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Abstract Studies have indicated the potential of oral elastin hydrolysates in repairing photoaging skin. To reveal the underlying mechanism, this study examined how two elastin‐derived peptides (Gly‐Leu‐Gly‐Pro‐Gly‐Val‐Gly [GLGPGVG] and Pro‐Tyr [PY]) repair ultraviolet (UV)‐induced damage in human foreskin fibroblasts (HFFs) and explored their digestive stability using UPLC‐MS/MS. Results showed that UV‐damaged HFFs treated with GLGPGVG showed higher superoxide dismutases (SOD) activity and cell viability compared with PY treatment. Furthermore, GLGPGVG even reversed UV‐induced increase in reactive oxygen species, MMP‐12 (elastase), elastin mRNA and intercellular Ca2+ levels, and decrease in elastin content. Intriguingly, in vitro digestion products from GLGPGVG retained approximately 60% of elastase inhibitory activity. Furthermore, a portion of GLGPGVG was observed to pass through the Caco‐2 monolayer intact. These findings revealed that elastin‐derived peptide GLGPGVG holds promise for passing through the gastrointestinal tract and exerting protective effects against photoaging through increasing SOD activity and inhibiting MMP‐12 expression.

The structure-bioactivity relationship of Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides (TFPs) in anti-aging in vivo is rarely reported. In the present study, a purified TFP, named HM, mainly composed of mannose, fucose, xylose, and glucose in a molar ratio of 4.14:0.98:0.81:0.62, was obtained from the fruiting body of T. fuciformis . Subsequently, two differentially degraded TFPs, named MM and LM, respectively, were prepared by a combined method of ultrasonic irradiation (US) and H 2 O 2 treatment. Their structural properties, scavenging activities against free radicals in vitro , and anti-aging effects on D-galactose-induced aging of mice were determined. The average molecular weight of HM, MM, and LM was 58.3×10 6 , 4.68×10 6 , and 3.14×10 5 Da, respectively. All three TFPs were devoid of triple helix conformation and exhibited concentration- and molecular weight-dependent scavenging activity against radicals. The TFPs markedly relieved skin aging, effectively attenuated oxidative stress, and significantly decreased inflammation in D-galactose-induced aging mice. MM exhibited the best anti-aging effect among the TFPs. Additionally, TFPs partially restored the alterations in pH and the total content of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the colon but exhibited various impacts on the content of the individual SCFAs. These findings would provide rational guidance for a better application of TFPs in anti-aging foods and expand our understanding of the structure-function relationship of mushroom polysaccharides.