Preclinical Evidence That Mesoglycan Unfolds Complex Anti-Aging Effects in Photoaged Female Facial Skin

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Aging Research
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Novel senotherapeutics are crucial for reversing aging-related skin decline.
• Mesoglycan is a clinically approved glycosaminoglycan with known effects on perfusion, angiogenesis, and VEGF-A signaling.
• Its potential for rejuvenating photoaged human skin requires investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the therapeutic potential of mesoglycan for rejuvenating photoaged human skin.
• To assess mesoglycan's effects on key skin aging biomarkers.
• To compare the efficacy of topical versus medium-delivered mesoglycan.

Main Methods:

• Ex vivo treatment of full-thickness photoaged human facial skin samples (n=7, mean age 72±5 years) with mesoglycan (100, 200, 300 µM).
• Application via topical or medium delivery for 6 days under serum-free, aging-accelerating conditions.
• Assessment of aging biomarkers using quantitative immunohistomorphometry.

Main Results:

• Mesoglycan treatment improved epidermal structure, pigmentation markers, and dermal matrix.
• Reduced cellular senescence and enhanced mitochondrial performance and antioxidant defenses were observed.
• Upregulation of VEGF-A and VEGFR2 promoted skin rejuvenation; topical application restored rete ridges and improved basement membrane structure.

Conclusions:

• Mesoglycan demonstrates significant senotherapeutic potential for photoaged human skin.
• It acts via complementary pathways, including VEGF-A upregulation, to promote skin rejuvenation.
• Topical mesoglycan application is a safe and feasible strategy for localized skin anti-aging, enhancing epidermal and dermal biomarkers.