New research has revealed that skin ageing could be delayed with a specific antioxidant.
Researchers have recently discovered that an antioxidant called methylene blue reduces signs of ageing in human skin cells.
Lead study author Zheng-Mei Xiong, an assistant research professor of cell biology and molecular genetics at the University of Maryland (UMD) in College Park, and colleagues say that their findings indicate that methylene blue could be added to cosmetic products to help combat skin ageing.
So what is methylene blue? Well, it is a compound that is mainly used for the treatment of methemoglobinemia, a disorder in which the blood is unable to effectively carry oxygen.
However these studies suggest that methylene blue is effective for reducing cell division, which is considered a key player in ageing.
In the journal Scientific Reports the authors said, “Based on these observations, we speculate that MB (methylene blue) may effectively protect skin from oxidative stress and delay skin ageing.”
How it reduces ageing
To test their theory, Xiong and colleagues tested methylene blue and three other antioxidants on skin fibroblasts. These are cells in the dermal skin layer that produce collagen (the building block of youthful skin)
After treating the fibroblasts with methylene blue for 4 weeks, the researchers identified a decrease in something called reactive oxygen species, which are known to cause skin cell damage. Treatment with methylene blue also led to a reduction in cell division and cell death.
In fibroblasts derived from older adults, who were aged 80 and older, the researchers found that 4 weeks of treatment with methylene blue led to numerous improvements. These included a reduction in the expression of the genes beta-galactosidase and p16, which are markers of cellular ageing.
“I was encouraged and excited to see skin fibroblasts, derived from individuals more than 80 years old, grow much better in methylene blue-containing medium with reduced cellular senescence markers,” says Xiong. “Methylene blue demonstrates a great potential to delay skin ageing for all ages.”
The team noted that methylene blue was much better at reducing signs of ageing in skin fibroblasts than the other three antioxidants tested.
The team also found that skin not only retained more water when treated with methylene blue, but it also increased in thickness – typical features of younger skin.
What’s more is the researchers found that methylene blue led to little or no skin irritation, making it an effective anti-ageing product.
Ummm…where do we sign up?
