Anti-aging effect of an oral disintegrating collagen film: a prospective, single-arm study

A review on the processing technique, physicochemical, and bioactive properties of marine collagen

Collagens are conventionally derived from bovine and porcine sources. However, these sources were commonly associated with infectious diseases such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy, foot and mouth disease, autoimmune and allergic reactions, and religious constraints. The significant amount of collagen available in marine species, especially fish skins, scales, fins, and bones, shows that marine species can be a potential alternative source to mammalian collagen. Therefore, this review aims to give a clearer outlook on the processing techniques of marine collagen and its physicochemical and bioactive properties as a potential alternative to mammalian collagen. The two most suitable extraction methods for marine collagen are pepsin-soluble extraction and ultrasound-assisted extraction. Additionally, marine collagen's physicochemical and bioactive properties, such as antioxidants, wound healing, tissue engineering, and cosmetic biomaterial have been thoroughly discussed in this review. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Collagen extracted from marine sources showed its potential in physicochemical and bioactive properties, including antioxidants and wound-healing capabilities, as an alternative to mammalian collagen. The significant amount of collagen found in marine species, particularly in fish skins, scales, bones, and sea cucumbers, suggests that marine sources could be a viable alternative to land mammal collagen due to their abundance and accessibility. The ultrasound-assisted extraction technique has improved the extracted marine collagen's physicochemical and bioactivity properties and quality properties.

Unlocking the Therapeutic Potential of Marine Collagen: A Scientific Exploration for Delaying Skin Aging

Aging is closely associated with collagen degradation, impacting the structure and strength of the muscles, joints, bones, and skin. The continuous aging of the skin is a natural process that is influenced by extrinsic factors such as UV exposure, dietary patterns, smoking habits, and cosmetic supplements. Supplements that contain collagen can act as remedies that help restore vitality and youth to the skin, helping combat aging. Notably, collagen supplements enriched with essential amino acids such as proline and glycine, along with marine fish collagen, have become popular for their safety and effectiveness in mitigating the aging process. To compile the relevant literature on the anti-aging applications of marine collagen, a search and analysis of peer-reviewed papers was conducted using PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase, covering publications from 1991 to 2024. From in vitro to in vivo experiments, the reviewed studies elucidate the anti-aging benefits of marine collagen, emphasizing its role in combating skin aging by minimizing oxidative stress, photodamage, and the appearance of wrinkles. Various bioactive marine peptides exhibit diverse anti-aging properties, including free radical scavenging, apoptosis inhibition, lifespan extension in various organisms, and protective effects in aging humans. Furthermore, the topical application of hyaluronic acid is discussed as a mechanism to increase collagen production and skin moisture, contributing to the anti-aging effects of collagen supplementation. The integration of bio-tissue engineering in marine collagen applications is also explored, highlighting its proven utility in skin healing and bone regeneration applications. However, limitations to the scope of its application exist. Thus, by delving into these nuanced considerations, this review contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the potential and challenges associated with marine collagen in the realm of anti-aging applications.

Effects of Oral Collagen for Skin Anti-Aging: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This paper presents a systematic review and meta-analysis of 26 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 1721 patients to assess the effects of hydrolyzed collagen (HC) supplementation on skin hydration and elasticity. The results showed that HC supplementation significantly improved skin hydration (test for overall effect: Z = 4.94, p < 0.00001) and elasticity (test for overall effect: Z = 4.49, p < 0.00001) compared to the placebo group. Subgroup analyses demonstrated that the effects of HC supplementation on skin hydration varied based on the source of collagen and the duration of supplementation. However, there were no significant differences in the effects of different sources (p = 0.21) of collagen or corresponding measurements (p = 0.06) on skin elasticity. The study also identified several biases in the included RCTs. Overall, the findings suggest that HC supplementation can have positive effects on skin health, but further large-scale randomized control trials are necessary to confirm these findings.

Topical Application of Peptide Nucleic Acid Antisense Oligonucleotide for MMP-1 and Its Potential Anti-Aging Properties

Matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) is a zinc-containing endopeptidase that degrades dermal collagen and other extracellular matrix molecules. It is recognized as one of the most important indicators of cellular senescence and age-related skin changes. Here, we introduced a novel MMP-1 peptide nucleic acid (PNA) derivative-PNA-20 carboxyethyl fluorene (CEF)-which can interact with and consequently silence the MMP-1 gene sequence. The investigation on the efficacy of PNA-20 CEF in MMP-1 silencing in human dermal fibroblasts revealed significantly decreased expression of MMP-1 at both gene and protein levels. Treatment with PNA-20 CEF showed significantly increased expression of collagen I protein, indicating its potential role in preventing the degradation of collagen I and consequently combating the skin aging process. Its topical application on 3D human skin tissue showed successful absorption into the epidermis and the upper dermis. Furthermore, the additional 4-week single-arm prospective study on 21 Asian women revealed improvements in facial wrinkles, skin moisture, elasticity, and density after the use of the topical PNA-20 CEF cosmeceutical formulation. Additional in-vitro and ex-vivo studies are needed for a comprehensive understanding of the skin anti-aging effects of MMP-1 PNA.

Oral Supplementation of Low-Molecular-Weight Collagen Peptides Reduces Skin Wrinkles and Improves Biophysical Properties of Skin: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Study

Orally administered collagen peptides could contribute to antiaging by replacing the degraded extracellular matrix proteins caused by photoaging. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of low-molecular-weight collagen peptides for treating photoaged and dry skin. In this randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, double-blinded trial, we randomly assigned study participants (n = 100) to either the test product group or placebo group at a 1:1 ratio for 12 weeks. The wrinkle scale score, eye wrinkle volume, roughness parameters, such as the average maximum height of the wrinkle (Rz), arithmetic average within the total measuring length of the wrinkle (Ra), maximum profile valley depth of the wrinkle (Rv), and skin hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), overall elasticity (R2), and ratio of elastic recovery to total deformation (R7) were evaluated at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks. Safety assessments with serial blood tests were also conducted. Efficacy assessments of data from 84 participants were conducted as the per-protocol analysis. After 12 weeks, the 10-grade crow's feet photo scale score, eye wrinkle volume, skin roughness parameters (Rz, Ra, and Rv), skin elasticity (R2 and R7), skin hydration, and TEWL were significantly improved in the test product group compared to the placebo group. There were no adverse events or abnormalities according to laboratory analysis associated with using the test material during the study period. This study showed that the oral supplementation of low-molecular-weight collagen peptides could improve the wrinkles, elasticity, hydration, and barrier integrity of photoaged facial skin. This clinical study was registered with the Korean Clinical Research Information Service and International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (No: KCT0006500).

Effect of a Topical Collagen Tripeptide on Antiaging and Inhibition of Glycation of the Skin: A Pilot Study

The glycation process has been recognized as one of the critical parameters that accelerate signs of skin aging, especially in skin exposed to environment factors, such as ultraviolet radiation. Although previous studies showed the anti-inflammatory and antiaging properties of the hydrolyzed collagen tripeptide (CTP), its exact mechanism is not fully understood. Therefore, in this study, we sought to investigate the effect of a topical CTP on facial skin. Our group designed a 4 week prospective, single-arm study of 22 Asian women who applied topical CTP. We observed significant improvements in skin wrinkles, elasticity, and density with a reduction in skin accumulation of advanced glycated end products (AGEs) at week 4 without any adverse effects. The in vitro study revealed a preventive effect of the topical CTP on the accumulation of AGEs, denatured collagen production, and reactive oxygen species in dermal fibroblasts. Moreover, treatment with the CTP decreased induction of matrix metalloproteinases while increasing the collagen 1 level. These results suggest that the application of a topical CTP might improve clinical aging phenotypes via the inhibition of glycation and oxidative stress, leading to a delay in cellular aging.

Proteoglycan Combined with Hyaluronic Acid and Hydrolyzed Collagen Restores the Skin Barrier in Mild Atopic Dermatitis and Dry, Eczema-Prone Skin: A Pilot Study

Dry and eczema-prone skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis and xerotic eczema primarily indicate an impaired skin barrier function, which leads to chronic pruritus. Here, we investigated the effects of a novel emollient containing H.ECM^TM liposome, which contains a soluble proteoglycan in combination with hydrolyzed collagen and hyaluronic acid. A prospective, single-arm study was conducted on 25 participants with mild atopic dermatitis or dry skin to assess the hydration and anti-inflammatory effect of the novel emollient applied daily over four weeks. All efficacy parameters, including itching severity, transepidermal water loss, and skin hydration, improved significantly after four weeks. The in vitro and ex vivo studies confirmed the restoration of the skin’s barrier function. The study revealed the clinical and laboratory efficacy of H.ECM^TM liposome in reducing itching and improving the skin’s barrier integrity. Thus, the use of H.ECM^TM liposome can be considered a therapeutic option for dry and eczema-prone skin.