Abstract
Fructan, a polysaccharide existing in plants or produced by microorganisms, is a sugar polymer of fructose with $\beta$-2,6 linkages. In this study, we investigated some cosmeceutical properties of Fructan such as moisturizing effect, cell proliferation effect, anti-inflammation effect and cell cytotoxicity. Zymomonas mobilis, a microorganism producing Fructan, was cultured in a medium containing 10％ sucrose and 2％ yeast extract as main components for 24 hours at 37$^{\circ}C$ and pH 7. Fructan was obtained by precipitation from the cultured medium by adding alcohol (alcohol ratio of 1:3) after removing the enzyme by centrifuging. Fructan exhibited almost same moisturizing effect as hyaluronic acid and cell proliferation effect on human fibroblast and keratinocyte as well. Moreover, on cell proliferation test on bio-artificial skin constructed by 3-dimensional(3-D) culture after inducing primary skin inflammation with 0.5％ sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), the 3-D artificial skin treated with 0.01 mg/ml, 0.05mg/ml of Fructan exhibited higher cell proliferation than the 3-D artificial skin treated with SLS only. On anti-inflammation test on 3-D artificial skin evaluated by measuring secreted quantity of interleukin-1$\alpha$ (IL-1$\alpha$) which is a pre-inflammatory mediator induced by SLS, the quantity of IL-1$\alpha$on the 3-D artificial skin treated with 0.01 mg/ml, 0.05mg/ml of Fructan was less than the one on the 3-D artificial skin treated with SLS only. As a result of these studies, Fructan has anti-inflammation effect against inflammatory reaction by a skin irritant as well as cell proliferation effect in bio-artificial skin. Fructan was also evaluated as a safe material without any toxicity in safety tests using fibroblasts and animals.