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Beneficial effects of ceramides or pseudoceramide on skin barrier functions have been repeatedly reported. Most of the studies, however, have focused on the (bio)physical properties of ceramides, in terms of skin lipids structural properties. Recently, important roles of liposensors, including peroxisome-proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) and cannabinoid receptors (CBRs), in skin homeostasis have been suggested, which implies the development potential of "biological pseudoceramide". Previously, we have reported that oleic acid containing pseudoceramide, α-oleoyl oleamide serionol (α-OOS), has an anti-inflammatory activity through CBRs activation. In this study, the effects of newly developed pseudoceramide, Ceramide HS, were investigated. While Ceramide HS also contains oleic acid moiety, it did not show significant anti-inflammatory activity, compared the α-OOS. However, topical application of Ceramide HS on the barrier disrupted skin significantly accelerated barrier recovery in acute disruption model using hairless mouse. In vitro study also showed that Ceramide HS upregulated the mRNA expressions of anti-microbial peptides (AMPs), i.e. human beta defensing and cathelicidin, in HaCaT cells. Interestingly, biomechanical analysis showed that application of Ceramide HS on damaged hair improved the mechanical strength and surface friction. Taken together, these results suggest that the newly developed pseudoceramide, Ceramide HS, have beneficial effects on both skin and hair and it might be used for scalp care products.
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