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Argireline, a synthetic peptide, which is patterned from the N-terminal end of the protein SNAP-25, can both reduce the degree of existing facial wrinkles and demonstrate effectively against their development. In our past studies, we found out that Argireline had a signifi cant anti-wrinkle effect in Chinese subjects and that it was safe and well tolerated.

YUAN WANG , MEI WANG , XIANG SHENG XIAO , JIA HUO & WEI DING ZHANG

The second hospital of Xi ’ an Jiaotong University, Xi ’ an, P. R. China

Objective : To observe the effect of Argireline on histological changes in the skin in the aged mice induced by D-galactose.

Methods : Argireline was applied to the aged mice twice daily for 6 weeks. The histological changes in skin tissue were evaluated using hematoxylin – eosin (HE) and picrosirius – polarization (PSP) stains. The amount of type I and of type III collagen fi bers were also semi-quantitatively compared using software Image-ProPlus. Results : There was an improvement in the histological structure of skin tissue in the aged mice; the amount of type I collagen fi bers increased (P _ 0.01), while that of type III collagen fi bers decreased (P _ 0.05). Conclusions : This study revealed that Argireline could improve the histological structure of skin tissue and rejuvenate the aging skin.

Introduction

Nowadays, the desire to maintain a youthful appearance has driven the development of dermatological cosmetics designed to rejuvenate the aging face. Argireline, a synthetic hexapeptide, is one of the new popular options to treat the aging skin. It is a unique peptide that both reduces the existing facial wrinkles and effectively prevents their development, especially in the forehead and around the eyes.

The synthetic hexapeptide is an acetyl hexapeptide-3 (AC-EEMQRR-NH 2 ), patterned from the N-terminal end of the protein SNAP-25. The identify cation of Argireline is the result of efforts to find an effective but less toxic synthetic version of  botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNTA) (1,2). It has been found that this peptide can inhibit vesicle docking by preventing the formation of the ternary soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) complex (a vesicular fusion complex required to drive Ca 2 _ -dependent exocytosis). It also interferes in catecholamine release, which is involved in synaptic vesicle exocytosis (3,4). These effects closely relate to the basic biochemical mechanisms of wrinkle formation. This peptide is currently marketed as Argireline (McEit [Tianjin] International Trade Co., Ltd.) (5).Argireline inhibits the repetitive contraction of the intrinsic muscles of facial expression and thereby reduces hyperkinetic facial lines (6). One open-label trial in which 10 women received daily applications of 5% Argireline cream twice demonstrated a 27% improvement in periorbital lines after 30 days, as measured by silicone replica analysis (1). In another study with healthy American women volunteers, Argireline solution reduced the depth of wrinkles up to 17% after 15 days and 30% after 30 days (5).

Theoretically, Argireline may mimic the effects of BoNTA injection, by reducing the hyperkinetic lines associated with the muscles of facial expression. However, currently, only BoNTA has been approved for subcutaneous, intradermal, and intramuscular injections for the facial wrinkles by US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (7).