Porcine Placenta Extract Reduced Wrinkle Formation by Potentiating Epidermal Hydration

Abstract

Background: Placenta extract is used as an alternative medicine especially in Asian countries as it is a rich reservoir of diverse bioactive molecules. The effects of placenta extract on skin conditions have been previously reported, however, the mechanism underlying for reduced wrinkle formation remains unclear. Objective: The primary objective of this study was to determine whether the continuous application of porcine placenta extract (PPE) alleviates wrinkle formation in humans and explore the underlying mechanism. Methods: Wrinkle formation, skin hydration, and skin elasticity were measured in 15 volunteers at weeks 0 and 6 after continuous application of a gel containing PPE. The production of type I collagen and hyaluronic acid from fibroblasts and keratinocytes, respectively, were measured using ELISA. Expression levels of ceramide synthase 3 (CERS3), filaggrin (FLG), transglutaminase 1 (TGM1), and kallikrein-7 (KLK7) were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR. Results: The wrinkle index was significantly reduced to 72.1% after a 6-week of applying the PPE gel, along with a significant increase in skin hydration to 126.5%. Type I collagen production from fibroblasts was enhanced slightly but significantly following treatment with PPE. PPE accelerated the expression of CERS3 (1.85-fold), FLG (1.35-fold), TGM1 (1.76-fold), and KLK7 (1.62-fold). Conclusion: Treatment with PPE alleviates wrinkle formation and simultaneously enhances skin hydration, which is induced via the accelerated expression of moisturizing-related proteins. These findings suggest that PPE is effective for combating dryness-induced wrinkle formation.

Porcine Placenta Extract Enhances Ceramide Synthase 3 Expression through the PPAR<i>δ</i>/ILK/Akt/mTOR/STAT3 Pathway

“…In this study, we demonstrated, for the first time, the underlying mechanism of PPE function and provided scientific evidence for the application of PPE in alternative medicine. Combined with our previous study showing that applying a gel containing placental extract to humans increases the water content in the stratum corneum [13], this study suggests that placental extract improves skin barrier function by increasing ceramide contents via the upregulation of CerS3 expression level. However, further research to show that placental extract increases ceramide in human skin in vivo is required.…”

“…CerS3, which is one of the six distinct isoforms of CerSs, is highly expressed in keratinocytes, synthesizes ceramides containing α-hydroxy fatty acids, and is involved in maintaining skin bar-rier function [14] [15] [16]. We have recently reported that PPE, which is widely used in alternative and traditional medicine, enhances CerS3 expression [13].…”

“…In addition, studies using skin cells have revealed that human placenta extract accelerates keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation [11] [12]. Recently, we reported that the application of PPE-containing gel on the face alleviated wrinkle formation and improved skin hydration, along with the upregulation of CerS3 in keratinocytes [13]. However, as the underlying mechanism still remains unclear, we explored the signaling pathway of PPE-induced CerS3 induction in this study.…”

Porcine placenta extract upregulates ceramide synthase 3 expression via the PPARδ/ILK/Akt/mTOR/STAT3 pathway

“…CerS3 expression [13]. However, because the regulation of CerS3 expression is largely uncharacterized, we explored the underlying mechanism of the PPE-induced upregulation of CerS3 in this study.…”

“…CerS3, which is one of the six distinct isoforms of CerSs, is highly expressed in keratinocytes, synthesizes ceramides containing α-hydroxy fatty acids, and is involved in maintaining skin barrier function [14-16]. We have recently reported that PPE, which is widely used in alternative and traditional medicine, enhances CerS3 expression [13]. However, because the regulation of CerS3 expression is largely uncharacterized, we explored the underlying mechanism of the PPE-induced upregulation of CerS3 in this study.…”