At 2% use levels, Argireline peptide vastly improved skin appearance after just one week of treatment, according to Lipotec. The clinical test was performed on a panel of 24 female volunteers aged between 35-45 years old, who applied a cream with the peptide on half of the face, especially on the crow’s feet area, and a placebo cream on the other half, twice daily.

Skin topography was quantitatively evaluated after measurements by the FOITS (Fast Optical In vivo Topometry of human Skin) technique at the beginning and at the end of the treatment. At the end of seven days, values showed a statistically significant decrease in the average volume and length of the wrinkles by 20.6% and 15.9%, respectively, with a cream containing 2% Argireline peptide solution.

According to Lipotec, the launch of Argireline peptide opened the door to a new generation of anti-aging active ingredients. Its mechanism of action was a technological innovation: the modulation of the muscle contraction mechanisms to attenuate and reduce wrinkles induced by over-stimulation of facial muscles, through topical formulations. This and its “high-tech” performance supported by in vivo trials enables the peptide to be seen as a topical alternative to more invasive existent methods.

Starting as early as the age of 30, folds, furrows and creases characteristics of these lines are mainly located in the forehead and glabella. Their origin can be found in biochemical, histological and physiological changes over the years, which are exacerbated by environmental exposure, as well as frequent and constant positional pressure of the skin or repeated facial movements, caused by contraction of the muscles.

The muscle contraction mechanism is a complex process where both the nerve and the muscle are involved in a synapse known as the Neuromuscular Junction. Muscles are contracted when they receive a neurotransmitter released from inside a vesicle of the motor neurone.

The mechanism of action of Argireline peptide targets the pre-synaptic pathway of the muscle contraction process by mimicking the N-terminal end of SNAP-25. Thus, it competes with the natural protein for a position in the essential SNARE complex, which is destabilized. Consequently, the vesicle cannot release neurotransmitters efficiently at the synapsis and contraction is attenuated.

Fine lines and wrinkles are both prevented and reduced with the peptide. The wrinkle-formation mechanism is similar to that of Botulinum Neurotoxins (BoNTs), where the SNARE complex is also the target, but rather than paralyzed, the muscle is relaxed with Argireline peptide. Clinical studies sustain the efficacy of the topical approach to expression wrinkles that is suggested both as a safe and attractive alternative, or a complementary treatment to surgery or injections.

The new in vivo trial on Argireline peptide can allow novel cosmetic strategies to be developed claiming fast benefits for end-users, showing visible skin rejuvenation in just a week.

More info: www.lipotec.com