An effective anti-wrinkle substance: Acetyl octapeptide-3

Description

The synaptosome-associated protein of 25 kDa (SNAP-25) relates to facial wrinkles and muscle contraction. Acetyl hexapeptide-3 is a peptide fragment of SNAP-25, and it has been widely used for cosmetic materials to improve facial wrinkles because acetyl hexapeptide has an inhibiting effect on the function of SNAP-25. An acetyl octapeptide-3 (SNAP-8) added a two-amino acid chain on acetyl hexapeptide-3, designed for a better wrinkle improvement effect than acetyl hexapeptide-3.

Acetyl octapeptide-3 is an octapeptide that includes 8 amino acids (acetyl-Glu-Glu-Met-Gln-Arg-Arg-Ala-Asp-NH2). It reduces the depth of wrinkles caused by facial muscle contractions and especially reduces wrinkles on the forehead and around the eyes[1].

Mechanism of action

Acetyl octapeptide-3 mimics the N-terminal end of SNAP-25 protein, competes with it to bind the SNARE protein complex, and then inhibits the release of catecholamine, adrenaline, and noradrenaline. After inhibition, muscle relaxation occurs, and the wrinkles are reduced.

Botulinum toxin vs Acetyl octapeptide-3

A botulinum toxin, a highly potent neurotoxic protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum and related species, has been widely used for the improvement of facial wrinkles, but SNAP-8 has higher safety than botulinum toxin—both SNAP-8 and a botulinum toxin target the SNAP-25. Botulinum toxin breaks the SNAP-25 and causes muscle paralysis, while SNAP-8 captures the SNAP-25 and causes muscle relaxation[2]. Thus, SNAP-8 is more stable than botulinum toxin, which has been proposed as a functional cosmetic material that can replace botulinum toxin.

References

[1] Selami Baglamis, Sinan Akgöl, sra Feyzioğlu-Demir. “New insight into anti-wrinkle treatment: Using nanoparticles as a controlled release system to increase acetyl octapeptide-3 efficiency.” Polymer Bulletin 80 12 (2023): 12659–12681.

[2] Moongi Ji. “Method development for acetyl octapeptide-3 analysis by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.” Journal of Analytical Science and Technology (2020): 1–7.