A Passiflora edulis extract with a potent stimulation of vitamin D3 synthesis in skin epidermis: in silico and in vitro

Author: Viktor Filatov, Elizaveta Patronova, Egor Ilin, Bárbara de Freitas Carli, Samara Eberlin

Published at: September 15, 2025

Vitamin D3 plays an important role in the skin. However, lack of vitamin D3 is prevalent in developed and developing countries among a population of all ages. It leads to premature dryness, hyperpigmentation, loss of elasticity and formation of wrinkles. Thus, this research was aimed at investigation of Passiflora edulis extract and its stimulation of vitamin D3 synthesis in skin under and without UVB radiation. Through in silico analysis to predict the affinity to lanosterol oxidase and vitamin D3 receptor by AutoDock, chlorogenic acid as a part of Passiflora edulis extract was chosen for a stimulation of vitamin D3 synthesis in skin. Firstly, the determination of non-cytotoxic concentration for further evaluation was performed by a colorimetric method using MTT dye. Secondly, human keratinocytes were incubated with standardized Passiflora edulis extract at 3 non-cytotoxic concentrations of 10.01, 3.17 and 1.00 mg/mL in 37°C for 72 hours. Keratinocytes were also exposed to 50 mJ/cm² of UVB. Then, the supernatant was collected for quantification of the vitamin D3 using ELISA assay. It was established that Passiflora edulis extract showed a good toxicological profile. The extract promoted the production of vitamin D3 in skin epidermal cells. Moreover, the Passiflora edulis extract at concentrations of 10.01, 3.17, and 1.00 mg/mL increased of vitamin D3 amounts up to 274.04%, 151.22%, and 125.86% respectively, compared to the basal control without UVB influence (p<0.01). As anticipated, exposure to UVB radiation exhibited significant increase in vitamin D3 up to 146% compared to the basal control (p<0.01). Nevertheless, the Passiflora edulis extract at concentrations of 10.01 and 3.17 mg/mL under UVB radiation demonstrated noteworthy effects, significantly increasing vitamin D3 up to 61.41% and 45.82% respectively, compared to the UVB positive control (p<0.05). The novel Passiflora edulis extract worked as a booster of vitamin D3 synthesis for anti-ageing effect. The obtained results confirmed that the Passiflora edulis extract enriched chlorogenic acid has a beneficial effect to stimulate the vitamin D3 synthesis in skin epidermis under or without UVB radiation. Nevertheless, additional studies of stability in formulations, dermatological tolerance in the cosmeceutical products, and clinical research of vitamin D3 level are needed to fully confirm the beneficial effects.