Gene expression of Sargassum micracanthum extracts on human deraml fibroblast cells

Sargassum micracanthum, a brown macroalga rich in bioactive metabolites, has been widely recognized for its pharmacological potential. However, its role in collagen production and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling for skin regeneration remains largely unexplored. Therefore, this study examined the effects of S. micracanthum ethanolic extract on collagen-related pathways in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) through RNA sequencing and in vitro analysis. A total of 657 differentially expressed genes were identified, including 15 associated with collagen synthesis. Notably, COL4A1, COL4A2, COL5A3, and COL18A1 were significantly upregulated in the extract-treated group. Gene ontology analysis revealed enrichment in collagen-related terms, while WikiPathway analysis indicated upregulation of growth-factor-related pathways, which are crucial for cell proliferation, ECM remodeling, and tissue regeneration. In vitro experiments demonstrated a dose-dependent increase in collagen production, with a significant enhancement observed at 100 μg/mL (p < 0.05). These findings demonstrate the potential applicability of S. micracanthum in skin regeneration and biomedical therapies.