Biotech firm introduces proprietary anti-aging active
The new ingredient, Asymmate, influences the gene co-activator choice used by β-catenin to encourage skin stem cell differentiation.
A study released in conjunction with the active showed that application of a cream containing Asymmtate is associated with down-regulation of the gene expression of pro-opiomelanocortin ("POMC") and up-regulation of melanocortin receptor ("MCR1") in human skin compared to the base cream.
Topical use
The study results suggest that using a cream with Asymmtate may reverse gene expression changes associated with aging skin and with lentigines.
"This study verified the efficacy of the formulation and aesthetic effects. The ‘blinded’ investigator detected a statistically significant reduction in skin roughness at week-two, mirroring the comments we received anecdotally," said Dr Lawrence Rheins, Makucell CEO.
"Makucell is committed to supporting our claims with results from controlled, blinded studies. This gene expression study confirms the hard science of Asymmtate, Makucell's proprietary technology developed at USC,” added Dr Mark Dahl, Makucell's vice president and chief medical officer.
Optimal signaling
Asymmate was developed by Michael Kahn and his team of research scientists at the Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research of the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California.
It incorporates the company’s core technology and is the proprietary ingredient in the Renewnt brand of skin care products.
According to Makucell, Asymmtate optimizes signals in the Wnt pathway to energize the skin's stem cells, encouraging youthful cell behavior.
Optimal signaling stimulates the skin stem cells to begin the process leading to keratinocytes, fibroblasts and other dermal cells which produce collagen, elastic tissue and substances in the supporting skin matrix.
Booming market
According to market researcher Mintel the anti-aging skin care market in the US is valued at $2.3 billion.
According to Mintel, 37 percent of US women have used anti-aging creams and serums for the face, compared to 23 percent of UK women, 24 percent of the female population in France, 25 percent of women in Germany and 26 percent of women in Spain.
