Novel complex of cosmetic ingredients with promising action in preventing hair loss and follicular aging through mechanism involving enrichment of WNT/signaling, mitochondrial activity, and stem cells maintenance

Abstract

Background: Mechanisms involved in hair metabolism are diverse, and the availability of ingredients that normalize dysfunctions or mitigate the effects of extrinsic stress suffered daily is greatly desired by consumers to improve the aesthetic appearance of hair. Aims:In this work, we carried out a preclinical exploratory approach to evaluate the effects of a complex of nanoencapsulated active ingredients (AcPi), as well as a cosmetic formulation containing AcPi (ShPi and HtPi) in mechanisms involving hair loss and follicular aging.Methods: Human hair follicle dermal papilla cells and human scalp culture were treated with AcPi, ShPi, or HtPi and stimulated with UV radiation or testosterone for further measurement of mitochondrial biogenesis, reactive oxygen species (ROS), β-catenin, dyhidrotestosterone (DHT), collagen XVIIα1 (COL17A1), and cutaneous permeation.Results: Our results demonstrated that AcPi prevents oxidative stress and balances mitochondial activity disturbed by exposure to UV radiation. AcPi also promoted an enrichment of WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway, stimulating hair growth, and lengthening the anagen phase of hair cycle. ShPi and HtPi were able to prevent hair aging, minimizing the excessive degradation of COL17A1 in hair follicle exposed to UV radiation, in addition to controlling androgenic metabolism by reducing DHT production. Conclusion:The integral effects of AcPi have not been completely elucidated; however, these results, associated with clinical evidences, allow us to infer that this ingredient prevents follicular aging, miniaturization, and consequently hair loss by mechanisms involving energetic homeostasis maintenance, antioxidant, and antiandrogenic actions. How to cite this article: Honda Igarashi M, da Silva SG, Mercuri M, et al. Novel complex of cosmetic ingredients with promising action in preventing hair loss and follicular aging through mechanism involving enrichment of WNT/signaling, mitochondrial activity, and stem cells maintenance.

Ex Vivo Human Skin: An Alternative Test System for Skin Irritation and Corrosion Assays

“…Our efforts to establish a model with high reproducibility and adaptability to different experimental conditions generated positive results, as we have been able to use ex vivo human skin as a tool in the evaluation of several skin disorders, such as photoageing, skin dryness, atopic dermatitis, hair follicle ageing, skin and hair follicle permeation, among others. [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25]37 These studies comprise specific methodologies in which mediators of the various disorders are evaluated by using different techniques, such as immunofluorescence and immunoassays, as well as more complex studies involving omics platforms. These studies help to further our understanding of the complex interactions between cutaneous tissue and the extrinsic environment.…”

“…12,13 Studies performed by our group have shown that ex vivo skin, cultured under specific conditions, maintains the biological characteristics of in vivo skin for the length of time required to perform the tests, thus representing a feasible model with which to evaluate different parameters. [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] The purpose of this proof-of-concept study was to assess the potential of ex vivo skin, as an alternative to reconstructed skin, on irritation and corrosion testing according to TGs 439 and 431.…”