Acetyl hexapeptide-8 or acetyl hexapeptide-8 amide (some sources incorrectly refer to this peptide as acetyl hexapeptide-3) is a synthetic anti-wrinkle

cosmetics Cosmetics are substances that are intended for application to the body for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering appearance. They are mixtures of chemical compounds derived from either Natural product, natural source ...

ingredient. It is a

peptide Peptides are short chains of amino acids linked by peptide bonds. A polypeptide is a longer, continuous, unbranched peptide chain. Polypeptides that have a molecular mass of 10,000 Da or more are called proteins. Chains of fewer than twenty am ...

which is a fragment of SNAP-25, a substrate of

botulinum toxin Botulinum toxin, or botulinum neurotoxin (commonly called botox), is a neurotoxic protein produced by the bacterium ''Clostridium botulinum'' and related species. It prevents the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine from axon en ...

(''Botox''). Acetyl hexapeptide-8 is marketed as Argireline® peptide by Lubrizol.

Overview and common uses

Acetyl hexapeptide-8 is used in attempts to decrease the visible effects of aging by reducing the deep wrinkles and lines that occur around the forehead and eyes. Chemically, when applied as a solution to specific areas of the face, acetyl hexapeptide-8 inhibits the reactions that cause muscles to move or contract – for example when forming facial expressions such as smiling or frowning.

Studies

Both ''

in vitro ''In vitro'' (meaning ''in glass'', or ''in the glass'') Research, studies are performed with Cell (biology), cells or biological molecules outside their normal biological context. Colloquially called "test-tube experiments", these studies in ...

'' (outside a living organism) and ''

in vivo Studies that are ''in vivo'' (Latin for "within the living"; often not italicized in English) are those in which the effects of various biological entities are tested on whole, living organisms or cells, usually animals, including humans, an ...

'' (using a living organism) tests have been carried out, but no

double-blind In a blind or blinded experiment, information which may influence the participants of the experiment is withheld until after the experiment is complete. Good blinding can reduce or eliminate experimental biases that arise from a participants' expec ...

anti-wrinkle studies are available. In a 2012 double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigating treatment of

blepharospasm Blepharospasm is a neurological disorder characterized by intermittent, involuntary spasms and contractions of the orbicularis oculi muscle, orbicularis oculi (eyelid) muscles around both eyes. These result in abnormal twitching or blinking, an ...

(abnormal contraction or twitch of the eyelid), botulinum toxin injections with subsequent acetyl hexapeptide-3 treatment were compared to botulinum toxin injections with placebo cream treatment. Of the 12 patients in the acetyl hexapeptide-3 group, four experienced an extension of symptom control by 3.3 to 7.1 months.

Safety research

The 2012 study concluded there were no significant adverse effects. Patients receiving botulinum toxin injections exhibited longer times until return to baseline symptoms when supported with daily application of acetyl hexapeptide-8.

Chemistry

Acetyl hexapeptide-8 is the hexapeptide with the sequence Ac- Glu-Glu- Met- Gln- Arg-Arg-NH₂.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 Hexapeptides Cosmetics chemicals