Centella asiatica Tissue Culture-Derived Extracellular Vesicles: A Multifaceted Approach to Skincare Applications
Open accessAbstract
Background: Centella asiatica has long been used as a medicinal herb in traditional Asian medicine. Its wound healing, skin improvement, and neuroprotective properties have been widely studied. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are secreted by cells and contain bioactive components with therapeutic properties. Objectives: This study aims to characterize EVs isolated from C. asiatica tissue culture and investigate their therapeutic properties using in-vitro assays and UVB-induced damage mouse model. Methods: EVs were isolated from C. asiatica tissue culture and characterized by nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Cytotoxicity, anti-oxidation, anti-melanin, and anti-inflammation of the EVs were evaluated by MTT assay, tyrosinase assay and RT-qPCR in chemical or in vitro assays. A UVB-induced photodamage mouse model was established to assess the anti-inflammation effect of EVs in vivo . Gels with or without EVs were applied to the damage site and skin appearance was observed daily and skin histopathology was analyzed on day 7 by H&E and immunohistochemical staining. Results: C. asiatica EVs were found to contain high levels of polyphenol and mitigated hydrogen peroxide-induced intracellular ROS. The EVs were further able to reduce intracellular melanin content and tyrosinase activity, and exhibited anti-inflammatory effects by downregulating expression of pro-inflammatory genes COX2 as well as nitric oxide production. In mice with UVB-induced skin damage, daily application of C. asiatica EV gel reduced skin epidermis thickness and inflammation compared to UVB-only or blank gel at seven days after UV irradiation. Conclusions: The beneficial effects of C. asiatica EVs on skin quality warrant further studies as promising agents in skin care applications.
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The authors previously characterized a proprietary preparation of EVs isolated from tissue culture Cica and demonstrated its in-vitro antioxidant, anti-melanogenic, and anti-inflammatory properties.
“We have previously characterized a proprietary preparation of EVs isolated from tissue culture Cica, and demonstrated their in-vitro antioxidant, anti-melanogenic, and anti-inflammatory properties [15].”
A Cica EV-based gel provides skin soothing and reduces inflammation after UV irradiation in a mouse UVB skin damage model.
“In addition, our in vivo data from mouse UVB skin damage model has shown that Cica EV-based gel can provide skin soothing and reduce inflammation after UV irradiation [15].”
Cica EVs upregulate skin barrier genes (AQP3 and FLG) and enhance collagen synthesis in cultured skin cells.
“In those studies, Cica EVs also upregulated skin barrier genes (AQP3 and FLG) and enhanced collagen synthesis, mechanisms consistent with the hydration and elasticity improvements observed here.”
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Self-citationРАСТИТЕЛЬНЫЕ ЭКЗОСОМЫ И ИХ ПРИМЕНЕНИЕ В ЭСТЕТИЧЕСКОЙ МЕДИЦИНЕ
Шарова, А. А. (2026) · Restorative Dermatology and Venereology and Cosmetology · doi:10.46393/3034722x_2026_1_55-68
- Authors
- Chang, T.-M., Wu, C.-C., Huang, H.-C., Wang, S.-S., Chuang, C.-H., Kao, P.-L., Tang, W.-H., Liu, L. T.-C., Qiu, W.-Y., Percec, I., Chen, C., & Kuo, T.-Y.
- Affiliations
- Hungkuang University (TW)
- China Medical University (TW)
- Kyoto University (JP)
- University of Pennsylvania (US)
- Venue
- bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
- Publisher
- openRxiv
- Published
- 2024-12-07
- OpenAlex
- W4405135105
- Cited by
- 7
- References
- 31
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 6
- Type
- posted content
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) (acceptedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Extracellular vesicles in disease
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Skin Protection and Aging
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › melanin and skin pigmentation
- Keywords
- Centella asiatica, extracellular vesicles, skin care, anti-inflammatory activity, tyrosinase inhibition, polyphenols, reactive oxygen species, cyclooxygenase-2, nitric oxide, skin histopathology
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