PUBLICATION

A supramolecular system of bioactive ionic liquid, peony extract, and peptide for enhanced permeability and synergistic skincare benefits

Authors
Wang, M., Liu, T., Wang, H., Wang, Z., Zhang, J.
ID
ZDB-PUB-250617-13
Date
2025
Source
Chemistry (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany) : e202501323e202501323 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Keywords
acetyl hexapeptide-8, bioactive ionic liquid, multiple anti-aging, peony extract, supramolecular
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Betaine/chemistry
  • Humans
  • Ionic Liquids*/chemistry
  • Malates/chemistry
  • Peptides*/chemistry
  • Peptides*/pharmacology
  • Permeability
  • Plant Extracts*/chemistry
  • Plant Extracts*/pharmacology
  • Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism
  • Skin/drug effects
  • Skin/metabolism
  • Skin Aging/drug effects
  • Zebrafish
PubMed
40522284 Full text @ Chemistry
Abstract
The growing demand for safe and sustainable cosmetics has led to a marked inclination toward natural extracts and peptides as raw materials. In this study, we developed a sustainable system with multiple anti-aging effects by combining peony extract (PE) and acetyl hexapeptide-8 (AHP8) to simultaneously treat static and dynamic wrinkles, as well as skin dullness. As the poor skin permeability of AHP8 limited its efficacy, we used a bioactive ionic liquid derived from betaine and malic acid ([Bet][MA]) as a permeation enhancer. In vitro and in vivo zebrafish experiments indicated that [Bet][MA] not only significantly enhances transdermal and cellular penetration but also exerts synergistic anti-aging effects. While being biosafe, [Bet][MA] significantly increased the transdermal permeation, skin retention, and cellular uptake of AHP8. Theoretical calculations revealed that [Bet][MA] improved the anti-wrinkle and whitening efficacies of AHP8 and PE through supramolecular interactions; it modulated their electron cloud distribution and molecular polarity and thus intensified their affinity to target proteins in aqueous solutions. The supramolecular PE/AHP8/[Bet][MA] system demonstrated excellent radical- and reactive oxygen species-scavenging capability, collagen production, and tissue repair capability while concurrently inhibiting tyrosinase activity, motion signaling, and inflammation. The study findings pave the way for sustainable and multifunctional skincare solutions.
Genes / Markers
Figures
Show all Figures
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping