Anti-ageing ability of a Centella asiatica callus exosomes-based face serum in healthy human volunteers with mild to moderate wrinkles and fine lines: a monocentric clinical trial

Abstract

Background: Plant exosomes are extracellular vesicles of lipid-protein complexes with potential to increase permeability, biocompatibility and sustained delivery of cosmetic actives. Since these exosomes are prepared through invitro techniques the resultant products are uniform in quality and efficacy. One such plant exosome, Centella asiatica callus extracellular vesicles, based serum was tested for anti-ageing efficacy and safety in healthy human volunteers. 

Methods: The objective was to evaluate the anti-ageing potential and in-use tolerance of the face serum, at 0 day, 30 days, and 45 days in healthy women volunteers. Primary evaluations included wrinkle assessment using the Jin Ho Chung scale, Antera 3D imaging for wrinkles, fine lines and skin brightness, and MoistureMeterSC for skin hydration along with self-assessments by volunteers for efficacy. Secondary endpoints included dermatologist assessment by Draize scale and self-assessment questionnaires by volunteers for product tolerance.

Results: Twenty-six women with a mean age of 43.85±4.21 years and mild-to-moderate crow’s feet wrinkles completed the evaluation. Compared with baseline, the serum significantly reduced wrinkle scores by 9.9% and 14.6% and fine-line scores by 15.8% and 27.0% on day 30 and 45, respectively (p<0.05). Skin luminescence increased by 1.0% and 1.6%, while ITA° increased by 6.9% and 11.1% on day 30 and 45, respectively (p<0.05). Skin hydration improved by 25.4% and 37.2% at the corresponding timepoints (p<0.05). No adverse events were reported.

Conclusions: In the current exploratory and monocentric study, exosome-based plant serum demonstrated promising anti-ageing capacity with no adverse events recorded under the tested conditions.