中国海参养殖现状与护肤功效研究进展

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2097-2806.2025.02.012

Abstract

Abstract:

The sea cucumber is a highly esteemed source of nourishment, recognized as one of the “Eight Treasures of the Sea.” The bioactive compounds derived from sea cucumbers exhibit diverse physiological activities, including anti-tumor, antioxidant, anti-coagulation, anti-viral, anti-fatigue, immune enhancement, cognitive improvement, and metabolic regulation. Notably, within the skincare sector, these compounds demonstrate significant anti-aging, moisturizing, whitening, wrinkle reduction, repair and inhibition of melanin production properties. This article assesses the current state of sea cucumber aquaculture in China and the utilization of its bioactive ingredients in skincare formulations. The objective is to furnish additional raw materials and semi-finished products for China’s skincare and pharmaceutical industries, to advance the integration of sea cucumber bioactive components within these sectors, and to invigorate the rapid development of the tropical sea cucumber breeding industry.

Key words: sea cucumber, active ingredients, skin care products, breeding, tropical sea cucumber

CLC Number:

TQ658

Chujie Zhao,Liqing Wu,Qiuxing He,Zheng Yang,Lvyangguang Ye,Lihong Yuan. Current status of sea cucumber aquaculture and the research progress on skincare benefits in China[J].China Surfactant Detergent & Cosmetics, 2025, 55(2): 225-234.

Figures/Tables 7

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

Fig. 3

Tab. 1

Common active ingredients in sea cucumbers with skincare benefits"

Category	Active ingredient	Action pathway	Reference
Saponin	Phospholipids rich in eicosapentaenoic acid （EPA’s PL）	EPA’s PL exerts significant antioxidant effects by restoring down-regulated Bcl-2 mRNA levels and up-regulating Bax, Caspase-9, and Caspase-3 mRNA expression to inhibit the mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis pathway	[34]
	Lysophosphatidylcholine	Treatment of J774A.1 macrophage cells with two types of lysophosphatidylcholine reduces the apoptosis rate induced by H₂O₂	[35]
	ganglioside	Ganglioside can restore damage caused by H₂O₂ or t-BHP while enhancing the activity of superoxide dismutase	[34]
Amino acids and peptides	Amino acids （Tyr, Trp, Arg, etc.）, peptides, and protein hydrolysates	Promotes cell proliferation and differentiation, thereby facilitating tissue repair; stimulates fibroblasts to secrete collagen, enhancing skin cell metabolism and accelerating skin repair; whitens skin and improves wrinkles	[33, 36, 47]
Polyunsaturated fatty acids	n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids （HUFA）, eicosapentaenoic acid （EPA）, and docosahexaenoic acid （DHA）	Polyunsaturated fatty acids have antioxidant capabilities and immune-modulating effects; EPA and DHA contribute to skin repair	[37, 38]
Polysaccharides	Sulfated fucoidan, sulfated chondroitin sulfate from seaweed, sulfated polysaccharide FCS	It reduces inflammation and oxidative stress; inhibits cellular melanin synthesis; moisturizes and hydrates the skin	[39, 40]
Polysaccharides	Glycosaminoglycans	The effects include anticancer and antitumor properties, inflammation inhibition and pain relief, acceleration of skin tissue repair, reduction of blood glucose and blood viscosity, prevention of blood clotting, regulation of lipid profile, lowering of triglycerides and cholesterol, anti-aging benefits, and antiviral and radioprotective effects	[40]
Vitamins	Vitamin A, Vitamin B	Vitamin A promotes cell renewal and antioxidation, while Vitamin B enhances skin barrier function, evens skin tone, and has moisturizing and anti-inflammatory effects, collectively improving skin quality	[41]

Tab. 1

Fig. 4

Tab. 2

Fig. 5

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Main classification numbers in related fields	Concrete name	Number of sea cucumber patents/pieces
A23L	Preparation or Treatment of foods or non-alcoholic beverages	1 894
A01K	Equipment and methods for animal husbandry, care of birds, fish, insects; fishing; breeding animals or obtaining their products	855
A61K	Cosmetics or pharmaceutical preparations containing active ingredients	820
A61P	Specific therapeutic activity of chemical compounds or medicinal preparations	606
A23K	Animal feeds, methods for production thereof	253
A22C	Processing of meat, poultry, or fish; preservation thereof	214
A23P	Preservation of meat, poultry, fish, eggs, fruit, vegetables, and edible seeds; Chemical Ripening of fruit or vegetables; Preservation of jams or jellies; preservation, stabilization, or emulsification of edible fats or oils not covered by other single subclasses	190
A23B	Shaping or working on edible pastes or doughs	187
C12P	Fermentation or enzyme-using processes to synthesize a desired chemical compound or composition or to separate optical isomers from a racemic mixture	181
C07K	Peptides	174

Current status of sea cucumber aquaculture and the research progress on skincare benefits in China

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