Unraveling the Molecular Mechanisms of Synthetic Acetyl Hexapeptide in E-Cadherin Activation for Tissue Rejuvenation
Objective: Dermo-cosmetics have significantly advanced, focusing on innovative and effective products such as cosmeceuticals—cosmetics infused with bioactive ingredients for skin benefits. Synthetic peptides are prominent among these bioactive molecules, noted for their enhanced effects in cellular...
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Cosmetics |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9284/12/2/48 |
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| author | Nikoleta Topouzidou Androulla N. Miliotou Danai Nodaraki Eleftheria Galatou Christos Petrou Yiannis Sarigiannis |
| author_facet | Nikoleta Topouzidou Androulla N. Miliotou Danai Nodaraki Eleftheria Galatou Christos Petrou Yiannis Sarigiannis |
| author_sort | Nikoleta Topouzidou |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objective: Dermo-cosmetics have significantly advanced, focusing on innovative and effective products such as cosmeceuticals—cosmetics infused with bioactive ingredients for skin benefits. Synthetic peptides are prominent among these bioactive molecules, noted for their enhanced effects in cellular processes related to skin physiology. Specifically, the glycoprotein E-cadherin plays a crucial role in cellular adhesion and has shown promise in wound healing studies, although its broader cellular functions remain underexplored. Despite their widespread use, many cosmetic peptides lack genetic validation of their effects. This study focuses on the synthetic, amphiphilic acetyl hexapeptide-1, aimed to possess wound healing and anti-aging properties, with a novel exploration of its molecular mechanisms, specifically its effect on the expression of the CDH-1 gene, which encodes E-cadherin—a key protein in cellular adhesion and wound healing. Methods: In this investigation, the acetyl hexapeptide-1 was synthesized in house, followed by cell culture assessment and molecular evaluation. Human hepatocytes HepG2 were exposed to the synthetic hexapeptide to assess cytotoxic effects and examine its impact on gene expression, specifically targeting the wound healing-associated gene CDH-1, as well as apoptosis-related genes BAX, Bcl-2, Caspase-9, and Cyclin D1. Results: No cytotoxic effects were observed in cell cultures. Gene expression analysis revealed a significant increase in E-cadherin expression, along with the NO modulation of apoptosis-related genes (BAX, Bcl-2, Caspase-9) and the cell cycle-related gene Cyclin D1. These findings suggest peptide’s role in enhancing cellular adhesion, without any cytotoxic effects. Conclusions: The findings of this study provide promising insights into the potential molecular properties of synthetic acetyl hexapeptide-1, implying its applicability in cosmeceuticals. These cosmetic peptides hold enormous potential and diverse applications not only within skincare. To fully understand their benefits and expand their scope, additional investigations are warranted to comprehensively explore their molecular mechanisms across a spectrum of applications. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-65ffbbd035e946eb8ae66b1c8e56d57f |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2079-9284 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Cosmetics |
| spelling | doaj-art-65ffbbd035e946eb8ae66b1c8e56d57f2025-08-20T02:28:12ZengMDPI AGCosmetics2079-92842025-03-011224810.3390/cosmetics12020048Unraveling the Molecular Mechanisms of Synthetic Acetyl Hexapeptide in E-Cadherin Activation for Tissue RejuvenationNikoleta Topouzidou0Androulla N. Miliotou1Danai Nodaraki2Eleftheria Galatou3Christos Petrou4Yiannis Sarigiannis5Department of Health Sciences, School of Life and Health Sciences, University of Nicosia, 2417 Nicosia, CyprusDepartment of Health Sciences, School of Life and Health Sciences, University of Nicosia, 2417 Nicosia, CyprusDepartment of Health Sciences, School of Life and Health Sciences, University of Nicosia, 2417 Nicosia, CyprusDepartment of Health Sciences, School of Life and Health Sciences, University of Nicosia, 2417 Nicosia, CyprusDepartment of Health Sciences, School of Life and Health Sciences, University of Nicosia, 2417 Nicosia, CyprusDepartment of Health Sciences, School of Life and Health Sciences, University of Nicosia, 2417 Nicosia, CyprusObjective: Dermo-cosmetics have significantly advanced, focusing on innovative and effective products such as cosmeceuticals—cosmetics infused with bioactive ingredients for skin benefits. Synthetic peptides are prominent among these bioactive molecules, noted for their enhanced effects in cellular processes related to skin physiology. Specifically, the glycoprotein E-cadherin plays a crucial role in cellular adhesion and has shown promise in wound healing studies, although its broader cellular functions remain underexplored. Despite their widespread use, many cosmetic peptides lack genetic validation of their effects. This study focuses on the synthetic, amphiphilic acetyl hexapeptide-1, aimed to possess wound healing and anti-aging properties, with a novel exploration of its molecular mechanisms, specifically its effect on the expression of the CDH-1 gene, which encodes E-cadherin—a key protein in cellular adhesion and wound healing. Methods: In this investigation, the acetyl hexapeptide-1 was synthesized in house, followed by cell culture assessment and molecular evaluation. Human hepatocytes HepG2 were exposed to the synthetic hexapeptide to assess cytotoxic effects and examine its impact on gene expression, specifically targeting the wound healing-associated gene CDH-1, as well as apoptosis-related genes BAX, Bcl-2, Caspase-9, and Cyclin D1. Results: No cytotoxic effects were observed in cell cultures. Gene expression analysis revealed a significant increase in E-cadherin expression, along with the NO modulation of apoptosis-related genes (BAX, Bcl-2, Caspase-9) and the cell cycle-related gene Cyclin D1. These findings suggest peptide’s role in enhancing cellular adhesion, without any cytotoxic effects. Conclusions: The findings of this study provide promising insights into the potential molecular properties of synthetic acetyl hexapeptide-1, implying its applicability in cosmeceuticals. These cosmetic peptides hold enormous potential and diverse applications not only within skincare. To fully understand their benefits and expand their scope, additional investigations are warranted to comprehensively explore their molecular mechanisms across a spectrum of applications.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9284/12/2/48ultra-short peptidesskin rejuvenationsafety testinggenetic analysisskin physiology/structure |
| spellingShingle | Nikoleta Topouzidou Androulla N. Miliotou Danai Nodaraki Eleftheria Galatou Christos Petrou Yiannis Sarigiannis Unraveling the Molecular Mechanisms of Synthetic Acetyl Hexapeptide in E-Cadherin Activation for Tissue Rejuvenation Cosmetics ultra-short peptides skin rejuvenation safety testing genetic analysis skin physiology/structure |
| title | Unraveling the Molecular Mechanisms of Synthetic Acetyl Hexapeptide in E-Cadherin Activation for Tissue Rejuvenation |
| title_full | Unraveling the Molecular Mechanisms of Synthetic Acetyl Hexapeptide in E-Cadherin Activation for Tissue Rejuvenation |
| title_fullStr | Unraveling the Molecular Mechanisms of Synthetic Acetyl Hexapeptide in E-Cadherin Activation for Tissue Rejuvenation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Unraveling the Molecular Mechanisms of Synthetic Acetyl Hexapeptide in E-Cadherin Activation for Tissue Rejuvenation |
| title_short | Unraveling the Molecular Mechanisms of Synthetic Acetyl Hexapeptide in E-Cadherin Activation for Tissue Rejuvenation |
| title_sort | unraveling the molecular mechanisms of synthetic acetyl hexapeptide in e cadherin activation for tissue rejuvenation |
| topic | ultra-short peptides skin rejuvenation safety testing genetic analysis skin physiology/structure |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9284/12/2/48 |
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