Low-Molecular Marine Collagen Peptides (Hair & Scalp)

Addressing hair damage is essential for maintaining overall hair and scalp health. Previous studies have suggested that low-molecular-weight collagen peptides may support hair follicle biology through regulation of extracellular matrix homeostasis and cellular signaling pathways. In addition, recent preclinical studies have demonstrated that low-molecular-weight fish collagen peptides promote hair regrowth through activation of proliferative signaling and suppression of inhibitory pathways. However, their clinical efficacy in improving hair damage has not been clearly established. In this study, the efficacy and safety of low-molecular-weight collagen peptide GT (LMWCP GT) were evaluated in Korean adults with damaged hair. In a randomized,

Bioadhesives in surgery are receiving increasing attention because of their ease of handling and desirable ability to promote wound closure; however, their mechanical mismatch with skin tissue and insufficient multifunctionality hinder clinical application. A mechanically compliant, multifunctional bioadhesive hydrogel (PATF) composed of polyacrylamide (PAM), alginate (Alg), tannic acid (TA), and ferric chloride (FeCl₃) has been developed for rapid wound repair. The covalently crosslinked PAM network provides structural integrity, while multiple noncovalent interactions (Alg/Fe³⁺ ionic bonds, hydrogen bonds, and TA/Fe³⁺ coordination) endows the hydrogel with skin-like modulus (∼25 kPa), improved toughness (328.9 kJ/m³), ultra-stretchability (∼2500% strain), and low hysteresis (<21%). PATF hydrogel exhibits outstanding conformational adhesion with the skin surface, 5.25-fold stronger than that of commercial 3M Tegaderm, and can be readily detached on demand in the presence of FeCl3 solution. Furthermore, multifunction involving antioxidant capacity, photothermal therapy-mediated antibacterial efficacy, comparable conductivity to native skin tissues, and superior hemostatic performance enables PATF hydrogel (with near-infrared irradiation) to suppress inflammation, promote collagen deposition, and enhance angiogenesis, collectively accelerating healing of infected full-thickness skin wounds within 7 days. These integrated mechanically and bio

Collagen peptides have been widely studied for their beneficial effects on skin health; however, their potential role in hair growth remains insufficiently explored. This study aimed to investigate the effects of orally administered low-molecular-weight fish collagen peptide (SH-GT) on hair regrowth and its underlying mechanisms in a hair-removed C57BL/6J mouse model. Mice were administered SH-GT (100, 300, or 600 mg/kg body weight) or a positive control (Pansidil, 400 mg/kg) daily for 28 days. SH-GT significantly enhanced hair regrowth, as evidenced by the increased hair growth area. Histological analysis revealed increased dermal thickness and visible hair follicle structures in SH-GT-treated groups. At the molecular level, SH-GT upregulated proliferation-related proteins, including PCNA and Cyclin D1, and activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling. In addition, SH-GT enhanced PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling, suggesting improved cellular growth and survival. Conversely, SH-GT suppressed hair growth inhibitory pathways by reducing BMP4 expression and decreasing Smad phosphorylation. Furthermore, SH-GT increased the mRNA expression of growth factors such as IGF-1, HGF, VEGF, EGF, and FGF7. In conclusion, SH-GT promotes hair regrow

Although herbal and bioactive wound dressings are known to promote healing, integrated dressings combining both agents for burn wounds have not been reported. The present study describes the development of a novel herbal biphasic gel (bigel) uniquely combining fish-derived bioactive collagen peptides with phytochemical rich Aloe vera and virgin coconut oil addressing critical limitations of conventional hydrogels and organogels. Among the five formulations, F4 (80:20) hydrogel: organogel (v/v) demonstrated optimal pH, stability and spreadability. It also demonstrated sustained collagen peptide release (97.7%, p < 0.0001) over 18 h following diffusion-controlled kinetics. In vitro studies confirmed its exceptional biocompatibility, demonstrating 100% cell viability, minimal hemolysis (4–6%), excellent antioxidant activity and significant cell migration (91.39% ± 1.95%, p < 0.0001) at 1 mg/ml within 12 h. In vivo studies on male albino Wistar rats with deep partial-thickness burns showed substantial wound healing, with F4-treated wounds reducing to 0.3 cm (p < 0.0001) by day 30, compared to 0.8 cm (p < 0.0001) with Silverex® (positive control) and 1.5 cm in untreated control. Histopathological analysis further supported these findings, revealing enhanced skin regeneration characterized by extensive collagen deposition, new blood vessel formation, and hair follicle development. These findings establish F4 bigel as a paradigm shift towards cost-effective, sus

Introduction: Non-healing diabetic foot ulcers often result in amputation and reduced quality of life. The study objective was to develop and evaluate a novel fish skin-derived acellular dermal matrix (FSADM) for diabetic wound-healing applications, addressing these challenges. Methods: FSADM was fabricated from yellow fin tuna (Thunnus albacares) skin using a decellularization and lyophilization process. The matrix was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). In vitro biocompatibility was assessed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays with L929 fibroblasts and hemocompatibility tests. In vivo, biocompatibility was evaluated through subcutaneous implantation in Sprague-Dawley rats. Wound-healing efficacy was assessed in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model with full-thickness excisional wounds, comparing FSADM with commercial alternatives and untreated controls. Results: FTIR analysis confirmed the preservation of collagen structure in FSADM. In vitro studies demonstrated cytocompatibility with L929 cells and minimal haemolytic activity (0.68 ± 0.034%). Subcutaneous implantation demonstrated good biocompatibility, with a progressive reduction in the inflammator

Hair growth is orchestrated by a complex cycle comprising the anagen, catagen, telogen, and exogen phases that are largely regulated by dermal papilla cells (DPCs). The disruption of oxidative balance and inflammation impairs follicle function and regeneration. Fermented yeast complex extract (FYCE) is a bioactive material derived from enzymatically hydrolyzed yeast and collagen substrates through a two-step fermentation with Lactobacillus brevis and Lactobacillus plantarum, enriched in antioxidant amino acids such as γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and L-alanine. In this study, we evaluated the effect of FYCE on hair regrowth, with a focus on its modulation of oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-treated DPCs. FYCE treatment significantly enhanced NRF2 expression (3.2-fold compared to H2O2-treated DPCs), a central transcription factor controlling antioxidant defense, and concomitantly suppressed NF-κB activity (0.6-fold compared to H2O2-treated DPCs), a key mediator of inflammation. Importantly, FYCE also attenuated the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, as evidenced by the decreased expression levels of its molecular components. Compl

Hair loss is characterized by reduced hair thickness, decreased density, and delayed growth and is associated with factors such as aging, stress, and environmental influences. This study investigated the effects of Gly-Pro-Val-Gly-Pro-Ser low molecular weight fish collagen peptide (FC) on improving hair health and alleviating hair loss. Human dermal papilla cells and C57BL/6 mice were used as experimental models. Mice were administered FC at doses of 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg body weight, followed by protein and RNA analyses and histological evaluations. The results showed that FC significantly increased the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, PCNA, Hepatocyte growth factor, endothelial growth factor, and insulin-like growth factor 1, which play essential roles in hair follicle growth and regeneration. Additionally, FC administration reduced the expression of specific proteins negatively associated with hair health. Histological and morphological analyses revealed that FC enhanced hair follicle size, density, and overall hair quality. These findings suggest that FC may promote hair growth and regeneration.

BACKGROUND: Hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) play crucial roles in hair growth and are expected to be potential targets in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. METHOD: This study aims to investigate the positive effect on hair growth by the recombinant human collagen complex (RHC complex), composed of rhCOL III, rhCOL XVII, and rhCOL XXI, along with nicotinamide, both in vitro and in vivo, by HFSCs and rat models. The survival rate, function, and differentiation of HFSCs were investigated. RESULTS: The CCK-8 experiment showed that the RHC complex was non-toxic to HFSCs, and the cell survival rate exceeded 80% after 8 and 16 h of treatment. The ELISA method showed that the RHC complex significantly increased the intracellular vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels. In addition, the increase in the content of trichohyalin (a key structural protein of hair) indicates that the structure and function of hair follicles may be enhanced. The expression levels of β-integrin and p63 were significantly upregulated, which are crucial for cell adhesion, migration, and maintenance of HFSCs homeostasis. In the rat model, significant hair growth was observed after a 7-day treatment period. The period of vigorous hair growth in rats was selected for immunofluorescence, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining analysis. The results showed that the RHC complex could promote the expression of I

9. J Drugs Dermatol. 2025 Mar 1;24(3):233-238. doi: 10.36849/JDD.8611. Artificial Intelligence-Based Personalization of Treatment Regimen for Hair Loss: A 6-Month Clinical Trial. Bhardwaj V, Rodgers N, Harth O, Harth Y. Hair loss affects up to 50% of women and 80% of men. The high costs and wait times for professional consultations lead many to seek one-size-fits-all solutions that are frequently ineffective. This study tested an artificial intelligence (AI) model for customizing non-medicated hair loss treatments. In a 24-week trial, 38 women with self-reported hair thinning received personalized product kits based on AI analysis of scalp images and questionnaires. Treatments included various combinations of topical serums, shampoos, oral supplements, and marine collagen peptides. Of the 27 participants who completed the study, significant improvements were observed in hair growth, coverage, and thickness (P&lt;0.001 for all). Hair shedding decreased by 37.3% at 12 weeks and 32.4% at 24 weeks. Scalp transepidermal water loss was reduced by 61.5% at 12 weeks and 69% at 24 weeks. Scanning electron microscopy showed improved hair texture. Participants reported overall hair improvement (88.9%), better scalp health (85.2%), and less hair brittleness (92.6%) (P&lt;0.001 for all). No adverse events were reported. The AI-driven platform effectively delivered personalized hair loss treatments, suggesting a data-driven, customized, and accessible self-served alternative for hair loss management. J Drugs Dermatol. 2025;24(3):233-238. doi:10.36849/JDD.8611.

10. Int J Pharm. 2024 Jan 25;650:123629. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.123629. Epub 2023 Nov 20. An androgenetic alopecia remedy based on marine collagen peptide-incorporated dissolving microneedles. Zheng W(1), Wang F(1), Tao N(2), Wang X(2), Jin X(3), Zhang C(4), Xu C(5). Author information: (1)College of Food Science & Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Molecular Engineering of Chiral Drugs, State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dong Chuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China; Suzhou Qinpu Biotechnology Pte Ltd, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province 215215, China. (2)College of Food Science & Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquatic-Product Processing & Preservation, Shanghai 201306, China; Laboratory of Quality and Safety Risk Assessment for Aquatic Products on Storage and Preservation, Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai 201306, China; National R & D Branch Center for Freshwater Aquatic Products Processing Technology, Shanghai 201306, China. (3)School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Molecular Engineering of Chiral Drugs, State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dong Chuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China. Electronic address: [email protected]. (4)School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Molecular Engineering of Chiral Drugs, State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dong Chuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China. Electronic address: [email protected]. (5)College of Food Science & Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquatic-Product Processing & Preservation, Shanghai 201306, China; Laboratory of Quality and Safety Risk Assessment for Aquatic Products on Storage and Pres

Erratum in J Microbiol Biotechnol. 2024 Apr 28;34(4):985-986. doi: 10.4014/jmb.2024.3404.985. Low molecular weight collagen peptide (LMWCP) is a collagen hydrolysate derived from fish. We investigated the effects of LMWCP on hair growth using human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs), human hair follicles (hHFs), patch assay, and telogenic C57BL/6 mice, while also examining the underlying mechanisms of its action. LMWCP promoted proliferation and mitochondrial potential, and the secretion of hair growth-related factors, such as EGF, HB-EGF, FGF-4, and FGF-6 in hDPCs. Patch assay showed that LMWCP increased the neogeneration of new HFs in a dose-dependent manner. This result correlated with an increase in the expression of dermal papilla (DP) signature genes such as, ALPL, SHH, FGF7, and BMP-2. LMWCP upregulated phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) and β-catenin, and nuclear translocation of β-catenin, and it increased the expression of Wnt3a, LEF1, VEGF, ALP, and β-catenin. LMWCP promoted the growth of hHFs and increased the expression of β-catenin and VEGF. Oral administration of LMWCP to mice significantly stimulated hair growth. The expression of Wnt3a, β-catenin, PCNA, Cyclin D1, and VEGF was also elevated in the back skin of the mice. Furthermore, LMWCP increased the expression of cytokeratin and Keratin Type I and II. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that LMWCP has the potential to increase hair growth via activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Fish-derived collagen hydrolysate (CH) has shown promise in improving hair and skin health. Therefore, this study sought to comprehensively assess the effects of CH extracted from Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) scales on hair and skin using in vitro and in vivo models. Human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs) were used for antioxidant and gene expression analyses, while C57BL/6 mice were orally administered CH for six weeks to assess hair growth patterns. The mice were divided into four groups: negative control (NC; distilled water), positive control (PC; 1 mg/kg finasteride), CH500 (500 mg/kg BW CH), and CH1000 (1000 mg/kg BW CH). CH mitigated catalase activity reduction in hDPCs, increased IGF-1 and VEGF levels, and decreased TGF-β1, TNF-α, and IL-1β expression. In vivo, CH treatment improved hair growth index, length, diameter, weight, and density. Scanning electron microscopy revealed reduced hair damage. Moreover, CH up-regulated IGF-1, VEGF, Elastin, and HAS2 mRNA expression while down-regulating TNF-α and IL-1β. CH enhanced hair shine, growth, and skin health while alleviating inflammation. These findings demonstrate the potential of CH in alleviating oxidative stress, promoting hair growth, and enhancing skin health, both in vitro and in vivo. Fish-derived CH offers a cost-effective and bioavailable option for improving hair and skin health.

Peptide self-assembling materials have received significant attention from researchers in recent years, emerging as a popular field in biological, environmental, medical, and other new materials studies. In this study, we utilized controllable enzymatic hydrolysis technology (animal proteases) to obtain supramolecular peptide self-assembling materials (CAPs) from the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas). We conducted physicochemical analyses to explore the pro-healing mechanisms of CAPs on skin wounds in both in vitro and in vivo experiments through a topical application. The results demonstrated that CAPs exhibit a pH-responsive behavior for self-assembly and consist of peptides ranging from 550 to 2300 Da in molecular weight, with peptide chain lengths of mainly 11-16 amino acids. In vitro experiments indicated that CAPs display a procoagulant effect, free radical scavenging activity, and promote the proliferation of HaCaTs (112.74% and 127.61%). Moreover, our in vivo experiments demonstrated that CAPs possess the ability to mitigate inflammation, boost fibroblast proliferation, and promote revascularization, which accelerates the epithelialization process. Consequently, a balanced collagen I/III ratio in the repaired tissue and the promotion of hair follicle regeneration were observed. With these remarkable findings, CAPs can be regarded as a natural and secure treatment option with high efficacy for skin wound healing. The potential of CAPs to be further developed for traceless skin wound healing is an exciting area for future research and development.

The skin is the largest organ of the human body, composed of a diverse range of cell types, non-cellular components, and an extracellular matrix. With aging, molecules that are part of the extracellular matrix undergo qualitative and quantitative changes and the effects, such as a loss of skin firmness or wrinkles, can be visible. The changes caused by the aging process do not only affect the surface of the skin, but also extend to skin appendages such as hair follicles. In the present study, the ability of marine-derived saccharides, L-fucose and chondroitin sulphate disaccharide, to support skin and hair health and minimize the effects of intrinsic and extrinsic aging was investigated. The potential of the tested samples to prevent adverse changes in the skin and hair through stimulation of natural processes, cellular proliferation, and production of extracellular matrix components collagen, elastin, or glycosaminoglycans was investigated. The tested compounds, L-fucose and chondroitin sulphate disaccharide, supported skin and hair health, especially in terms of anti-aging effects. The obtained results indicate that both ingredients support and promote the proliferation of dermal fibroblasts and dermal papilla cells, provide cells with a supply of sulphated disaccharide GAG building blocks, increase ECM molecule production (collagen and elastin) by HDFa, and support the growth phase of the hair cycle (anagen).

BACKGROUND: Oral supplementation with some amino acids (like methionine, taurine, and cysteine) could be useful in subjects with hair loss conditions such as androgenic alopecia (AGA or FAGA) or telogen effluvium (TE). Hydrolysed collagen (HC) oral supplementation has demonstrated to have beneficial effects on nail and skin health and could improve hair growth. A food supplement in tablet formulation containing hydrolysed fish-origin collagen (300 mg/dose), taurine, cysteine, methionine, iron, and selenium has been recently available. To date no controlled data are available regarding the clinical efficacy of this product as adjuvant to hair loss specific treatments in these clinical conditions. STUDY AIMS: To evaluate and compare the efficacy and tolerability of an oral supplementation based on HC and amino acids in subjects with hair loss due to AGA/FAGA or chronic TE in combination with drug treatments in comparison with drug treatments alone. METHODS AND SUBJECTS: In a prospective, 12-week, randomized, assessor-blinded controlled trial 83 subjects (mean age 41 ± 16 years; 26 men and 57 women) were enrolled in the study. Fifty-nine subjects suffered from

The market demand for marine-based cosmetics has shown a tremendous growth rate in the last decade. Marine resources represent a promising source of novel bioactive compounds for new cosmetic ingredient development. However, concern about sustainability also becomes an issue that should be considered in developing cosmetic ingredients. The fisheries industry (e.g., fishing, farming, and processing) generates large amounts of leftovers containing valuable substances, which are potent sources of cosmeceutical ingredients. Several bioactive substances could be extracted from the marine by-product that can be utilized as a potent ingredient to develop cosmetics products. Those bioactive substances (e.g., collagen from fish waste and chitin from crustacean waste) could be utilized as anti-photoaging, anti-wrinkle, skin barrier, and hair care products. From this perspective, this review aims to approach the potential active ingredients derived from marine by-products for cosmetics and discuss the possible activity of those active ingredients in promoting human beauty. In addition, this review also covers the prospect and challenge of using marine by-products toward the emerging concept of sustainable blue cosmetics.

Fish-derived collagen has recently emerged as an alternative collagen source with bioactive properties, including the enhancement of hair and skin health. It is also cost-effective and has high bioavailability, in addition to having fewer side-effects compared to collagen from porcine skin or bovine skin. Collagen peptides (CPs) extracted from the scales of Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) reportedly promote hair and skin health. This study sought to evaluate the effects of CPs on hair growth using in vitro and in vivo models. CP significantly enhanced hair regrowth and the proliferation of human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs) in vitro. CP was orally administered to C57BL/6 mice for 6 weeks to confirm the hair-growth-promoting effects. The mice were divided into four groups: negative control (distilled water), positive control (1 mg/kg of finasteride), CP500 (500 mg/kg of CP), and CP1000 (1000 mg/kg of CP). CP treatment significantly enhanced the proliferation of hDPCs compared to 0.2 μM finasteride, in addition to enhancing hair regrowth. Particularly, CP1000 treatment achieved a hair-growth index similar to that of the PC. In H&E staining, the CP groups exhibited a high A/T ratio. Furthermore, CP increased the expression of hair growth factors (IGF-1, VEGF, krt27, Gprc5d, and Ki67) and decreased the growth inhibitory factor (TGF-β1). Furthermore, CP significantly upregulated the Wnt/β-catenin pathways and downregulated the BMP pathways. Therefore, these results indicate that CP could be used as food supplements and nutraceuticals for hair loss prevention as well as hair regrowth during alopecia.

Oral administration of peptides/proteins with superior efficacy and fewer side effects is the most advantageous route of administration. In this study, we utilized controllable enzymatic (animal protease) hydrolysis technology to prepare active polypeptide self-assembling supramolecular (APs) from marine shellfish meat to explore the functional mechanism of APs in in vitro and in vivo (oral administration) experiments . In vitro experiments revealed that APs with self-assembly tendency had multifunctional activities. In vivo experiments indicated that oral administration of naturally safe APs could inhibited inflammation, promoted fibroblast proliferation and revascularization, and accelerated the epithelialization process, thus favoring a balanced repair tissue collagen I/III ratio and the promotion of hair follicle regeneration to achieve scarless healing, which was also relevant to "skin-gut" axis. These results showed that APs, as demonstrated in this study, promoted dermal wound healing in mice and may be developed and used to treat skin wounds.

Non-inflammatory alopecia is a frequent skin problem in dogs, causing damaged coat integrity and compromised appearance of affected individuals. In this study, we examined the Cesky Fousek breed, which displays atypical recurrent flank alopecia (aRFA) at a high frequency. This type of alopecia can be quite severe and is characterized by seasonal episodes of well demarcated alopecic areas without hyperpigmentation. The genetic component responsible for aRFA remains unknown. Thus, here we aimed to identify variants involved in aRFA using a combination of histological, genomic, and transcriptomic data. We showed that aRFA is histologically similar to recurrent flank alopecia, characterized by a lack of anagen hair follicles and the presence of severely shortened telogen or kenogen hair follicles. We performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) using 216 dogs phenotyped for aRFA and identified associations on chromosomes 19, 8, 30, 36, and 21, highlighting 144 candidate genes, which suggests a polygenic basis for aRFA. By comparing the skin cell transcription pattern of six

AIMS: Chitosan and epidermal growth factor (EGF) have been shown to improve wound healing. This study investigates the healing effects of a spray solution (NewEpi, JoyCom Bio-Chem Co. Ltd., Taiwan) containing recombinant human EGF (rhEGF) delivered via a newly patented technology-chitosan microencapsulated nanoparticles. METHODS: On Wistar rats, two full-thickness wounds on the dorsum bilateral of the spine were created. The rats were randomised to the following treatment groups: hydrogel, wet dressing, foam, rhEGF spray and rhEGF spray+foam. Sterile dressings were applied and changed daily. A total of 2μg of rhEGF was administered in two sprays during each dressing change. All animals were euthanised on day 14. Tissue samples were taken from the wound bed, including an area of 2cm surrounding the wound margin for histological evaluations. RESULTS: Wounds treated with the rhEGF spray achieved the greatest size reduction by day 14 compared with other types of conventional dressings. An overall significant difference in levels of collagen synthesis existed between groups (p<0.01). Pair-wise comparisons showed that the rhEGF spray treatment significantly promoted higher levels of matur