BACKGROUND: Chia seeds have gained importance as it is the highest known plant source of omega-3 (ω3) polyunsaturated fatty acids. Specifically, chia seeds possess ω3 α-linolenic acid (ALA) and ω6 linoleic acid (LA), together known as Vitamin F, which play an important role in maintaining skin function. Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a master regulatory protein that plays a critical role in skin barrier function and its activity is modulated by natural lipids.

AIMS: Obtain a chia seed extract (HYVIA™) with significant higher levels of Vitamin F, determine in vitro PP2A activity and skin hydration markers compared to other commercial chia seed extracts (CCSEs), and evaluate the potential skin hydration benefits clinically in human subjects.

METHODS: A PP2A demethylation assay was utilized to assess PP2A activity. In vitro studies utilizing normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs) were treated with HYVIA™ and gene expression of hydration markers (AQP3, HAS2) were measured by quantitative PCR (qPCR). A 16-subject clinical trial was performed with 0.1% HYVIA™ formulated in a cream and applied topically to assess its skin moisturizing potential.

RESULTS: We demonstrate here that HYVIA™, ALA, and LA inhibit PP2A demethylation, boosting PP2A activity, while most other CCSEs do not. Unlike other CCSEs, HYVIA™ increases keratinocyte hydration factors aquaporin-3 and hyaluronic acid synthase-2 in vitro. Clinical assessment of 0.1% HYVIA™ cream shows that HYVIA™ improves skin hydration.

CONCLUSIONS: HYVIA™ is a novel chia seed extract, enriched for Vitamin F, that modulates PP2A activity and clinically improves skin hydration and barrier function.