A novel combination against skin aging via promoting the synthesis of biological collagen

Abstract

Supplementing collagen is considered to contribute to delaying skin aging. In this work, we developed a novel combination for improving skin aging by stimulating the biosynthesis of collagen. By screening a library of Chinese herbal medicines (CHM), we found that Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (Baizhi), Lilii bulbus (Baihe), Glycyrrhizae radix et rhizoma (Gancao), and Jujubae fructus (Dazao) substantially increased the mRNA expression levels of type I collagen, suggesting their potential anti-skin-aging activity. To keep the structural integrity of collagen, prolyl 4-hydroxylase (P4H), a key enzyme in collagen synthesis, was recombinantly expressed in Escherichia coli. In addition, the transfersome with added P-4H was prepared to improve the transdermal absorption of combination. Vitamin C (VC), the substrate required for the activity of P4H, was also incorporated into the combination. Eventually, an optimal combination, consisting of Baizhi, Baihe, Gancao, P4H transfersome and VC, was obtained by a series of combination experiments. Based on traditional CHM and modern biological agents, we developed a novel combination against skin aging by promoting the synthesis of collagen. Collectively, the combination show the high potential of application to delay skin aging