A study conducted by scientists from Albion Co Ltd and the Health Sciences University of Hokkaido revealed that the perennial plant and its unique compounds could activate skin-related stem cells while preventing them from turning into fat.
These findings point toward a dual-action ingredient that both rejuvenates the skin and maintains facial firmness.
The study focused on human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells, commonly known as AD-MSCs. These cells are vital for skin health because they act like tiny factories, secreting growth factors that activate surrounding skin cells, promote healing, and boost collagen production.
However, as people age, these stem cells often lose their functionality or prematurely turn into adipocytes, which are essentially fat cells. When this happens in the face, the increase in fat volume can lead to a loss of elasticity and development of sagging skin.
AD-MSCs have attracted significant attention in regenerative medicine and drug discovery. While these cells were essential for keeping skin healthy and balanced, environmental stressors like UV radiation and pollution cause them to age and lose their “stemness”.
By maintaining the health of these cells, cosmetic formulators could potentially create more effective anti-ageing treatments that work on a deeper biological level.
Unlocking the secrets of hitorishizuka
C. quadrifolius is native to East Asia and has a long history in traditional medicine. In Japan, it is known as hitorishizuka and was traditionally used by the Ainu people of Hokkaido to treat stomach issues.
Despite its long history of use, its specific benefits for the skin had not been well understood until now. The researchers specifically looked at a crude extract of the plant along with two newly identified compounds, named hitorin A and hitorin B.
In laboratory tests, the researchers found that the extract and the hitorin compounds significantly helped these stem cells grow and multiply. When treated with these substances, the stem cells multiplied more effectively than those in the control group.
Preventing the transition to fat cells
Beyond simply increasing cell numbers, the study found that C. quadrifolius prevented AD-MSCs from turning into fat. This process, known as adipogenesis, is often a hidden cause of skin ageing.
When too many stem cells become fat cells, the layer of fat under the skin can become heavy and disorganised. This puts a strain on the skin’s support structures, such as elastin and collagen, eventually leading to the visible sagging often seen around the jawline.
The results showed that the crude extract and hitorins A and B markedly suppressed excessive adipocyte differentiation.
By measuring how much fat accumulated and tracking the genes responsible for fat formation, the research team confirmed that the plant extract could reduce fat accumulation by approximately half, compared to untreated cells.
Keeping stem cells young and functional
Another major breakthrough involved the maintenance of “stemness”. To stay effective, stem cells must remain in a state where they can continue to renew themselves and produce beneficial proteins.
The researchers found that the Japanese plant extract increased the activity of three key genes that acted as the master switches for stem cell youth: SOX2, NANOG, and OCT4.
By boosting these specific genetic factors, the extract essentially helps the stem cells stay young and functional for much longer.
The researchers also put the extract to the test against oxidative stress, a primary driver of skin ageing. Hydrogen peroxide was used to simulate the type of cellular damage caused by environmental factors and the natural ageing process.
The results were significant, as the extract stopped the cells from entering a “retired” state known as senescence, whereby cells stop working properly and start sending out harmful signals to their neighbours.
A natural shield against inflammation
The study confirmed that the crude extract and hitorins A and B protected AD-MSCs from oxidative stress-induced ageing. It also highlighted the anti-inflammatory properties of the plant, with the researchers observing a significant reduction in the production of inflammatory markers that would typically speed up the ageing process.
This anti-inflammatory shield makes the extract a strong candidate for products targeting sensitive or stressed skin that needs extra protection.
While the extract’s ability to fight free radicals was found to be relatively mild in a standard test tube, its performance inside living human cells was much stronger.
This suggested that it worked by “waking up” the cells’ own internal defence systems rather than just providing a temporary fix. This is important for development teams looking for smart ingredients that interact with human biology to create lasting changes.
Future potential in skin regeneration
Despite the promising data, the researchers emphasised that further tests on stability, safety, and clinical trials on real people are required to make sure the extract would work flawlessly in final cosmetic products.
Nevertheless, they noted that these initial findings provide a strong scientific foundation for using C. quadrifolius in the next generation of premium anti-ageing products.
Source: Cosmetics
“Biological Activities of the Extract and Hitorins A and B from Chloranthus quadrifolius in Human Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells”
https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics13010009
Authors: Kento Kunihiro, et al.
