Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cell conditioned medium may reduce skin aging

Early research findings suggest that treatment with umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cell conditioned medium (MSC-CM) may be effective and safe for preventing and treating skin aging.

The findings were published in World Journal of Stem Cells.

In the paper’s abstract, the authors note that a growing body of research exists on the connection between mesenchymal stem cell-conditioned medium (MSC-CM) and aging. However, they note that most studies have focused on adipose-derived MSC-CM. The investigators say they hypothesized that umbilical cord-derived MSCs, being younger than adipose-derived MSCs, would be more suitable for overcoming aging-related processes.

To assess the efficacy and safety of umbilical cord-derived MSC-CM for preventing and treating skin aging, researchers conducted in vitro and in vivo studies comparing this type of conditioned medium to adipose-derived MSC-CM. They also evaluated the most effective delivery method for umbilical cord-derived MSC-CM.

The researchers found that umbilical cord-derived MSC-CM had a higher content of effective factors, stimulated higher proliferation of fibroblasts, and strongly inhibited melanin production in the B16F1 cell line. In aged mice, application of the MSC-CM increased skin thickness, the number of Ki-67-positive cells—a marker for active cell division, and the area of collagen deposition. Umbilical cord-derived MSC-CM was more effective than adipose-derived MSC-CM in preventing and treating skin aging. Additionally, a safety evaluation of umbilical cord-derived MSC-CM performed in various animal models demonstrated its safety, even when used directly on the skin.