## 3 Results and Discussion
### Skin Anti-Wrinkling Effects of SP
In addition to its mechanical role, it has a signaling function and contributes to the organization of the ECM, influencing the structure of the epidermis and dermis. COL1A1 synthesizes the alpha-1 chain of collagen type I [31; 32]. The reduction in dermal collagen levels in UVB-irradiated skin is a key factor in photoaging, as UVB exposure decreases COL1A1 expression and suppresses collagen synthesis [32]. Figure 5: Collagen levels in UVB-irradiated human skin fibroblasts subjected to different treatments. PCB, PCB standard; SP, the PCB extract from _Arthrospin maxima_, prepared by water extraction using ultrasonication at room temperature followed by ethanolic extraction at 70 \({}^{\circ}\)C; WB, the wheat bran extract prepared by water extraction at 4 \({}^{\circ}\)C for eight hours; SPWB, a mixture of SP and WB containing the same amounts of PCB and SP. TGF-81 (0.1 ng/mL) was used as a positive control. The mean \(\pm\) SD values for triplicate experiments are shown; error bars represent the SD. ***\(p\) < 0.001 compared with the control (UV+) group. To determine the effects of the SPWB on the expression levels of collagen type I \(\alpha\)1 (Col1A1), we analyzed its mRNA levels in UVB-irradiated cells. As shown in Figure 7, the mRNA levels of Col1A1 decreased following UVB irradiation, whereas they increased in the treatment with the positive control, TGF\(\beta\)1. However, SPWB treatment upregulated the expression of Col1A1 compared with that in the UV(+) group (\(p<0.001\)). PCB increased collagen expression to a level similar to that of the SPWB treatment (\(p<0.001\)). UVB-induced generation of ROS leads to the collapse of dermal fibroblasts via collagen fragmentation. The resulting fibroblast collapse produces more ROS and activates the c-Jun/AP-1 complex, which subsequently upregulates MMPs and downregulates TGF-\(\beta\) signaling. Additionally, MMP-1 suppresses collagen synthesis by degrading type I collagen and negatively affecting COL1A1 expression [28; 31]. Thus, we analyzed the MMP-1 mRNA levels in UVB-irradiated skin fibroblasts treated with the extracts. SPWB and PCB decreased the mRNA levels of MMP-1 compared with those in the UV(+) group (\(p<0.01\)). The MMP-1 mRNA levels in fibroblasts treated with 0.1 g/mL SPWB were lower than in those treated with 0.1 mg/mL PCB. We believe that the effect of PCB may be enhanced upon WB addition because of the stabilization of PCB and the synergistic effects of various substances, such as soluble globulin and polyphenols, present in WB. Our findings suggest that various types of albumin and other substances in WB help stabilize PCB in the extracts and attenuate its cytotoxicity. Additionally, SPWB improved skin wrinkling and exhibited synergistic effects of PCB and SP. However, this hypothesis was not fully explored in the present study. Future research should elucidate the interaction between PCB in SP and WB and investigate the involvement of the c-Jun/AP-1 and TGF-\(\beta\) signaling pathways in mediating the observed effects. Figure 6: Inhibition of MMP-1 expression in UVB-irradiated human skin fibroblasts subjected to different treatments. PCB, PCB standard; SP, the PCB extract from _Arthrospira maxima_, prepared by water extraction using ultrasonication at room temperature followed by ethanolic extraction at 70 \({}^{\circ}\)C; WB, the wheat bran extract prepared by water extraction at 4 \({}^{\circ}\)C for eight hours; SPWB, a mixture of SP and WB containing the same amounts of PCB and SP. Retinol (0.1% _w/v_) was used as a positive control. The mean \(\pm\) SD values for separate triplicate experiments are shown; error bars represent the SD. \({}^{***}p<0.001\) compared with the control (UV+) group.