Synergy efficacy on skin firming and elasticity using a 3D reconstructed skin aging model from acetyl hexapeptide-8 and acetyl tetrapeptide-2 combination
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Presented by: Xia Jiang
Introduction: Peptides are one of the most commonly used active ingredients in cosmetic products thanks to the high stability and biocompatibility, low molecular weight, clear mode of action and high efficiency[1]. While the action mechanism for single peptide may be clear, the efficacy of peptide combinations is complicated. The efficacy could be maximized or minimized and deserve to further explore.
Acetyl hexapeptide-8 is a well-known INCI from the 1st ingredient (Argireline® peptide) to competitively interfere the assembly of SNARE complex and deliver the visible anti-wrinkles efficacy. A new peptide with same INCI but with different amino acid sequence was designed with a strong affinity to interfere the SNARE complex and reduce the neurotransmitters at the pre-synaptic level, reduce the force of contractions while helping the muscle relax faster and more completely afterward. Moreover, the peptide is found to inhibit SASPs (senescence associated secretory phenotype) which enables inhibiting cellular senescence in all skin layers to deliver muti-level anti-aging efficacy. To explore the possibility to strength skin firmness, another peptide, acetyl tetrapeptide-2 is combined. Acetyl tetrapeptide-2 is designed to modulate the skin architecture via augment the activity of FBLN5 and LOX1, upregulate the collagen gene expression and promote elastin synthesis and collagen I synthesis.
In this work, in vitro efficacy of the acetyl hexapeptide-8 and acetyl tetrapeptide-2 combination was evaluated on skin firming and elasticity using a 3D reconstructed skin aging model.
Methods: A 3D aging full-thickness skin model was reconstructed with normal human cutaneous cells from aged donor (>40 years old). The different combinations of peptides were topically applied for 8 days on the 3D reconstructed full-thickness aging skin samples once epidermal maturation was reached.
Extracellular matrix was analyzed by Masson’s trichrome staining. The Expression of collagen I, collagen IV, Fibrillin-1 and Elastin were determined by immunohistochemical staining analysis.
Results: Compared to placebo, the peptide combination significantly improved extracellular matrix development by 10.4% and increased elastin expression by 87.2%.
Compared to Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, the peptide combination showed a significant increase in type I collagen, type IV collagen, fibrillin-1 expression in the dermis.
Discussion and Conclusion: Previous research demonstrates the new acetyl hexapeptide-8 provides superior activity attenuating muscle contraction and speed-up the muscle relaxation to help recover a relaxed skin appearance after making facial expressions. Its efficacy further regulates the senescence process that drives loss of functionality and age-related changes in all skin layers. The current research verified its efficacy to promote collagen I expression, interestingly findings, it promotes collagen IV, fibrilin-1 and elastin activity, indicating significantly to promote ECM structures benefit to skin firmness improvement.
The combination of acetyl hexapeptide-8 and acetyl tetrapeptide-2 showed a significant enhancement in type I and type IV collagen, as well as fibrillin-1 levels when compared to single peptide alone. Fibrillin-1 is functionalized as the scaffold for elastin to form fibril. The co-staining of fibrillin-1 and elastin shows characteristic co-location, demonstrate the improved synergy between two test ingredients. A maximized in vivo anti-ageing effect, including skin firmness and skin elasticity, is speculated with the peptide combination in skincare products.
Acetyl hexapeptide-8 is a well-known INCI from the 1st ingredient (Argireline® peptide) to competitively interfere the assembly of SNARE complex and deliver the visible anti-wrinkles efficacy. A new peptide with same INCI but with different amino acid sequence was designed with a strong affinity to interfere the SNARE complex and reduce the neurotransmitters at the pre-synaptic level, reduce the force of contractions while helping the muscle relax faster and more completely afterward. Moreover, the peptide is found to inhibit SASPs (senescence associated secretory phenotype) which enables inhibiting cellular senescence in all skin layers to deliver muti-level anti-aging efficacy. To explore the possibility to strength skin firmness, another peptide, acetyl tetrapeptide-2 is combined. Acetyl tetrapeptide-2 is designed to modulate the skin architecture via augment the activity of FBLN5 and LOX1, upregulate the collagen gene expression and promote elastin synthesis and collagen I synthesis.
In this work, in vitro efficacy of the acetyl hexapeptide-8 and acetyl tetrapeptide-2 combination was evaluated on skin firming and elasticity using a 3D reconstructed skin aging model.
Methods: A 3D aging full-thickness skin model was reconstructed with normal human cutaneous cells from aged donor (>40 years old). The different combinations of peptides were topically applied for 8 days on the 3D reconstructed full-thickness aging skin samples once epidermal maturation was reached.
Extracellular matrix was analyzed by Masson’s trichrome staining. The Expression of collagen I, collagen IV, Fibrillin-1 and Elastin were determined by immunohistochemical staining analysis.
Results: Compared to placebo, the peptide combination significantly improved extracellular matrix development by 10.4% and increased elastin expression by 87.2%.
Compared to Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, the peptide combination showed a significant increase in type I collagen, type IV collagen, fibrillin-1 expression in the dermis.
Discussion and Conclusion: Previous research demonstrates the new acetyl hexapeptide-8 provides superior activity attenuating muscle contraction and speed-up the muscle relaxation to help recover a relaxed skin appearance after making facial expressions. Its efficacy further regulates the senescence process that drives loss of functionality and age-related changes in all skin layers. The current research verified its efficacy to promote collagen I expression, interestingly findings, it promotes collagen IV, fibrilin-1 and elastin activity, indicating significantly to promote ECM structures benefit to skin firmness improvement.
The combination of acetyl hexapeptide-8 and acetyl tetrapeptide-2 showed a significant enhancement in type I and type IV collagen, as well as fibrillin-1 levels when compared to single peptide alone. Fibrillin-1 is functionalized as the scaffold for elastin to form fibril. The co-staining of fibrillin-1 and elastin shows characteristic co-location, demonstrate the improved synergy between two test ingredients. A maximized in vivo anti-ageing effect, including skin firmness and skin elasticity, is speculated with the peptide combination in skincare products.