Overall, the study provides new insight into how natural sun-protective molecules can serve multiple biological roles. By revealing how small chemical differences shape their activity, the research lays the groundwork for developing next-generation cosmetic products and functional foods inspired by nature.
About Meijo University
Meijo University traces its origin back to the establishment of the Nagoya Science and Technology Course in 1926, giving it a proud history of more than 90 years. As one of the largest universities in the Chubu region, Meijo University is a comprehensive learning institution that supports a wide range of academic fields from the humanities to physical sciences. With a network of more than 200,000 graduates and alumni, it strives to contribute not only to local industries but also to international communities in various fields. Meijo University is also known as the birthplace of the carbon nanotube. To foster the human resources of the next generation, the university continues to tackle ongoing challenges by further enhancing its campus and creating new faculties.
Website: https://www.meijo-u.ac.jp/english/
About Professor Hakuto Kageyama from the Graduate School of Environmental and Human Sciences, Meijo University
Professor Hakuto Kageyama is the Dean of the Graduate School of Environmental and Human Sciences at Meijo University, Japan. He earned his Ph.D. from Nagoya University and was awarded the KOSÉ Cosmetology Award by the KOSÉ Cosmetology Research Foundation in 2021. He specializes in stress biology, cyanobacteria, and natural product development. His research focuses on environmental response mechanisms, metabolic engineering, and the functional analysis of useful compounds, such as UV absorbers, for agricultural and medical applications.
Funding information
This work was supported in part by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science KAKENHI (Grant Number: 24K08623) and the Thailand Science Research and Innovation fund Chulalongkorn University (FOOD_FF_68_121_2300_022).
Filamentous cyanobacteria produce mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) that protect cells from ultraviolet radiation and serve as the natural source of the compounds examined in this study.
Credit
Argonne National Laboratory from Openverse
Journal
Bioscience Biotechnology and Biochemistry
Method of Research
Experimental study
Subject of Research
Not applicable
Article Title
Comparative Functional Evaluation of the Atypically Modified GlcHMS326 and Porphyra-334, Two Structurally Distinct Mycosporine-Like Amino Acids
Article Publication Date
29-Jan-2026
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