BioCell Collagen Protects against UVB-induced Photoaging in Mice

by | May 18, 2020 | 2020, Skin Health, Uncategorized

Written by Joyce Smith, BS. Study demonstrates that supplementation with BioCell Collagen®, a novel hydrolyzed chicken sternal cartilage with chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid, reduces UVB-induced photoaging in hairless mice.

vitamin D - sunThe skin, a functioning organ vital to life, regulates body temperature 1 and maintains hydration. The dermis, the layer of skin just beneath the epidermis, is responsible for the skin’s elasticity and strength. It consists predominantly of collagen (70%), hyaluronic acid and extracellular components embedded in the extracellular matrix (ECM), a three-dimensional network of extracellular macromolecules, such as collagen, enzymes, and glycoproteins, that provide structural and biochemical support to surrounding cells 2. Excessive exposure to sunlight (ultraviolet radiation) can lead to skin moisture loss 3 ultimately causing aging of the skin (photoaging) 4 which manifests as wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and loss of elasticity.

The objective of this study was to determine whether supplementing with Biocell Collagen®, containing hydrolyzed type II collagen extract (compared to the more widely studied type I form), chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid, would reduce UVB-induced photoaging in hairless mice. Of the four groups of mice (10 animals per group), each group received a placebo with no UVB exposure (Group 1), a placebo with UVB exposure (Group 2), or the Bio cell Collagen® with UVB exposure at either 200 or 600 mg/kg body weight/day (Groups 3 and 4, respectively) every day for 14 weeks. 5

After fourteen weeks of collagen extract supplementation, several signs of UVB-induced photoaging had improved in the hairless mice. Both 200 and 600 mg doses of Bio Cell Collagen® significantly improved skin elasticity (18% higher for the 200 mg dose and 17% higher for the 600 mg/kg body weight/day, compared to the UVB controls. Also the transepidermal water loss (TDWL) was significantly reduced (-33%) at the 600 mg/kg dose, and a non-significant (-18%) reduction was seen at the 200mg/kg dose compared to the UVB controls.

Wrinkle parameters were also significantly improved. At 200 mg/kg dose, the UVB exposed mice had a 23.6% reduction in total wrinkle length compared to their UVB controls. The 600 mg/kg dose mice had a 28% reduction in total wrinkle area, an 18% reduction in number of wrinkles, a 28% reduction in wrinkle length, and a 22% reduction in wrinkle depth compared to their UVB controls.

Researchers believe that the observed inverse correlation of skin elasticity with wrinkle formation was due in part to the hydrolyzed type II collagen component of the BioCell Collagen®. Collagen hydrolysates have been shown to improve skin elasticity in numerous studies in humans 6 and animals 7. They suggest this beneficial effect may be due to the metabolism of collagen hydrolysates, which when ingested become smaller peptides 8 that are absorbed into the systemic circulation and transported to the skin 9. While collagen is undoubtedly a key player in skin elasticity, chondroitin sulfate (also a requisite for collagen and elastic fiber formation 10), was instrumental in both skin elasticity improvement and wrinkle reduction. In both 200 and 600 mg /kg groups of mice, hyaluronic acid was increased and TWEL was decreased, demonstrating that the skin barrier integrity was improved and skin moisture was maintained 11. The synergistic effects of this novel hydrolyzed chicken sternal cartilage extract, (BioCell Collagen®), suggest its use as an effective ingredient for promoting skin health.

Source: Phipps, Kirt R., Han Youl Lee, Hoon Kim, and Boram Jeon. “Oral administration of a novel hydrolyzed chicken sternal cartilage extract (BioCell Collagen®) reduces UVB-induced photoaging in mice.” Journal of Functional Foods 68 (2020): 103870.

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Posted May 18, 2020.

Joyce Smith, BS, is a degreed laboratory technologist. She received her bachelor of arts with a major in Chemistry and a minor in Biology from  the University of Saskatchewan and her internship through the University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine and the Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. She currently resides in Bloomingdale, IL.

References:

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