Abstract:

Objective To investigate the protective effect of GX-50 against skin aging. Methods GX-50 was applied on the back of mice aged 20 months, and the effect of GX-50 on mouse skin was observed with HE staining and immunohistochemistry. Human skin fibroblasts were primarily cultured, senescent cell model was established by H₂O₂ induction, and blank control group, DMSO group, GX-50 group, H₂O₂ group, and GX-50+H₂O₂ group (pretreatment with GX-50+H₂O₂ treatment) were divided. The anti-aging effect of GX-50 on primary human skin fibroblasts was examined by SA-βGal staining, as well as determination of secreted malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) content. The irritation characteristics of GX-50 were detected by Draize eye test. Results The histological observation revealed that the GX-50 treated skin exhibited better appearance and higher collagen content. β-galactosidase in human skin fibroblasts was reduced by GX-50. Compared with blank control group, the secretion of MDA was down-regulated by 30.45% and the fluorescence value of ROS was down-regulated by 8.03% in GX-50 group (P<0.05). Compared with H₂O₂ group, the secretion of MDA was down-regulated by 61.46% and the fluorescence value of ROS was down-regulated by 8.36% in GX-50+H₂O₂ group (P<0.05). Draize eye test showed the irritation score of GX-50 was 0. Conclusion GX-50 has protective and anti-aging effect on skin, and may serve as a potential cosmetic additive against skin aging.

Key words: GX-50, skin aging, collagen, malondialdehyde, reactive oxygen species