Can algae enhance skin regeneration and wound healing?
Schematic of EMVEG encapsulating protein and lipid layer fragments and its confocal microscopy images of β-glucan and lipids labeled aniline blue (blue colored) and Texas red-DHPE (red colored), respectively
A product of a freshwater single-celled green algae called Euglena gracilis may enhance skin regeneration to speed up wound healing, according to new research published in Advanced Materials Interfaces.
Investigators developed a system based on microvesicles that bud from the cell surface of Euglena gracilis and contain β-glucan, a carbohydrate with immunoregulatory activity, regeneration ability, and antioxidant properties.
In laboratory experiments, these microvesicles promoted the proliferation and migration of skin cells, increasing both collagen synthesis and the expression of proliferation-associated proteins. A wound healing test also generated promising results.
“This technique is expected to be applied to other cells, thereby enabling the design of new types of extracellular vesicles that are applicable for skin treatments and care in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries,” the authors wrote.
© Image Credit: Yuri Ko et al. , Advanced Materials Interfaces, Wiley-VCH GmbH (2023)
Skin Ageing & Challenges 2023 this November will update you about the latest extracellular vesicle based treatments for skin.
Skin Ageing & Challenges 2023
November 9-10, 2023 – Lisbon, Portugal
www.skin-challenges.com