Design, synthesis, and evaluation of β-galactosylceramide mimics promoting β-glucocerebrosidase activity in keratinocytes

Abstract We have established an efficient synthesis of mimics of β-galactosylceramide (β-GalCer) increasing a β-glucocerebrosidase (β-GlcCer'ase) activity that associates with the skin barrier function. Among the synthetic β-GalCer analogues ( 6a–6e ) described herein, compound 6e exhibited a potent effect on the activation of β-GlcCer'ase function in vitro and reduced the transepidermal water loss (TEWL) level in a UVB-induced barrier disrupted mice model. These findings indicated that compound 6e could be useful for cosmetics and medicines to improve skin barrier function.