In vitro evaluation of the effects of human umbilical cord extracts on human fibroblasts, keratinocytes, and melanocytes.

Skin aging is the result of internal and external factors. So-called photoaging has been identified as the major factor in skin aging. Effects of photoaging include inhibition of fibroblast and keratinocyte proliferation as well as collagen and fibronectin expression, while activating expression of collagenases such as matrix metalloproteinase-1. Previous studies have shown that extracts or products from human placenta significantly improve skin aging and chronic wound healing. However, there are few studies of umbilical cord extracts. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of umbilical cord extract-derived formulae on three kinds of skin cells including fibroblasts, keratinocytes, and melanocytes. We prepared 20 formulae from intracellular umbilical cord extracts, extracellular umbilical cord extracts, and umbilical cord-derived stem cell extracts, as well as five control formulae. We evaluated the effects of the 25 formulae on fibroblast and keratinocyte proliferation, and expression of collagen I, fibronectin, and matrix metalloproteinase-1 in fibroblasts and tyrosinase in melanocytes. The results showed that 7.5% formula 35 was the most effective formula for promotion of fibroblast and keratinocyte proliferation. At this concentration, formula 35 also induced collagen expression and inhibited matrix metalloproteinase-1 expression at the transcriptional level. However, this formula had no effect on tyrosinase expression in melanocytes. These results demonstrate that umbilical cord extracts can serve as an attractive source of proteins for skincare and chronic wound healing products.